Plush toys and Dolls - 2008

the Review Source

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Folkmanis

www.folkmanis.com

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	Mini Black Sheep
	Mini Ram

• Favorite Features -

  • soft, silky "wool" on the black sheep

  • soft, "wild" and "wooly" on the ram

  • "wild" look to the "wool" - adds to the appeal and fun!

  • attention to detail - even the "hooves" are cloven!

  • encourages imagination and interaction

  • excellent add-on gift, stocking stuffer or gift exchange item

  • perfect fun for small spaces - like traveling in the car or on a plane

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Gift Box Puppy Puppet

• Favorite Features -

  • tag has "Rhymes for my Puppy"

  • cute and clever puppy in a colorful fabric box

  • attention to details provide added "realism" - soft fur, vinyl nose and "pads" on paws

  • encourages imagination and interaction

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Sea Otter Puppet

• Favorite Features -

  • Sea People short Eskimo folk tale

  • facts of interest

  • silky soft "fur" and vinyl feet/paw pads add to "realism" - excellent details

  • encourages imagination and interaction

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Amazon Parrot Puppet

• Favorite Features -

  • Caged Parrot short story

  • facts of interest

  • silky, "feathery" fur with bright colors like the real parrots!

  • encourages imagination and interaction

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Black Sheep Puppet

 

• Favorite Features -

  • Baa Baa Black Sheep poem

  • Facts of interest

  • curly, realistic black wool with a "wild" look add to the fun

  • soft, cuddly friend - who by the way is a great puppet!

  • encourages imagination and interaction

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Web Wilds
	Small Lion
	Panda
	Baby Orangutan

• Favorite Features -

  • Includes information on each animal

  • web code provided for access to more information, games e-cards and more on-line

  • lion's "fur" is unique, soft and full mane makes for a lovely toy

  • panda's "fur" is soft, cuddly and very cute! love the "pads" on the "paws", claws and nose

  • baby orangutan's "fur" is soft, hairy and definitely "wild" - very cute, cuddly and realistic

  • encourages imagination and interaction

    Once again Folkmanis has released a wide selection of new "critters" to add to their amazing line of plush puppets! These toys do "double-duty" as they are big, plush friends for any child and they are puppets! As I've come to expect, each and every puppet shows the attention to detail Folkmanis is known for! I'd love to see a Basset Hound from Folkmanis! Tremendously well done, Folkmanis!

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Gund

www.gund.com

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Ramone Ages 1+

• Favorite Features -

  • soft, adorable, huggable friend!

  • cute wrinkly face adds details making this a great choice

  • surface washable

  • encourages imaginative play

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Sprout Ages 3+

• Favorite Features -

  • soft, silky fur

  • fun engineer outfit

  • surface washable

  • sings and "dances" to the entire song of, "I've been working on the railroad"

  • batteries accessible only with a screwdriver for safety

  • encourages imaginative play, singing and dancing!

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baby gund Teach Me Pirate Ages 6 months +

• Favorite Features -

  • soft, huggable pirate dog

  • encourages recognition of colors, fastening buttons, zippers, Velcro, ties/lacing and buckles

  • surface wash

  • pirate costume adds to the fun

  • encourages imaginative play

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baby gund Pinkaboo Ages birth +

• Favorite Features -

  • huggable pink friend

  • colors, prints and textures add to the fun

  • machine washable

  • encourages imaginative play

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baby gund My First Teddy Huggybuddy - blue Ages birth +

• Favorite Features -

  • soft, silky first friend for baby

  • machine washable

  • provides comfort

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Corin Ages 1+

• Favorite Features -

  • soft honey colored huggable friend

  • sheer bow and pads on feet add to the fun

  • surface washable

  • encourages imaginative play

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Hairoids Dustmop Ages 3+

• Favorite Features -

  • fun, soft, unique "fur" on this huggable lion

  • surface washable

  • encourages imaginative play

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Sesame Street Abby Cadabby Ages 1+

• Favorite Features -

  • colorful hair, character with a fun, pretty fairy costume

  • surface washable

  • encourages imaginative play

  • perfect size to bring along on adventures

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Gordy Ages 3+

• Favorite Features -

  • absolutely huggable, cuddly and sure to be a best friend

  • silky and "squashibly" soft bear

  • surface washable

  • encourages imaginative play

    Gund says they have the most "huggable" toys - these certainly are huggable! Any child who receives one of these plush characters has a friend they will love, hug and treasure! Clearly Gund pays attention to quality and "huggablness" - children of all ages will love these plush toys! Tremendously well done, Gund!

