April 2011 New Specialty Toys — Plush

The My Natural Ballerina is a 12", earth friendly rag doll made from natural (unbleached, unprocessed) cotton and colored with miYim's proprietary PureWaterWash process that uses plants and minerals in soy water for the dye bath. Her pink dress, hair bow and toe shoes are sure to please dancers of all ages.
Awards— A Dr. Toy Best Green Product for 2011

This soft plush monkey with super sweet face is perfect for hugging. "Features velcro hands," Valerie Henderson, administrative assistant at Lambs & Ivy, told TDmonthly.

Meet brother and sister Momo and Mimi. These cute plush monkeys come together with Momo holding little Mimi. "The monkeys feature brightly colored striped socks," Valerie Henderson, administrative assitant at Lambs & Ivy, told TDmonthly.

Meet Sock the Zebra. With his super soft plush and sweet face, anyone is sure to love cuddling with Socks. Launch date: 2011.

Meet Bubbles and Squirt, two adorable and fun fish from under the sea. These sweet fish come together as a set with their brightly colored embroidery and super soft plush fabric. Launch date: 2011.

Each member of the Piggy Wiggies family comes with a name and a lovable little story. Each Piggy is a hand-crafted plush made from socks. There are also mini Piggy Wiggies. Launch date: February 2011.

Shake, rattle and hold...these Silly Buddies now all come as pacifier holders and a rattle has been added to each. Machine wash and tumble dry. Size: 10"

Blossom is a soft, pink velour bunny. Her extra long arms make it easy to tie her on the side of a crib or atop the perfect baby gift. Machine wash and tumble dry. Size: 10"

Plush floppy eared bunny has snuggly soft pink velour blanket, lined and edged in silky satin. Embroidered message reads, "Best Friends Indeed." Washes beautifully, machine wash and tumble dry. Size: 16"

Plush bunny with soft blue velour blanket lined and edged in silky satin. Blanket is open in the back for easier snuggling. "Best Friends Indeed" embroidery. Machine wash & tumble dry. Size: 16"

A Poofin is a large pillow-like Star that holds a collection of soft picture charms that represent all the great things in a kid's life and what they like about themselves. "Kids can make it one-of-a-kind by filling it with as many as 50 small, soft charms of their choosing. As kids build their charm collection, they get an understanding of just how awesome they are. Poofin is a plush collectible toy with soul that bridges the inner and outer dimensions of a child. As we like to say: What you put inside is what’s inside you. Poofin allows a child to share their stories with friends and family through the sharing of their personal charm collection," Ann Bowar, principal of Poofin, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

Easily take playtime to bedtime with Mimicking Monkey. Mimicking Monkey’s unique dual track voiceover option allows parents to record personal messages along with each sound to personalize their child’s play, relax or bedtime environment. Familiar voices and soothing sounds can help children achieve a more peaceful, deeper sleep. Caregivers can record a soothing message to their child to help ease separation anxiety. Mimicking Monkey features include: Plays three unique sounds - Monkey fun, angel falls, lullaby; Records voices over all sound options; 30 minute sleep timer; Velcro hands for securing to cribs and strollers; 2 AA batteries included; Illustrated storybook and adoption certificate.
— As of 05/27/2011 this product had 3.3 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Cute; users liked the recording features; on an automatic timer so it doesn't stay on all night. Cons: one user said the monkey excessively shed its fur.

My STUFFIE is the mom/teacher created, multi-use sensible solution to stuffed animal clutter. It's storage, soft seating plus a large plush puppy. My STUFFIE measures 22 inches high, holds 50+ stuffed animals, has three (3) mesh windows for viewing contents, rear Velcro opening/closure. Transforms into soft bean-bag like seating when full. Can also be used for a hamper. "Independence and responsibility can be taught and can be fun using My STUFFIE because it is fun and easy to use. Innovative design makes cleaning up fun with added benefit of built-in reward when soft toys have been placed inside: soft seating plus a huge plush puppy. Children experience self-confidence, increased self-esteem using My Stuffie," Patricia Klotz, President of Lemonade Innovations Inc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

These soft, plush animal banks carefully guard jingly treasures in their tummies. Available in Dogs, Pigs, and Frogs, these banks move and play their respective animal sounds when coins are added. Animated Animal Banks also aid in teaching and encouraging children to save their money.
Awards: The 2011 National Parenting Center "Seal of Approval"

This classic character is a plush animal that turns into a pillow and blanket. Perfect to cuddle up with while reading Norman Bridwell's classic books to your little one. Launch date: June 2011.

Celestial Buddies, an original line of educational plush characters, is inspired by planets and other celestial bodies. Each plush planetary pal is designed to capture the unique variations of the actual object it represents through fabric, color, size and shape. "Celestial Buddies is a unique, innovative plush toy series not replicated in today’s market. While most Solar System toys are for school children interested in science, Celestial Buddies has a much wider age appeal from babies all the way up to adults," Jessica Silbert, owner and president of Celestial Buddies, told TDmonthly.

Travel to incredible places in this plush locomotive with three jungle friends. Don't forget to change their places from time to time so they can see all the views. Velcro allows child to switch the three animals between the locomotive's two windows and nose. Also included is a canvas carrying tote. Made of Polyester Fiber. Surface wash, air dry.

"The Magical Tale of Santa Dust - A Christmas Tradition" is the Christmas book of 2011. It is the magical tale of two small children who, on Christmas Eve, sit by their window eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa, only to be bypassed on his yearly journey. Save for the antics of a giggling, bungling Elf and some magical dust, their Christmas dreams come true. "There has never been a book written about the lure of magical Santa Dust. Each book will be packaged with one pouch of Santa Dust," Patricia Cardello, owner of Magic Dusts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2011.
Awards: Santa Dust - 2008 National Stationery Show in New York City "Best New Product of the Year" Nominee; 2009 Seal of Excellence Award from Creative Child Magazine.

These plush animals sit atop a child's wrist and hold a writing implement along with the child while they write or draw. "It is functional plush that educates and excites," PenPalz Entertainment told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2011

This plush Curious George Storytime Pal features a stuffed animal with a child sized blanket folded inside. When the blanket is removed children can snuggle up and use the stuffed animal as a pillow. The blanket zips on and off and is machine washable; the Zoobie stuffed animal is held in shape by two velcro tabs.
— In late Spring 2011, 8% of retailers surveyed by TDmonthly mentioned Zoobies as a best-selling toy for infants & toddlers.
— In a May 2012 survey, one out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Zoobies were their best selling plush/puppet item.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Magic Box Toys.