September 2009 Notable Toys — Plush

"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.

This 12" polar bear 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 is designed to stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. "The polar bear 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" cow 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 is designed to stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. "The cow 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.

The company's longtime sweetheart, the Press 'n Dress Doll & Outfit Collection, is available in an embroiderable carry case for personalization. Developed from the concept of paper dolls, each interchangeable cloth outfit has secure Velcro® backing so kids can just “press to dress.” The product is tested and certified safe for all ages, and is designed to develop role playing and social skills. "Press ‘n Dress is absolutely perfect for the little girls who have not yet developed the small motor skills to dress and undress a traditional doll," May Grant, director of communications for Pockets of Learning, told TDmonthly. Press 'n Dress has received the following awards: Dr. Toy Best Vacation Toy in 2000; National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Honors Award Winner in 2002; and a TDmonthly Top Toy award in 2008. Launch date: June 2009.

These floppy chenille-type bears are a great start to Baby's classic teddy collection.

Marlowe™ is a 17” beige bear with an embroidered nose, ultra suede paw pads and a beige chiffon
neck bow.

Sidwell™ is a 17” light brown teddy with an embroidered nose, ultra suede paw pads and a beige chiffon neck bow.

Creatively designed for story telling, pretend and imaginative play and overall interaction with family, our storytelling dolls (3 positions for each doll) have been very popular over the years. Curious Goldilocks flips in surprise to discover Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear.

This 15" classic bear is fully jointed, with firmer construction than the company's floppy bear, and is designed for dress-up and role play. It is available in six fur color choices: vanilla, buttercream, honey, dark chocolate, light pink, and light blue. Each bear is handmade in Vermont and comes with a lifetime guarantee. "This is the bear that made us famous, having sold millions worldwide. It is being introduced for the first time ever to retailers as a product aimed at the high-end toy consumer who shops at the world's finest toy stores," Irene Steiner, VP of marketing for Vermont Teddy Bear, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.