TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Animal Figures Product Category

Giddyup N' Go Pony by LITTLE TIKES INC.

This indoor/outdoor pony makes a galloping sound when its left ear is pressed and moves its legs and swings its tail as the rider bounces up and down. It includes brakes, has a 4' steering radius and requires three AA batteries (included). Weight limit is 160 lbs. 12/1/2008 (Price: $199.99)

Discovery Kids - Scanopedia by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

When these lifelike, miniature plastic animals and dinosaurs embedded with barcodes are swiped with a scanner,  a pre-recorded voice offers acts about the creatures. Animal figures are available separately for $4.99 to $12.99 each. 11/20/2008 (Price: $29.00)

T-Rex Night Light by UNIQUE PRODUX INC.

This fierce T-Rex add light to a dark room with the included 4-watt bulb. It's on a swivel plug and measures 5" W x 6" H x 1.25" D. Launch date: November 2008. 11/7/2008

Tolo First Friends Kitten by SMALL WORLD TOYS

This poseable kitten is available in two varieties and features a head, legs and tail that move. 10/31/2008 (Price: $7.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stretchy Mice and Cheese by PLAY VISIONS INC.

Made of stretchy material, this 2" block of cheese is home to two mice that can be moved around to the different holes. 10/30/2008 (Price: $5.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Angels from the Attic - Eclipse Doggy by BIG CITY PUBLISHING LLC

Eclipse Doggy loves to eat. He's one of six Angels from the Attic, 10" plush friends designed to promote creativity and encourage children of all ages to build friendships. They are sewn with love so no two are exactly alike, making them instantly cozy and lovable. "[A] portion of proceeds are donated to local and national children['s] charities, making this a win-win for customer, retailer and children," Creative Director Mark Marderosian of Big City Publishing told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 30, 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Angels from the Attic - Twinkle Mouse by BIG CITY PUBLISHING LLC

Twinkle Mouse is part of the Angels from the Attic line of 10" plush friends designed to promote creativity and friendship. Each Angel is made from soft fabric and sewn so that no two are exactly alike. Launch date: July 30, 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Angels from the Attic - Sunray Bear by BIG CITY PUBLISHING LLC

This soft teddy bear is designed to keep children happy and cozy. Each Angel from the Attic is a 10" plush. "The bonus 12-page hard cover book that each Angel is packaged with helps spread the message of friendship," Mark Marderosian, creative director of Big City Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 30, 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Angels from the Attic - Looner Bunny by BIG CITY PUBLISHING LLC

Angels from the Attic are 10" plush friends designed to promote creativity and friendships. Each Angel is made from soft fabric and sewn so that no two are exactly alike. The line consists of six characters who all live in a magical attic. "There are no batteries [or] fancy remotes, just simple soft fabric [that is] cozy to the touch. The appealing and elegant gift box that each Angel comes in makes the gift look more expensive than it really is," Mark Marderosian, creative director at Big City Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 30, 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Clay-Mates by CLAY-MATES USA

Clay-Mates are a great value gift and make perfect stocking stuffers. These handmade miniatures are crafted in Thailand of porcelain clay. The 20-piece Starter Set is a perfect way to start a new collector. "Clay-Mates consist of a variety of whimsical, real and imaginary animals, birds and sea life. Each tiny character is meticulously detailed with delightful and charming features. Although very similar, no two are ever identical," Lisa Ramus, president of Clay-Mates USA, told "iPlay Jungle Animal Pinball resembles the age-old classic eat-up pinball games, but includes a new twist. Instead of gathering pinballs, players are required to keep the pinballs out!" Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.. Launch date: 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $2.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Littlest Pet Shop - Bird in a Skate Shop by HASBRO INC.

This sassy skate shop lets a little bird buddy find a pair of skates to keep her rockin’ and rollin’. The PLAY & DISPLAY PET NOOKS (each sold separately) can be collected and either stacked or attached side-by-side to create a Littlest Pet Shop world. Skate shop comes with bird pet and roller skates accessory. 9/30/2008 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Calico Critters - Santa and Mrs. Claus by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

Mrs. Claus awaits Santa's return for Christmas in an overcoat, mittens and beret. This limited-edition set comes in window packaging, ideal for gift-giving. Launch date: October 2008. 9/22/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Emily the Strange Pilot Kitty by TOYNAMI

Cuddle up at night with Emily the Strange's kitty, Miles, the cutest one-eyed pilot around! He is 12 inches high, and comes with a striped pilot scarf, goggles and cap. He makes a great gift for aviation, cat or Emily the Strange fans. Pilot Miles also makes a great Halloween gift. "This plush toy is Miles, an Emily icon. He does not look like the average black cat, as he has an X replacing one eye," explained Jill Beaverson, PR/Marketing Director, Emily the Strange. "And he is outfitted in all pilot gear. Emily and cat fans alike will love Pilot Miles." 9/19/2008 (Price: $23.00)

Catnap Kitties by CATNAP KITTIES INC.

