SPECIALTY TOYS & GIFTS | PLUSH From a drawing, sketch, illustration, or photo, BUDSIES transforms any original character artwork into a oneof-a-kind plush companion. Original Budsies are made from a photo of a kid’s original artwork. The Budsies team hand-sews the details to make sure the creation is exactly as the child envisioned. Selfies are personalized plush figures of real people made from a photo. Original Budsies and Selfies are available in 16-inch and 30-inch sizes.
This year, HANSA introduces the Nordic Deer, laying Fox, Pomeranian Dog, Shihtzu Dog, Black Bear Seat, Tiger Seat, beige and white and black and white Chihuahua, Pegasus, Unicorn, Kitten, and Dachshund to its collection of realistic plush animals. Each animal is handcrafted from portraits of real animals in their natural habitats, and comes with a “Toys that Teach” tag describing in detail the animal’s lifestyle, gestation period, care of their young, eating habits, and habitat. The fabric for the spotted and striped animals is custom designed black and white Chihuahua and exclusively manufactured in small quantities, and the coats of the plush are hand-cut and trimmed.
Doll Fabian, from HABA, includes a hooded jacket, pants, sneakers, a padded body, and chenille hair. The character plays soccer with his friends and is the best striker on the team.
Original Budsie
My Buddy Bernie, from CLOUD B, is the first plush in the line to feature interactive, voice-activated talk-back engagement to help kids transition from playtime to sleep time. In playtime mode, Bernie will respond with silly sayings when kids talk to him. When it’s time for bed, Bernie changes to sleepy phrases for about two minutes until he says, “goodnight,” to kids. As Bernie begins to fall asleep, he starts to yawn before playing a soothing lullaby. Storytime Huxley plays five different classic bedtime stories, such as the “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Kids can pick and play any story as many times as they’d like and pause and resume stories with the press of his paw. The included illustrated storybook features interactive questions to keep kids engaged. My Buddy Bernie
40 THE TOY BOOK | March/April 2016 | TOYBOOK.COM