Dream Pets began 50 years ago when R. Dakin & Co. began importing electronic trains from Japan. To protect the trains during their long journey to America, shippers cradled them with a half dozen or so "velveteen stuffed characters." This cute and clever "packaging” created an unexpected stir of excitement and R. Dakin & Co., now a division of Applause, LLC, began to import these original Dream Pets by the hundreds. Applause has issued 24 new Dream Pets in their first new release.

This bear face with headphones offers a hip and cool way for kids to rock to their music. Each battery-operated Headphonzz character has speakers in the ears. Kids simply attach the adaptor to an MP3 player and press the ear to hear their music. Launch date: June 2007.

Unlike many children’s characters that began in literature and made the transition to film, Mr. Mouse began in film and later moved to comic strips, books and other merchandise. While Mickey’s appearance has evolved since his screen debut in “Steamboat Willie” in 1928, his character has become an American pop-culture icon. This 16” plush doll from Applause depicts Mickey in his classic, color-cartoon era attire complete with button eyes, red shorts with white buttons, yellow shoes and white gloves.

This favored toy dates back to 1915 when Johnny Gruelle invented pictures and stories to entertain his daughter during a childhood illness. Raggedy Ann, along with her counterpart Raggedy Andy, has been the subject of numerous stories in the generations since. This particular plush toy, part of the Applause Dakin Signature Collection, stands roughly 12” high, has button eyes, a blue dress and a white apron bearing the doll’s name embroidered in red. Raggedy Ann is a lovable, huggable addition to any plush toy collection.