November 2008 Notable Toys — Plush

This counter-top teddy bear stuffing machine is perfect for portability and customer interaction. It comes with $1,200 of wholesale product and may be used as a stuffer for plush animals at existing stores, carnivals, fairs or home birthday parties. The stuffing machine can be used with an attendant handling the animal skin or the children can self-service without the need of an attendant for much greater interaction and involvement. Launch date: July 2008.

This adorable stuffed animal collection from Fun Friends, Inc. takes the company's top-selling characters and turns them into fun-loving round fur balls. Launch date: August 2008.

Featuring various color palettes, designs and different textures, these flat shape characters are extra easy for little ones to grasp. "Bright Beginnings products benefit a children’s development by enticing them to explore through visual and tactile stimulation," said Stephanie Araujo, marketing coordinator for Russ Berrie. Launch date: 2008

Toddlers can open the barn door on this activity set and find a barnyard of fun just waiting for them. They'll be delighted to discover three soft removable friends inside: a cow that chimes, a squeaky little chick and a cute pig that rattles. "This playset combines different sights, sounds, and textures to encourage toddlers' development and stimulate their imagination," said Stephanie Araujo, marketing coordinator for Russ Berrie. Launch date: 2008.

Dressed in his signature green corduroy overalls, this Touch-activated plush gently moves his head back and forth while he reads the endearing story of Corduroy bear in a sweet childlike voice. "A perfect bedtime - or anytime - companion, children will love to listen to this irresistible character's heartwarming tale over and over again," said Stephanie Araujo, marketing director for Russ Berrie. Launch date: 03/01/2008

This design of this plush coin purse is based on a famous Mexican pastry, so should appeal to Latin-American customers. Launch date: September 2008.

This make-up bag based on "Churro" pastry "appeals to Latino customers since Churro is a popular Latin American pastry," Owner Alonso Flores of Xochico told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

This plush "Pan Dulce"-style novelty key chain has "unique appeal to [the] latino customer, since [the] design is based on traditional pastry," Owner Alonso Flores of Xochico told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

NutQUACKER plush duck is dressed in his felt soldier outfit complete with embroidered details. "This Christmas plush entertains as it waddles around and quacks out the Christmas tune, 'The March Of The Wooden Soldiers,'" explained Stephanie Araujo, marketing coordinator for Russ Berrie U.S. Gift, Inc. Launch date: 2008

This new line of marine-inspired plush allows members to create their own virtual and interactive aquarium amid realistic ocean scenery. Each SeaPal comes with a secret code that allows kids to log on to www.seapalsworld.com where they can personalize an aquarium, play games, chat with other fish in the sea, explore reefs and shipwrecks, and learn about marine life. "This is the ultimate marine-inspired, web-interactive plush that lets kids build their own virtual aquarium amid realistic ocean scenery," said Stephanie Araujo, marketing coordinator for Russ Berrie. Launch date: 07/01/2008

Kids can build their favorite words over and over again with this fun pull-apart set. Mix and match with other pull-apart WordFriends to create new words. Launch date: 2008.

Kids can build their favorite words over and over again with this fun pull-apart set. Mix and match with other pull-apart WordFriends to create new words. Launch date: 2008.

Kids can build their favorite words over and over again with this fun pull-apart set that can be mixed and matched with other pull-apart WordFriends to create new words. "WordWorld, a new innovation in the literacy landscape, brings words to life through a patent-pending methodology that embeds words into the objects they represent. WordWorld toys help kids understand that letters form words and words have real meaning in their lives!" Rona Iny, marketing and outreach manager for WordWorld, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2008 Seal of Excellence Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 2008.

Monchichi, Monchichi, oh so soft and cuddly. Every mom remembers her favorite toy from the '80s — Monchichi. Each Monchichi plush doll is 6" high and is able to suck its thumb. Launch date: 1980.

This high-quality plush animal is designed to reflect the unique characteristics of its species with accuracy and respect. This Amazing Animal includes a collectible fun fact card featuring gorgeous National Geographic photography and amazing facts about the polar bear, "[helping] children learn about their plush new friend in a way that is historically and scientifically accurate," Nicole Tiedemann, PR coordinator for R&J Public Relations, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008.

Made of 100% Australian sheepskin, this Flat Friend is made in the shape of a Koala that matches the real marsupial and comes with a gift card.  The Flat Friend Koala can be purchased by itself or with one of the available 100% cotton drawstring bags or carry bags.  Child friendly and safety tested.

Flat Friends' new range of animal character puppets such as the Snow Leopard are designed to help to educate children to learn more about endangered species by nurturing a dialogue between children about the animals.

Packaged together are this plush Flat Friends Kangaroo and a Flat Friend 100% cotton drawstring bag that has an illustration of the Kangaroo. Other themes are also included, such as Koala, Chimpanzee, and Crocodile. There are 22 Flat Friends Soft Animals available in the range.

Flat Friends range of puppets features children in national costume from around the world. The new line of Puppets is designed to educate children about different cultures and to also highlight the similarities all children share. This hand puppet takes the form of a Japanese girl wearing a flower-themed traditional kimono dress. 

The most realistic and playful giant stuffed dinosaur with real and authentic look-alike skins. Size: 36"L x 21"H.

Adding to the Folkmanis family of award-winning dragon puppets is this timeless symbol of heraldry, the Wyvern Dragon. It’s easy to manipulate the velvety mouth and tongue of this scaly green iconic beast and have fun for ages and ages! Designed for ages 5 and up. MSRP: $49.99.

Squeek, The Monster of Innocence is a cotton candy pink little guy who lives in a bubble! As you can see by the look on his face, he’s shy and needs you to introduce him to the world. Just hold him in your arms and describe everything to him. You can be his teacher and show him all the fun things that are special in your life. Oh, and don’t forget, he’s the pip “squeek” of the bunch so be gentle! Squeek is a part of the The WorryWoo Monsters series that tackles complicated feelings and transforms them into quirky, loveable characters.