March 2009 Notable Toys — Plush

Fiesta plush toys presents the new kids on the block with Fiesta Kidz™ a line of plush 7” animals that look like their parents, but with juvenile animal baby features. Jungle and zoo animals like the monkey, giraffe, elephant, panda, tiger, and white tiger. Wildlife black bear and brown bear. Domestic kitten and puppy. Each has a special woven label to signify its authenticity as a collectible. (10) styles. Ages 3+

Manufacturer's Description: Displayed like a box of fine chocolates, these delicious plush darlings are all of 4" tall and come wrapped in a velvety smooth drawstring bag. There is a palm sized soft character for every occasiob: teddy bears in caramel, chocolate, honey or pink, a monkey, a pink pig with wings, a panda bear, a pink kitten, a lion, a prayer bear, an elephant and a puppy. There are 14 specific words or phrases of inspiration to choose from, "Get Well Soon", "It's a Boy", "It's a Girl", "Happy Birthday" for boy or girl, "Happy Graduation", "Thank You", "Thinking of You", "Courage", "Faith", "Hope", "Best Friends", "Love" and "Prayer". Each colorful drawstring bag is intricately embroidered with the word or phrase as well as a coordinating logo or icon. For example the white bag scripted with "Hope", also has an embroidered pink daisy. Launch date: Spring 2009.

Timmy Tock is an interactive learn-and-play clock doll that helps children learn the basic elements of daily time. The soft, plush clock comes with more than 40 accessories, plus a reverse section to apply all the different "Tell the Time" components. This product is both a cuddly toy and a practical teaching aid, and is suitable for one-on-one "Learn and Play" as well as larger group teaching activities. Launch date: January 5, 2009.

No drippy mess with these delectable ice creams. Play and share three icy desserts, including a waffle ice cream sandwich, dairy ice cream “Spirello” plus a “Big Choc” popsicle. Launch date: February 2009.

PB & J no longer rules at lunch; big kids need a baguette. Watch
them ponder over the many stuffings to make one delicious snack. Includes baguette, 3 slices of cheese, 4 slices of salami, 2 onion rings, 2 leaves of lettuce plus 2 tomato slices. Launch date: Feburary 2009.

Everyone will want to pet Paulina with her soft velour body and chenille
mane and tail. Look at her hooves made of corduroy. This pink horse comes with a grey removable saddle and bridle complete with a (magnetic) flower. Launch date: February 2009.

This bulldog, made of 100-percent synthetic fur, simulates breathing as its tummy rises and falls, and comes with the following: a collar with tag, a bed and carrier, a brush, an adoption certificate and one D alkaline battery.

This 14" plush friend is known for overreacting and isn't known to look before he leaps. Launch date: February 10, 2009.

Ze Super Heroes have super powers ... but they also have flaws that negate those powers. Zonk the Monkey, for instance, is a self-proclaimed "super climber," yet he's also afraid of heights. There are 6 Ze Superheroes so far. You can clean them by surface washing only. Launch date: 2009.

Webkinz Jr. features its own website where smaller boys and girls can play age-appropriate games chosen by their parents. This 12", super-soft Kitty comes with her own secret code that little tots can use to access the online play space.  Launch date: Spring 2009.

Now little boys and girls can be like their big brothers and sisters, with their very own Webkinz toy, Webkinz Jr.  “Webkinz Jr. is a world for younger children to discover, where learning and daily activities can be chosen by parents to meet their child’s needs," explained Howard Ganz, president of Ganz. "The site is bright, welcoming and easy to explore, with music, familiar environments and lots to do with every visit.”  The 12", super-soft Webkinz Jr. Monkey comes with its own code so kids can enter an online play world. Launch date: Spring 2009.

This big, soft 12" version of Webkinz is designed for younger children. Each plush animal comes with a secret code granting pet owners access to an online world. The interactive experience will include music, laughter and new characters in a fun and educational environment. Launch date: Late Spring 2009.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

This colorful set of four knit cupcakes is completely made by hand. The wrappers are made to peel down, and the cupcakes come in a fabric box.

The 8" Rain Babies feature bean-filled plush bodies and embroidered faces, and come with an adoption certificate plus a collectible hangtag that includes the raindrops name and the date it was formed. Four styles are available: Drench (blue), Sprinkle (pink), Splash (yellow) and Dewy (green).

