August 2009 Notable Toys — Plush

This Papa and Baby Bear duo are ready for a fishing excursion. They sport a removable fishing rod and flower, plus a wriggling fish in a tackle bag. Baby Bear can cling to Papa's legs, arms, head or woodlike tummy. Launch date: 2009.

This bright, licensed plush toy unfastens to become a pillow and unzips to reveal a yellow blanket with a colorful butterfly design. It is fashioned after Eric Carle's classic character, the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

In 2008, One World Projects began participating in a teddy bear distribution project in Afghanistan. For each teddy bear sold, another is donated to a child living in an orphanage or refugee camp in Afghanistan. Often, the bears are the first toy the child has ever received. The teddy bears are handmade by Children and Women Education Fund (CWEF), which started a few years ago in Afghan refugee camps to provide a source of income and instruction on women and children's rights.

These cuddly and colorful critters stand 7" tall, with a comfort and global message of helping little kids to become great big kids. "Queetles are equipped with a Talk Back Module, allowing parents to leave a comforting message inside, for playback," Donna, in human resources for Queetles, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 15, 2009.

A multi-dimensional play toy, this cuddly plush also has an online personality unlocked by its unique code — the passport to the Webkinz website.  After purchasing the stuffed animal, a bright eyed Arctic fox with snow-white fur and a big bushy tail, kids can interact with their new friend online on a website specifically designed with their safety and interests in mind. Each animal comes with special items and favorite foods: the Arctic fox loves Winter Snow Crepes and exercises on its very own Frozen Tundra Treadmill.
―  “Webkinz continues to do well,” said Robin Ellerman, owner of Trains-N-Toys in North Canton, Ohio., in summer 2009.
―  “Webkinz, by Ganz. We sell a lot of those,” Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacque's Inc in Bryan, Texas, told TDmonthly in June 2009 when asked about best-selling girl gifts.

This soft, cuddly pillow is designed to provide companionship, a sense of security and lots of love. Offering neck support for toddlers, and a soft haven for any sleepy head, the medium-sized Cuddle Tooth comes in an assortment of color pockets. "Whether on a road trip, or crossing the big blue, you and your dreams will be comfortable with a Travel Tooth companion," Alana Zook, owner of Gappy Grin Gifts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2008.

Twinkle Tooth is the smallest of the Tooth Pillow family. Twinkling felt bodies, available with light pink and blue back pockets, are designed to match their sparkling personalities. They love hanging around on doorknobs and bedposts, or hiding under their sleepy friend’s pillow at nighttime. Half-round back pockets keep lost teeth safe and secure until a tooth fairy or tooth mouse quietly come to trade with a little treasure. It also makes it easier for Tooth Fairies everywhere to find the tooth in the dark without the risk of waking a child. It is said that on a clear night you may look up at the skies above and see where some of these pearly whites end up.  "Gappy Grin Gift tooth pillows are cheering children up and turning their little frowns upside down every day. Tooth pillows are fast becoming favorite friends, making bedtime, naptime and traveling much more comfortable. In addition, they are encouraging dental dialog and helping children develop oral health habits long before they understand the importance thereof," Alana Zook, owner of Gappy Grin Gifts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 4, 2008.

These animals are made from excess fabric and irregulars and stuffed with reclaimed polyester mill scrap. The Penguin’s embroidered eyes and securely sewn-on hat are designed to make it safe for all ages. This product is made in the USA of certified organic fibers by Opportunity Threads, a 100-percent worker-owned cooperative in Morganton, North Carolina. Launch date: 2009.

Made from “less than perfect” Maggie’s Organics Solid Cotton Crew Socks, this first edition Maggie’s Menagerie Sock Monkey is made by a 100-percent worker-owned co-operative in North Carolina. These hand-sewn monkeys are one of a kind and are made with certified organic fibers. The colors shown are examples only and may or may not be available; therefore, these monkeys are sold on a "grab bag" basis only. Launch date: September 2008.