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American Girl

www.americangirl.com

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	Kit Kittredge
	Ruthie Smithens
Ages 8+

• Favorite Features -

  • eyes open and close

  • soft body with movable arms and legs

  • attention to detail - teeth, fingernails, toenails and eye lashes on both dolls, barrette on Kit, hair ribbon for Ruthie, pearl buttons and canvas shoes with buckles on Kit,  lace trim, socks, button trim and shoes with buckle for Ruthie and freckles on Kit all add to the quality and enjoyment of these dolls

  • both dolls include a book with stories to introduce them and their families

  • attention to detail shows in the quality, design and fabric for doll's clothes - all period styles from the Great Depression

    Any girl would be thrilled to receive one of these dolls! Invite grandparents to help purchase one for a gift sure to become a treasured friend - as they are on the "pricy" side. With the release to theaters this past summer of the American Girl Kit Kittredge movie, girls everywhere will be completely thrilled to receive these dolls! I really love the attention to detail found in all American Girl dolls and how they tie each doll into a specific period of history - a great way to interest girls in history! I also appreciate how these dolls will be treasured and cared for and even saved as a cherished heirloom to be passed on to a child, grandchild or niece one day! Tremendously well done, American Girl!

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Mattel

www.mattel.com

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Barbie Peek-a-boo petites - Blossom Beauties Belinda Blue Bell Ages 3+

• Favorite Features -

  • includes doll, stand, flower and accessories

  • encourages imagination and role playing

    Little girls love little dolls and these new Barbies are sure to be a "hit"! Great portable fun - excellent idea for gift exchanges and stocking stuffers! Extremely well done!

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Barbie Diamond Castle Princess Liana and Princess Alexa Ages 3+

• Favorite Features -

  • available separately with accessories

  • dolls sing two songs and can sing "together"

  • strong message of friendship and loyalty

  • encourages imagination, interactive play and role playing

    Barbies are a traditional favorite of girls at Christmas and these new dolls have gorgeous gowns and can sing so girls are sure to love them! Extremely well done!

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Manhattan Toys

www.manhattantoy.com

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Cuddlewumps Monkey Ages 3+

• Favorite Features -

  • soft plush in a huggable size

  • encourages imagination, role playing and interactive play

    This soft and cuddly monkey is sure to become a loved friend for any child who receives it! With studies showing children develop significantly better with simple toys that encourage imagination, this is an excellent choice for a gift for any child! Tremendously well done!

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Rarities - Grace Elephant Ages 3+

• Favorite Features -

  • soft, huggable, realistic-type design

  • encourages imaginative play

   

    This plush "friend" is sure to capture the eye and heart of any child who receives it! Extremely well done, Manhattan Toy!

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Galoompagalots Trilby and Mrax Ages 3+

• Favorite Features -

  • soft, unique combination of plush, colors and textures

  • interesting "characters"

  • encourages imagination, role playing and interactive play

    I love these two Galoompagalots! Clearly toy designers at Manhattan Toy used their imaginations to design characters sure to encourage the imagination of any child who receives one! Tremendously well done!

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Groovy Girls Candy Kingdom -
	Princesses Bubblegum BellaLollipop Lola
	Candy Heart Cassidy
Ages 3+

• Favorite Features -

  • fun colors and designs on their gowns add to the fun of these dolls

  • encourages imagination, role playing and interactive play

    Little girls will love these new Groovy Girls! Great stocking stuffers, gift exchange items or add-on gifts! Extremely well done!

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Jakks Pacific/Play Along Toys

www.jakkspacific.com

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Cabbage Patch Kids Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Ages - 3+

• Favorite Features -

  • re-release of original kids

  • includes doll, outfit, adoption papers, birth certificate and spoon

  • encourages imagination, role playing, interactive play

    Cabbage Patch Dolls are the most cuddly, perfect dolls for little ones to hug and play with! I love the soft bodies and adorable faces - all little girls need to have at least one Cabbage Patch Doll! I remember when these dolls first came out and I remember when my daughter received her first Cabbage Patch Doll! Some day if I have a granddaughter, she will definitely have a Cabbage Patch Doll of her own to love! Tremendously well done!

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2008 Holiday Gift Review

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Copyright © Lynda Freeman
Last Updated Nov. 1, 2008
Web Page by Lynda Freeman
Send an e-mail to Lynda at Lynda@thereviewsource.net