This soft, satin-edged, 13" x 13" blanket features a Beagle head as well as a plush tail and soft paws. It is perfect for toting around and is also available in Golden Retriever, Dalmatian, Yellow Lab and German Pointer varieties. Launch date: March 2008.

These additions to Aurora’s furry, loveable YooHoo line are 8" Sugar Glider, Panda, Penguin and Lesser Panda. Each cuddly plush character makes a distinctive and funny sound when its tummy is squeezed.  Sugar Glider has pink wings attached to her tiny arms and tail, and makes a "whistle” sound). Lesser Panda features a pink and purple striped tail to match his pink button nose and purple body, and makes a “boing” sound. Panda makes a “giggle” noise when squeezed, and Penguin makes a “magical” noise.
— “I would say it would be the YooHoo dolls from Aurora — by sheer quantity, our best seller in plush,” Jason Curtis, owner of Funtopia in Middletown, Calif., told TDmonthly in May 2009.

Aurora’s charismatic Dilly Dallys line includes eight different animals. Mousey, Alley Cat and Howler (14” MSRP $14.99) feature different patches embroidered on their bellies and feet. The patches represent a characteristic of each animal. For example, Howler the Monkey features a banana; Alley Cat, a fish bone; and Mousey, a slice of cheese. Howler and Alley Cat’s uneven smiles or Mousey’s charming, oversized front tooth will put smiles on the faces of children and adults alike. The other Dilly Dallys — Laramie Lion, B.B. Bear, Woesome Wolf, Harry Hound and Darius Donkey (16” MSRP $17.99) — feature sleepy eyes and curious grins and are the perfect huggable day or nighttime buddy for children ages two and up.

Puffee Luvs are nearly impossible to put down once you start holding and cuddling them. Puffee Luvs (6”, MSRP: $5.50) include a kitty, pig, cow, bear, bunny and elephant. Perfect for kids of all ages, each of the cuddly animals is bean-filled and machine washable and soft enough for nap time.

Aurora inked a deal to produce an exclusive plush product line for Stephan Pastis’ Pearls Before Swine, the hit cartoon comic strip syndicated in more than 550 newspapers worldwide. Aurora’s Pearls plush product line will initially include seven pieces. The free standing, 12 inch plush includes Rat, Pig, and Croc (MSRP: $10.99). Buyers won’t be able to resist the smaller 8-inch pieces, which include Rat, Pig, Croc and Zebra (pictured, MSRP: $6.99). You can "meet" Stephan Pastis by watching the video, taken at Toy Fair 2009.

Snuggle Buddy is a plush toy and security blanket that offers play and soothing and tactile benefits. It is a wonderful gift that grows with baby and becomes a comforting companion for months, even years. Winner of the 2010 Top Choice of the Year Award and the 2010 Seal of Excellence Award from Creative Child Magazine.

For fans of all ages, mascot backpacks are designed to depict a favorite team's mascot. Each is made of a quality plush material and comes with adjustable nylon straps and a zippered storage compartment. Launch date: August 2008.

These plush pet beds are a fluffy, fashionable and fun addition to the Pawparazzi line. They are available in Leopard Print and Pink & Black styles. "Accessories like our Plush Pet Beds expand the Pawparazzi play experience and bring girls into the world of these miniature superstar pets in a way other plush toys don't," Susan DeCoste, marketing manager for Noodle Head, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2006.

This set is filled with pets, purses, fashion and more — everything little girls need to spark their imaginations and pamper their favorite celebrity pets. It includes two pet sets, two dress-up sets, two plush pet beds, a doggy dining set and the Hotel Pawparazzi playset and carrying case. "Pawparazzi pets’ unique personalities (artists, writers, actors and more!) encourage young girls to use their imaginations to unlock and explore the exciting world of these tiny superstars. The pets inspire individual expression and creativity and encourage social interaction and collaborative play with friends at birthdays, parties and play dates," Susan DeCoste, marketing manager for Noodle Head, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008.

The Pilloroo is the pillow with the surprise pouch. Each pillow has a zippered pocket at the top that opens to a hidden pocket big enough for a small toy, book or remote control. The pillow is stuffed just enough so kids can’t feel the toy from the outside. There are eight themes for girls and eight themes for boys. Each Pilloroo comes with a toy that coordinates with the theme. "The Pilloroo is the best hiding spot for kids!" President Vicky McQuoid of Pilloroo Designs told TDmonthly. This product received a 2008 Mom's Best Award. Launch date: September 2008.