August 2009 Notable Toys — Plush

This 12" duck is filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender, and after two minutes in the microwave is a warm buddy to take to bed. He will stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. The duck can be microwaved thousands of times, CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, and his aroma is designed to help kids fall asleep naturally. Launch date: June 2009.

This 12" pig is filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender, and after two minutes in the microwave is a warm buddy to take to bed. He will stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. The pig can be microwaved thousands of times, CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, and his aroma is designed to naturally help kids fall asleep. Launch date: June 2009.

This train-themed bear stuffer measures 75" long, 69" high, and 23" wide and weights 580lbs. Custom color and logos are available for this model.

This Bear Stuffer is 67" Long, 59" High and 20" Wide and weighs 534 lbs. Custom color and logos for this model are available.

This portable stuffing machine measures 35" long, 51" high, and 24" wide, weighing at 212lbs. Custom color and logos are available.

At 15", this plush bear takes to the stuffed teddy bear tradition. As with other The Bear Mill plush animals, The Bear Mill's line of accessories and outfits can help customize and add variety to this bear.

This 8" plush lamb can be dressed up with an assortment of accessories and outfits from The Bear Mill.

8 inches in length, this plush, black and white cow features a pair of small horns and can be dressed with The Bear Mill's assortment of accessories and outfits.

This 12" sheep is filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender, and after two minutes in the microwave is a warm buddy to take to bed. It is designed to remain warm for at least an hour, and may stay warm all night if snuggled under the covers. "This sheep can be microwaved thousands of times," CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, "and his aroma is designed to help kids naturally fall asleep." Launch date: June 2009.

This 12" bunny is filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender, and after two minutes in the microwave is a warm buddy to take to bed. He's designed stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. The bunny can be microwaved thousands of times, CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, and his aroma is designed to naturally help kids fall asleep. Launch date: June 2009.

Floppy and relaxed, Jellycat's Loppie Elephant is covered in soft, shaggy fabric. Wide ears, curving trunk and beady eyes, along with long limbs and big feet, characterize this 13” gentle giant.
— “Jellycat is our best line,” said Mary Schedjick, owner of Educare Learning Center in Oshkosh, Wis., during a May 2009 survey of top-selling plush.
— Two of 42 retailers listed Jellycat as their best-selling line of plush in spring 2009.
— In a June 2014 survey, three out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Jellycat made their best-selling plush toys.

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.

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.

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.

These booties are designed with incredible detail and a playful rattle to help young ones discover their little feet. They come in a round keepsake hat box for an extra bit of French flair. The booties are machine washable and dryable, and safe for years of lasting comfort. The face is computer embroidered, and a all Kaloo products meet or exceed European and American safety standards. "The cute little rattle within the bunny's head lets parents know baby is ready for a little play time," Leif Quraeshi, president of Kaloo North America, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.

The Plume Collection Doudou Mouse is a handy little 9" blankie that little ones can carry with them everywhere. The ultrasoft cotton and microfiber mix are designed to provide comfort, and the ears and paws offer little fingers easy gripping and softness. The ears and paws can be soaked in water and frozen to offer a little relief from teething pain. The mouse is machine washable and comes in a round Kaloo keepsake box. "The quality is unsurpassed and the packaging distinguishes it from other soft toys," Leif Quraeshi, president of Kaloo North America, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.

This soft, huggable and sweet-smelling redhead just might become a “berry” best friends. A case includes eight individually packaged dolls. "She might be tiny, but Strawberry Shortcake has a huge heart! Her friends love to gather at her Berry Café, where they can always count on Strawberry Shortcake for a helping hand and some berry delicious treats — no wonder she’s everyone’s best friend in Berry Bitty City!" Jenna Banks, director of sales for EE Distribution, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

Kids can squeeze and collect their favorite Nintendo classic characters. This wave 1 case of six pieces contains the following 6" plush: 2x Mario, 1x Balloon Boo, 1x Goomba, 1x Petey Piranha, and 1x Mushroom (subject to change). "These are pop-culture icons in cute plush format," Jenna Banks, director of sales for EE Distribution, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 31, 2009.