Animals Reviews

If a cartoon version of a French Bull Dog could be squeezed and hugged (and even used as a travel pillow), it would be exactly like this. With his slender body and oversized head, this sappy-eyed bull dog is a more cuddly and adorable version of the real thing. The stuffing is very soft; plush velvet-feel material covers the whole body except for the hard plastic eyes and soft plastic nose. Includes a red collar. --Richard Farr

For slumber parties, naptime, or travel, this indoor sleeping bag makes cozy dreaming for fans of Scooby-Doo. A large image of the sleuthing dog appears on the colorful polyester outer shell; a brushed tricot lining and 16 ounces of polyester hollow fiberfill encase a sleeping child in soft, lightweight warmth. A self-repairing zipper along the side and bottom allows use as a comforter. This machine-washable bag is perfect for travel or sleepovers, but is also sturdy enough for everyday use. Measures 30 by 57 inches zipped and 60 by 57 inches open. --Ava Natov

This battery-operated pet is surprisingly realistic in the way it responds to good old-fashioned tender loving care. From the outside, this toy appears to be simply a lovable stuffed animal. The long soft yellow hair, sweet pink nose, and green eyes make it look like a real kitten. The unusual thing, though, is the way this kitty responds to a person’s touch. Pet the kitten’s back and she will meow, purr, and move her paws in a kneading action. When kitty is hungry, just feed her by placing the included feeding bottle up to her mouth and listen as she slurps away. All these reactions are controlled by a special sensor on the kitten’s back which responds to a person’s touch. For a child who is too young for a real pet, this toy feline may be the next best thing. For a child who wants something huggable, this may not be the right way to go--the internal mechanics are hard and prevent you from giving this little pet a good squeeze. Three AAA batteries required (included).

This hard-plastic lunch box will definitely start some conversations among the lunch crowd. Made of durable plastic and molded to represent The Mystery Machine, this is one kitschy kit. A latch on the front of the van opens the box lengthwise; inside kids will find a 10-ounce Thermos. The top of the van is half of the storage space, so when opening the lunch box, contents may come spilling out. The box is turquoise with stickers of the Scooby gang in the front windows, decals for wheels, and a bright orange handle for carrying. --Pam Lauer

How can your kids make funky, practical art while learning all about everyone's favorite insects? Beeswax Candles & Bee-havior spreads the word about the little honeymakers and includes five brightly colored, 8-inch-by-8-inch sheets of their finest wax, ready for candle-making. The instructions are clear and simple while leaving room for creativity; the only parental supervision needed is in cutting the wicks (and lighting the finished products, of course--beeswax burns hot!). --Rob Lightner