Check out these recently added mass-market and specialty plush toys.
Olly Oogleberry 14" Alien Plush Doll by TICKLE ME SILLY
14” Cosmically Cool Alien Plush Character. 4 color printed fabric to show Olly’s cosmically delicious rainbow eyes and radiant glow. Every Olly features a single Oogleberry crystal in his palm for good luck on his adventures. Created and made by Earthlings from all over the world, including America, Wales, Persia and China. Launch date: January 2012.
Happy Homes™ slipcovers are a combination pillow slipcover, home, and carrier for Happy Nappers®. Comes in 6 Colors: Pink House, Gray Castle, White Igloo, Tan House, Purple Castle, Yellow Hut. Perfect for bedtime, naptime, playtime, and travel.
Each 5-inch plush fruit features splat sound effects, includes a Fruit Ninja bandanna and has a mouth that is slightly sliced. Choices include Green Apple, Strawberry and Pineapple plush. There's even a Bomb. Other Fruit Ninja items include smaller plush and tablet covers. Launch date: Spring 2012.
Pillow Pets Gives Back - Jake the St. Bernard by CJ PRODUCTS
Pillow Pets Gives Back line was inspired by pediatric cancer patient Jacob McConahay. He received a plush Pillow Pet as a gift, and decided that he wanted to provide his friends undergoing cancer treatment at the center with him a pillow pet, too. This comforting and cozy St. Bernard preserves his memory, and comes along with a heartwarming story book. Launch date: 2012.
Starshine Watchdogs™ are cuddly bedtime companions specifically made to empower kids to overcome fear at night. Each talking, light-up Watchdog comes with reassuring phrases to comfort your child, along with a Go-Anywhere Star Light night light kids can remotely illuminate with the touch of the Watchdog’s paw. Let Starshine Watchdogs help your child harness the courage and confidence all kids possess to overcome their fears. Each All-in-One Starshine Watchdog™ purchase comes with: (1) Cuddly, Talking, Light-UP Watchdog Plush with wireless technology; (1) Go-Anywhere Star Light night light with Auto-Off timer; (1) Embroidered cape with logo and your Watchdog’s name! And yes, batteries ARE included! Choose from Orion (blue) or Skye (pink). (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 3 and Up)
This big cuddly AMERICAN ALLIGATOR PUPPET will swamp kids with affection. This realistically rendered puppet, with soft plastic teeth, is a life-size 31-inches long. Launch date: 2012.
A new breed in Douglas Fuzzles, these new styles use a mixture of trendy fabrics with a new flair in the face. There are 10 new styles owls, monkeys, pigs, and dogs...to add to the already popular and irresistible herd of 30 fuzzles to choose from. Sizes range from 8" to 26" SRP's range from $14 to $35. — In a May 2012 survey about best selling plush and puppets, Lisa LeStrange, owner of Lucky Duck Toys in Wayne, Pa., told TDmonthly that they "sell about 175-200 pieces" of Douglas plush each month.
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author