Designed by a mother and son team, these soft and funky pillows combine a variety of textures and fabrics, including sweater and stocking material as well as remnants from bean bags and teddy bears. Though sized differently, each of the 10 pillows in the range measures approximately 15" H x 14" L. Launch date: July 2009.

This soft and whimsical designer plush friend has cuddly fur and wears a smile at all times. She measures 7" H x 7.4" W x 11.7" L.

This ring rattle is made of cashmere-soft polyester and features a serene owl face.

Dittoze™ are adorable, fun, plush pets with the unique ability to record personal messages! Each of our cuddly pets will record a personal 12 second message and play it back. Great fun for children and a great way to send personalized greeting of "Hello, I Love You, Happy Birthday" and much more. Easy to record, easy to play and your message can be changed anytime!

Dittoze™ are adorable, fun, plush pets with the unique ability to record personal messages! Each of our cuddly pets will record a personal 12 second message and play it back. Great fun for children and a great way to send personalized greeting of "Hello, I Love You, Happy Birthday" and much more. Easy to record, easy to play and your message can be changed anytime!

Dittoze™ are adorable, fun, plush pets with the unique ability to record personal messages! Each of our cuddly pets will record a personal 12 second message and play it back. Great fun for children and a great way to send personalized greeting of "Hello, I Love You, Happy Birthday" and much more. Easy to record, easy to play and your message can be changed anytime!

Dittoze™ are adorable, fun, plush pets with the unique ability to record personal messages! Each of our cuddly pets will record a personal 12 second message and play it back. Great fun for children and a great way to send personalized greeting of "Hello, I Love You, Happy Birthday" and much more. Easy to record, easy to play and your message can be changed anytime!

Dittoze™ are adorable, fun, plush pets with the unique ability to record personal messages! Each of our cuddly pets will record a personal 12 second message and play it back. Great fun for children and a great way to send personalized greeting of "Hello, I Love You, Happy Birthday" and much more. Easy to record, easy to play and your message can be changed anytime!

Dittoze™ are adorable, fun, plush pets with the unique ability to record personal messages! Each of our cuddly pets will record a personal 12 second message and play it back. Great fun for children and a great way to send personalized greeting of "Hello, I Love You, Happy Birthday" and much more. Easy to record, easy to play and your message can be changed anytime!

These designer plush toys are made in limited edition batches from a Swedish designer. Spok-spok was a runner-up for Plush Toy of the Year 2007 from Plastic and Plush. Launch date: June 2007.

These soft toys are knit in Peru of 100-percent organic cotton with natural color and have no dyeing. They have a bell inside, are a natural brown color, and meet CE standards. The collection includes a 15 cm elephant, 16.5, 23, and 27 cm giraffe, and 14 cm lion. "Each soft toy is handmade [and] signed by the Peruvian dressmaker. Those soft toys provide a job to women issued from the slums of Lima, and with this job, they regain self-confidence and they provide for their family," Abruzzo, the founder of C.A.BIO, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

Ziggideez are designed to appeal to kids who love plush and want to take their favorite characters with them everywhere. Ziggideez are wearable plush that can be attached to shoes, clothing, book bags, bikes and even fingers. There are three different products: one designed specifically with a Velcro strap to be worn on shoes; another for the finger, which also has a button hole so it can be attached to shirts and jackets; and the third with a Velcro strap that can be attached to just about anything. Launch date: June 1, 2009.

Eco-Snoopers plush products are designed to be cute and quirky, and carry back-stories that invite children to use their imagination. Eco-Snoopers products prime a child’s natural curiosity into areas that deal with the environment and in preserving the earth's natural resources, in a fun and creative manner. The backpack comes in five different characters, with more slated for release into 2010. Launch date: May 2009.

Maurice Sendak's magical story has continued to delight generation after generation. This 15" soft and cuddly Sipi is based on Maurice Sendak's classic book. The upcoming "Where the Wild Things Are" movie may reignite interest in these lovable characters.  Note: This item in this size has been discontinued.

Maurice Sendak's magical story has continued to delight generation after generation. This 24" soft and cuddly Bernard is based on Maurice Sendak's classic book.