Animals Reviews

Puppets nurture the imagination, inspire creativity, develop interactive play and expand language. This reviewer has found them to be excellent tools for teaching foreign languages--children will comfortably experiment when manipulating a puppet, but not when simply talking to a friend. As children mature, they are able to use puppets in a more sophisticated manner that will help them last a good long time.

The interesting fact sheet that Folkmanis always includes with their puppets tells us that this Ladybug puppet (winner of a Parents' Choice Award) is one of 5,000 species of ladybugs worldwide. Ladybug is red, as she should be to warn predators. Her fleecy soft body is filled with firm foam. Manipulate her on her underside with a black velveteen glove (cleverly designed with two thumbs for both left- and right-handed puppeteers) that serves as her legs. This is a simple, well-made puppet worthy of its award. --Sandy Hirsch

Few toys are more majestic than this charcoal-gray plush elephant. Bonus: this gentle giant is also a puppet. He boasts an extendable trunk, protruding horns, wrinkled eyes, and soft, floppy ears. With his velvety body and big belly, he's the perfect pachyderm for puppet shows, naptime, or cozying up with to read a book. This unforgettable elephant stands 17 inches tall from head to hoof. --Melissa Wilson

Slip your fingers into the luxurious mane of this tawny, plush, stuffed lion and discover a secret--when your hand is inside the concealed pocket, he becomes a puppet! Toss his head and make him roar, or read the included fable of Androcles in the Lion's Den and have him lick his injured paw. A twist of your fingers changes the expression on his lifelike face--he can be as fierce or as cuddly as you please. Measuring 12 inches tall by 17 inches long, this realistic-looking king of beasts with ferocious yellow plastic eyes and a 14-inch tail is a terrific addition to any stuffed animal menagerie. Included is a card with some interesting facts about lions. Made of polyester, his golden fur can be surface washed and air dried. --Marianne Painter

Intended more for the show world than a career in racing, this jumping gray-colored pony has enough details and accessories to please budding equestrians. This set includes a comb to brush the horse's gray mane, a trophy, a saddle, a blanket, a water pail, a companion dog, and a gate for jumping. To get the horse to actually jump requires a fair amount of human assistance, but the horse gamely produces an impressive neighing sound when her back legs are held down and front legs are lifted up. --John Moe

"Find Buzzy's pillow. Now reach out your arm. Your conference call's early--reset your alarm." Oh, if only there was a set of Pilly Winks bedtime pillows for adults. Alas, this adorable quintet of colorful, stitched, cushy mini-pillows is designed to provide storybook bedtime guidance to little ones. As an adult reads the rhymes from the illustrated book, youngsters are encouraged to choose the appropriate animal-friend pillow and complete the get- ready-for-bed task, whether picking up their toys while quacking like Tip Top the Duck, or putting on their jammies while marching and smiling like PJ the Bear. Kudos to Aristoplay for the most delightful thing to happen to children's bedtime since the advent of the nightlight. --Tony Mason