There aren't too many toys to choose from for this age range but I agree, anything with sounds and bright colours. I've bought a couple of vtech things too. A nursery rhyme book and a radio that has a flashing light and things that you can twiddle. It plays nursery rhymes. Isaac loves anything with sound at the moment. I can't wait until I can buy something a bit more interesting to play with but these things seem to amuse him.
I've also got Stanley Snail from Mamas & Papas which he likes. He can hold on to Stanleys tenticles now.
A rainmaker toy from the early learning centre is THE best toy when he's crying, it really calms him down.