December 2008 Notable Toys — Plush

The First Lady of the "Pancake Puppies" collection, HotCakes is dolled up in shades of pinks and reds, and garnished with cherries and a silk bow for her blond hair.

Silver Dollar is the imagination of a plate of small pancakes from the kitchen as a stack of silver coins from the kitchen's vault.

The cute little infants will warm the hearts of parents both young and old. Complete with bonnets and pacifiers, they are easy to care for. Diapers included too.

With a banana over his head to top things off, Banana Cakes' yellow appearance makes this silly character full of bananas.

It's cuteness rolled into three. Three adorable pups are wrapped in pancake blankets. Cute little faces on one side and irresistible tails and paws sticking out the other. Pigs in a Blanket never had it so good.

One of 10 new breeds of ultra soft, floppy pups with realistic features, more poseability, and fine detail.
— Kelly Ratoff, manager of Kennebunk Toy Co., in Kennebunk, Me., says the store sells approximately 36 to 40 Douglas stuffed dogs per month.

Quilti Dogs and Horses are a bouquet of fresh, new color to enhance a room, give as a gift, or carry in your backpack as a pal...Two sizes, Two styles.  Fanfare Horse comes in multiple prints and two sizes. Minty Mini Quilti Dog (Lil' Buds) comes in multiple prints and two sizes.

This plush, one of several new items in the GIANTmicrobes line, represents West Nile virus. It measures 5" to 7".

Another loveable face for the Folkmanis line of pooches, the popular labrador is known as a loyal breed. This puppy has a movable mouth to give out big puppy kisses.
— “The workmanship and expression” of Folkmanis’ puppets makes the company a favorite of Fran Anaya, owner of Golden Aspen Toys in Flagstaff, Ariz., she told TDmonthly in fall 2008, when more than 11 percent of 52 retailers named the company as a preferred vendor.

The Folkmanis BLACK BEAR CUB is an unbearably cute 15-inch puppet. Just the right amount of stuffing makes this cub a snuggly teddy bear but with additional play value – it has a movable mouth and front paws. Made of silky soft fabric, Black Bear Cub has safe, soft, vinyl claws, a smooth, suede-like nose and paws and a contrasting brown snout. His facial features bring an innocence only found in little cubs.

Past Videos: Toy Fair 2009

KooKeys offers a line of plush animals with online, interactive digital counterparts known as the Virtual Koo. Each plush KooKey comes with a special key that unlocks the online world for children to explore, interact, play, and learn. Launch date: 2007.

This fun gift basket for boys includes the following: a velour, reversible dog-and-cat hat, baby keys, a blue picture block, a puppy crinkler and a mother-and-baby-lamb toy that plays "Imagine." This gift basket is only available to consumers via the Rich Frog website; individual items are available at wholesale prices. Launch date: 2008.

These colorful, animal-shaped shoulder bags come in three puppy designs and five pony styles. Each zips closed and also has an outside pocket. Launch date: March 2009.

The plush, animal-shaped backpack is available in three varieties: 16" Panda, 15" Black Bear and 16" Red Panda. Launch date: March 2009.

This fuzzy creature comes with a code to access Webkinz World online. The bear’s special item in the virtual world is the cave bed, and it’s special food is honey bee roast.
—  Seven of 68 specialty retailers named Webkinz as a best seller in their stores in October 2008.
—  Mary Walsh-Martel, owner of Magical Child in Greenfield, Mass., cited sales of about 80 units per month.
— "Even though it's slowing down, it's still on top, with about 150 a month," Pam Byrd, manager of The Little Cottage Toy Shop in Franklin, Tenn., told TDmonthly about the best-selling Webkinz in her store in early 2009.

Handmade Zooguu animals provide endless hours of imaginative play for children of all ages. Zooguu love to go on adventures, and they make the most trustworthy of friends. "Every Zooguu is designed and handmade with love in Brooklyn, New York, by Jen and Brian Gubicza. Zooguu comes in a variety of designs, sizes and colors; with plastic features for ages 3+, or with embroidered features for kids of all ages," Owner Jen Gubicza of Zooguu LLC told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 18, 2008.

Pakicetus-Squalodon is the first of Evolvems, evolutionary transforming plush toys, to be developed. Pakicetus-Squalodon represents an amazing evolutionary transition that led to all modern whales. Whales, which are mammals not fish, developed from land mammals that began to venture further and further into the ocean for a meal and protection from predators.

This 14"-long edgy canine features black and grey markings, a toothy grin and a half-winking eye. Sly 9 Junior (9" long) has an MSRP of $8.95. Launch date: Early 2009.

Crafted from 100% Australian sheepskin, this Flat Friend is made in the shape of a Seal Pup and comes with a gift card that tells you all about the animal in 8 different languages. The Seal Pup is part of a range of animals made in the shape of endangered species. There are 22 animals in the range and they all come with either a carry bag or drawstring bag with a character illustration of the animal. The Flat Friend Seal Pup can be purchased by itself or with a 100% cotton carry bag or drawstring bag with an illustration of the Seal Pup. Passes ASTM standards.

Packaged together are the Flat Friends Crocodile made from Australian sheepskin and a 100% cotton carry bag with an illustration of the Crocodile. Other Australian animals in the range also include the Wombat, Platypus and the Tasmanian Devil. There are 22 Flat Friends Soft Animals available in the range. All animals are made form 100% Australian sheepskin in the shape of endangered species and pass the ASTM standards. Each animal comes with a gift booklet that tells you all about the animal in 8 different languages.

This life-size zebra play center is equipped with 28 fun accessories, including mirrors, rattles, teethers, crinkling textures and horns. It is perfect for hugging or riding, and also comes in a smaller, hand-held size. The product received an iParenting Media Award and was named one of the Best Toys of the Year by Parents Magazine. Launch date: July 2008.

The Okee Dokee line of 12" plush features whimsical friends with distinctive, wacky patterns and fun colors exclusive to each animal. Their mismatched eyes and crooked, yet cute, smiles are sure to bring the giggles. The collection includes Potomas the hippo, Mangos the monkey and Lillibelle the lamb. Launch date: 2009.

This cushion is made of plush materials with polyester stuffing. It is convenient, easy to clean and ideal for relaxation. "This is not only a utility in the room, but also a decoration," a company representative told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

This soft doll is available in versions with either pink or green accents, and features cotton, toweling, wool felt and fleece materials. It measures 35 cm x 40 cm.