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PLUSH for Every Personality

Meredith Schwartz -- Gifts and Dec, 10/22/2010 5:44:58 AM

Every child needs something to cuddle. But we've come a long way from the days of one Teddy fits all. Today's plush brands offer an assortment of fluffy friends that are a perfect fit for a wide variety of developmental stages, interests, and décors.

The Original EVERY CHILD IS UNIQUE, but this kid takes it to the next level. With a wild imagination and not much interest in playing by anyone else's rules, plush that breaks the bounds of ordinary animals catches his interest and reassures him that even his wildest ideas are not too crazy to love.
New 2’ size Ugly Ket character is $50. Pretty Ugly LLC. 866.Hey.Ugly. www. uglydolls.com Circle #823	Fredericka limited edition My Own Monster marks World AIDS Orphans Day. 5”–16”, $8–16. North American Bear Co., 800.682.3427. www.nabear.com Circle #824
	New six-eyed monster puppet is named George. $16. 10"x 9"x 10". Manhattan Toy. 612.337.3818. www.manhattantoy.com Circle #825
The Not-So-Mad Scientist SHE LOVES ANIMALS that look like the ones at the zoo - the more realistic, the better. Creatures that come with value-added educational information about science or nature (or encourage her to find it on her own) are key, along with special features that really work.
New Firefly puppet lights up. $9.50/two pack. Folkmanis Puppets. (800) 654-8922. www.folkmanis.com Circle #819	Mimicking Monkey from the Twilight Turtle & Friends Collection uses a dual track voiceover option to record a personal message along with each of three sounds. Approximately $29.95. Cloud
New Bedrock Buddies come in Pterodactyl, Triceratops, and T-Rex. 11” or 18”, $16.99 or $24.99. My Pillow Pets. (619) 249-3868. www.MyPillowPets.com Circle #821	Dreamy Eyes bring wide-eyed appeal to the natural kingdom with 13 new styles for 2011. 10”. $12.99. Aurora World Inc. 888.287.6722. www.auroragift.com Circle #834
	GIANTmicrobes by Drew Oliver are plush versions of germs such as The Flu, Kissing Disease, Ebola and more. Comes with an image and information about the real thing. $8.95. GIANTmicrobes Inc. 877.MICROBE. www.giantmicrobes.com Circle #820
The Bright & Bubbly The Bright & Bubbly FOR THIS TWEEN GIRL the actual animal is mostly a cuddly canvas for fabulous color and pattern - the brighter the better. She may be almost too old for toys - or at least pretend she is around her friends- but she's defi nitely not too old for supercute characters, so she'll keep grabbing for plush as long as it does double duty as room décor or a fashion accent.
New PetCakes feature “frosting” hats and cupcake wrappers. Series 1 is puppies; more than six more will debut in 2011 including kittens, bears, rabbits and raccoons. Ages 3+. Well Made Toy Manufacturing Corp. 718.381.4225. www.wellmadetoy. com Circle #826	Greta White Flower Horse is from the Fuzzles collection. $11.55. Douglas Co. Inc. 603.352.3414. www.douglascuddletoy.com Circle #829
New Swirl giraffe, lion, frog and bear come in bubblegum pink, lime, and blue. Fiesta Toy. 323.581.9988. www.fiestatoy.com Circle #828	Print Pizzazz Purses combine mixed prints and bold colors. 10”x12”. $20. 10”x12”. Mary Meyer. 800.451.4387. www.marymeyer. com Circle #827
The Little Learner The Little Learner HE MAY BE A natural-born bookworm, or he may need to be lured into a love of learning. Either way, plush toys that tie educational goals to beloved characters will be a hit with him, and with his parents.
Sesame Street’s Abby Cadabby flutters her wings when her hand is pressed, and moves her mouth when she speaks. 15”. $40. Gund. 800.436.3726. www.gund.com Circle #831	New Kimochis Minis teach children about feelings. 6”. $15. A new curriculum for preschool through 5th grade is launching. Plushy Feely Corp. 415.454.4600. www.kimochis.com Circle #832
Two new toys are based on the Biscuit book. 7” beanbag, $10; 11” plush, $20. Hardcover and board book also available. Kids Preferred LLC. 866.763.8869. www.kidspreferred.com Circle #830	Plush toy based on Ian Falconer’s book Olivia converts to a pillow and blanket. 21½”. $35. Zoobies LLC. 888.966.2437. www.zoobies.com Circle #833

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