IMHO, saying that "Dad makes teddies" is simply a manipulative form of "Man makes toys" is just drawing arbitrary lines on the spectrum of the descriptiveness of language. It primes the reader for a more light-hearted, cute story, rather than a factual retelling of a series of events. Evoking emotional !== being manipulative. It _can_ mean that, but just because something tugs at our heart strings doesn't mean we are being manipulated.

Further, why not consider that "Man makes toys" is just a manipulative form of "Dad makes teddies"? Sure that primes us just as much as "Dad makes teddies", just in the other direction, no?

EDIT: Rereading this it sounds like I'm coming at you, or the OP, but I'm not :) Just thinking out loud in response to your comment!