June 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

Affectionately considered 'slightly overfed' by the Russ Berrie company, Prudence is a quite round-bodied tabby cat with beanbag and plush filling and a soft Caress material cover. Available in orange tabby and silver tabby patterns, Prudence has a plump face, realistic whiskers, and detailed stitching on all four white-socked paws. 
— “Kitties and puppies from Russ Berrie,” said Cheryl Richmond, owner of Punkin Doodles in Havre, Mont., when TDmonthly inquired about her best-selling plush items in May 2009. Richmond said she sells around a dozen per month. 
— Out of 43 retailers surveyed, three named Russ Berrie as a best-selling plush line in their stores in spring 2009.

One in a series of extra-whimsical characters from Manhattan, Galoompagalots Glus is a soft, lovable pal in a circus-array of bright colors — from his orange and violet shaggy ears to his key-lime green and goldenrod toes. Galoompagalots Glus has poseable ears and a floppy body, and a much friendlier face to imagine underneath the bed at night.
— Six of 43 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly in May 2009 said Manhattan Toy is one of their best-selling plush lines.

With his great long neck and stretching tail, Melissa & Doug's Apatosaurus plush is covered in striking purple and green spots. More than 3’ long, this dinosaur is ready to be a bedtime companion or partner in prehistoric imaginative play for hours on end. He has a detailed face and white claws on all four feet, in addition to markings on his skin.
— “We sell them constantly, weekly,” remarked Samuel Cox, owner of My Favorite Toys in Carbondale, Ill., of the Melissa & Doug plush items in his store in May 2009.
— Eight of 43 retailers told TDmonthly in spring 2009 that Melissa & Doug supply their best-selling plush or puppet items.

In colors and patterns modeled after a real jay, this Lil’ Kinz has boldly striped wings and a long, banded tail. According to the interactive Webkinz website, the Blue Jay is friendly, exuberant, and always likes to make new pals. The Jay, like all Webkinz and Lil’ Kinz, comes with a unique code that allows a child a year of access to the Webkinz world, where he can play games, interact with an online version of the plush toy, and explore an online community designed especially for children.
— “Webkinz are still selling out very quickly,” Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toy Store in Anchorage, Alaska, said of her best-selling plush items in May 2009.
— “That's outselling everything,” Linda Hays, owner of Hopscotch Toys in McMinnville, Ore., said of Webkinz during a May 2009 survey concerning sales in plush and puppets.
— Eight of 43 retailers told TDmonthly in spring 2009 that Webkinz by Ganz are top sellers in their plush departments.

With a bold giraffe and leopard print, this soft plush purse comes with an orange tabby cat tucked inside, covered in cuddly material and ready for any adventure a young child might come up with. At about 8” wide, the purse is an easy take-along, either for the included pet or other treasures that a little girl might consider essential. Note: Video depicts an earlier version of a Sassy Pet Sack.
— “Douglas plush handbags with plush animals” are best-selling plush, Casey Sartain, buyer in his family's Salt Lake City, Utah, toy store, Tutoring Toy, told TDmonthly in spring 2009, citing sales of between 20 and 25 per month.
— Thirteen of 43 retailers surveyed in May 2009 listed Douglas as one of their top-selling plush lines.

Part of Gund's San Diego Zoo line, Zhen Zhen is a special plush animal named for a Giant Panda cub at the San Diego Zoo, born August 3, 2007.  Posed sitting and looking forward curiously, Zhen Zhen is carefully stitched and extra soft. Gund contributes 7 percent of all sales of its San Diego Zoo line to global conservation programs.
— “Gund has been our long-time [best seller],” said Bill Rayment, owner of Toy Crossing in Harbor Beach, Mich., during a May 2009 survey of top-selling plush.
— Thirty percent of 43 retailers told TDmonthly Gund is a best seller.

These sports-themed stickers on 4" x 6.5" sheets are available in several varieties, including soccer, basketball, football and gymnastics.

Designed for young golf players, this journal has colorful graphics and divided sections that allow kids or teens to keep track of their goals, lessons, statistics, practice, tournaments and more. It also includes a pocket for scorecards and quotes from famous golfers throughout.

Featuring a board made from the renewable resource bamboo, this game, a version of the ancient Mancala, challenges players to collect the most pieces.

Featuring the main character from the Caillou television series, this board book showcases the ABC Train, which has removable puzzle pieces designed to help kids learn the letters of the alphabet. The pieces can be connected outside of the book to create a lengthy train puzzle.

This CALAFANT Dollhouse comes complete with balcony and two big rooms on the backside. All doors open. Made from recycled material and is 100% biodegradable. Decorate inside and outside, create wallpaper and pictures. Ideal in size for play with 3" dolls and animals. Assembled product is approx. 15" x 7" x 16"

High quality cardboard fort with 2 teepees. Can be colored as shown or with one's own creative design. Once colored in, the fort and teepees become a pretend play environment. The fort's size is ideal for play with 3" dolls and animals. Approximate size: 14" x 14" x 9"(fort) and 5" x 4" x 8"(tepee). Made from recycled material and is 100% biodegradable.

Beautiful castle for every princess, fairy, king and queen. Color with the included 12 markers (non-toxic, washable) or decorate it with many other materials or paints. Approximate size: 9" x 9" x 11".

Ahoy! This pirate ship is ready for new adventures in no time. Decorate it in your very own colors. 12 washable, non-toxic markers included. Built with eco-friendly materials. Approximate size: 10" x 8" x 5".

Cozy little farm house with stable. Easy to fold and color, and can be used to play with existing farm animal figurine toys. 12 non-toxic, washable markers included. Approximate size: 14" x 11" x 5"

This colorful tent with a flag on top is constructed of cotton and polyester, mesh fabric and plastic rods. It can be folded for storage, and the mirror and window are removable.

This Asian-American doll is part of the Friends Forever Girls series of dolls and books that focus on friendship, character and community. She comes with "The First Day of Forever" book. Launch date: September 2009.

This 18" vinyl doll represents a character in the Friends Forever Girls series of dolls and books centered on friendship, community and character. She comes with a purse accessory, a Butterfly Promises bookmark, and "The First Day of Forever" book.

This polyester backpack is outfitted with two side pockets, a BPA-free plastic drink bottle, and two front pockets — one open and one zipped. It has padded straps and a padded back, and measures 10" W x 13" H x 4.5" L at the base. The backpack is available in three other designs.

This little plush replicates the exact size Thumbelina — the world's smallest miniature horse — was at birth. Also available separately are books and posters.

"A life without pugs is possible but meaningless,“ said Loriot. Pug Sir Henry by Uschi Ackermann is the living example for the Kösen pug. It had to endure a severe illness because reprehensible breeders did not take their responsibility seriously. With her book ,"Sir Henry,“ she launched the campaign called Helping Paw, and the manufacturer is supporting this cuase with 3 Euros per sold pug. The lying dog is especially soft and flexible, filled with granules.

This illustrated pop-up book offers a novel twist on The Night Before Christmas. Written by A. J. Wood, it's illustrated by Stephen Lambert.

The First Dog of the White House is replicated in this nearly life-size version that measures approximately 20" x 7.5" x 13.4". Bo is handmade in Germany and third-party tested for safety. Launch date: June 2009.