"Catnap Kitties generate a patent-pending harmonic purr contained in a soft-bodied cat that feels and sounds so much like a real cat some people might not notice the difference," Owner Vivian Hoard of Catnap Kitties Inc. told TDmonthly. They are ideal for people with allergies; children who are denied a real pet cat; families whose real cat hisses at small children; people with special needs who cannot properly care for a real cat; anyone living where cats are not allowed; families who have a cat that needs “a night off”; and anyone who loves cats. Catnap Kitties recently won the 2008 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: February 18, 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $40.00)

Calico Critters Beagle Dog Twins by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

These twin doggies, William and Fiona, join the cute cast of characters that make up the Calico Critters world. They love to play in the sandbox together, and wear pastel blue and pink outfits.
— Calico Critters are strong sellers at Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., according to Owner Michelle Smith, who spoke with TDmonthly in December 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $8.30)

Calico Critters Costume Critters by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

These tiny critters — Brown Bear Brother, Polar Bear Sister and two others from Cloverleaf Corners — are decked out in costumes for Halloween. The critters are poseable and wear removable clothing. The two bears retail together for $19.99. Launch date: October 2008. 9/9/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Jolly Tar Sailors - Jacob by WEE FOREST FOLK

This little mouse is one in a collection of six Jolly Tar Sailors. It can be personalized and has a suggested retail price of $85.00 without lettering. 8/26/2008 (Price: $90.00)

National Geographic Kids Polar Bear by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

This high-quality plush animal is designed to reflect the unique characteristics of its species with accuracy and respect. This Amazing Animal includes a collectible fun fact card featuring gorgeous National Geographic photography and amazing facts about the polar bear, "[helping] children learn about their plush new friend in a way that is historically and scientifically accurate," Nicole Tiedemann, PR coordinator for R&J Public Relations, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Velociraptor by HOTALING IMPORTS

This detailed action figure is modeled after the pre-historic Velociraptor. Many other dinosaurs are available in the Papo dinosaur collection, including Triceratops, Pachycephalosaurus, Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, Pteranodon and more.
— “They've been strong for us for a number of years,” David Ekwall of The Wooden Toy in Wethersfield, Conn., said of the Papo line. “The knights are most popular, and the dinosaurs are number two.”
— In May 2008, more than 9 percent of retailers named dinosaur action figures as a best-seller.
— “We have tons of Papo [and they] do pretty well,” Ray Goodhart of Ages & Stages Toy Box in Golden, Colo., told TDmonthly in May 2008. The store sells “anywhere from 30 to 100” figures per month. ( Watch Video) 6/9/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Soft-Play Dragon by BULLYLAND TOYS INC.

This bright, poseable dragon measures 20” and is made of a soft, rubbery material.
— Although she carries a lot of animals by Safari Ltd., Owner Gillian Fetz of The Learning Tree in Missoula, Mont., plans to supplement her display with larger figurines — dragons, dinosaurs and elephants — in this line of “lightweight, kind of squishy animals.” ( Watch Video) 3/24/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zoomorphs Insect Morphs by RIVER DOLPHIN TOYS

Thirty-five snap-together pieces give kids freedom to create their favorite insects — a red ant, wasp or monarch, perhaps — or combine parts to form poseable creatures the world has never seen.
— Two of 66 retailers told TDmonthly in May 2008 that Zoomorphs is one of their best sellers. 3/17/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zoomorphs Rainforest Morphs by RIVER DOLPHIN TOYS

A tropical frog, panther and conure are just a few of the creatures that can be formed with this 35-piece kit. The colorful parts snap together easily and give children the chance to imagine, and build, any animal they wish. 3/17/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mythmorphs by RIVER DOLPHIN TOYS

This set features 36 interchangeable, snap-together pieces that can be used to form poseable characters, including a unicorn, Loch Ness monster and Griffon. 3/17/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Basic Figure Assortment – Sliding Cera Figure by PLAYMATES TOYS INC.

The Basic Figure collection of sliding characters includes Cera, Littlefoot, Ducky and Ruby. Each character features wheels and pullback motor action. 3/10/2008 (Price: $7.99)

Wildlife Animals Set by TOP SHELF HOLDINGS LLC

This set for preschoolers includes 12 fuzzy, realistic animals. Launch date: February 15, 2008. 2/18/2008 (Price: $19.95)