February 2012 Notable Toys — Animal Figures

Kids love our backpacks and lunch boxes, but hugging a backpack isn't much fun. So we've made some of our favorite forest creatures into squishable, squeezable, stuffed toys. These furry guys are sized for maximum huggability and are suitable for kids of all ages. There's no plastic or other little pieces that might be swallowed. Tested lead free and phthalate free. Launch date: December 2011.

Looking deceptively like a domestic cat, the bobcat remains wild at heart as it hunts through the night for prey. Bring the wonder of nature to kids' fingertips with this Bobcat Finger Puppet from Folkmanis. Launch date: July 2011.

This little crimson bird is waiting to perch on kids' hands. Bring the wonder of nature to children fingertips with this Cardinal Finger Puppet from Folkmanis. 5.5" long. Launch date: July 2011.
— In a May 2012 survey, four out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Folkmanis was their best selling brand of plush or puppets.

Kids learn how to recognize animals through sight and sound with the Little People Zoo Talkers Animal Sounds Zoo from Fisher-Price. This interactive set recognizes model animals, like the included lion, gorilla, and polar bear, names them out loud for children, and demonstrates the noises they make in the wild.
— As of 11/04/2011 this product was $34.88 on Amazon.com.
— As of 11/04/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 12 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Cute; interactive; large; handle is useful for transporting it. Cons: Extra animal figures are expensive; one person reported missing/defective pieces came in her box; animal sounds can be annoying and even though children seem to like them, they don't add much educational value to the toy.

Annual plush bear for Amazon from Gund. Limited edition-2011 only. Soft and huggable. For children of all ages.

13" Soft, huggable plush. Push Chica's belly and she squeaks. Clean with a damp, soapy cloth and fluff dry. Launch date: November 2011.