Stuffed Animal Reviews

Make a little monkey business with this gorgeous puppet, whose thick, lush coat and tail are made of contrasting browns. The puppet's hands, feet, ears, and face are made of a dark beige fabric, and his nose is perched atop his oversize mouth, the inside of which is a darker brown. Large plastic button eyes finish off his expressive face. The puppeteer's hand is inserted through the bottom of the body, and fingers fit in the upper arms and mouth. Wonderfully detailed, this monkey puppet is 23 inches long and 8 inches wide. Surface washable with cold water. --Peggy Etra

Unzip this 10-by-14-inch, bright turquoise, soft cloth book, and you'll find two animal-packed alphabet trains spanning both pages. Each train car is a pocket, and each pocket is embroidered with a letter of the alphabet. Inside the pockets you'll find friendly little pillow animals, each one marked with a letter of the alphabet: the pink elephant rides in the E car, and the green alligator rides in the A car. Your child will love taking the animals out of the pockets and stuffing them back in (a favorite toddler activity). You'll have fun teaching your child the names of the animals and letters, such as N for newt and X for xenops. When playtime is over, your toddler can zip the whole gang safely inside, grab the sturdy handle, and tote the little animals to their next destination. --Elisabeth Fredrickson

Soft, friendly, and ready for cuddling, this rottweiler is sure to find a place in anyone's menagerie. Filled with fluff and beans for comfort and heft, this black-and-brown pup wears a big grin and a cropped tail to put friends at ease. He's not machine-washable, but most stains will sponge right out. Although he's fairly durable, he will show wear after a few months of continuous rough play, so take it easy on the little guy. --Rob Lightner

Yorkshire terriers, or "Yorkies," as they are commonly known, are one of the more popular breeds in the world for people looking for a loyal and friendly house pet. This little charmer, a Toys "R" Us Exclusive from Animal Alley, captures the pleasant charm of the Yorkie quite nicely. He lies on his stomach, looking slightly upward with his realistic dark eyes. Longer white hairs offset his black coat and the hair on his face is gathered up above his eyes where it's tied off with a fetching little bow. This Yorkie is the perfect size to tuck under an arm as one falls asleep. --John Moe

It’s hard to believe that the Care Bears have been around for 20 years. These lovable little bears are still spreading their valuable message of caring and sharing to young children across the nation. Baby Tugs is a playful bear who is always on the move but, at the end of the day, he is all about relaxing in his owner’s arms. This blue bundle of fluff comes with a symbol of a bright star and a whale emblazoned on his tummy and a diaper printed with the same symbol. He comes with her own special book that explains how to take care of him to make sure all his needs are met--and, of course, his needs include lots of hugs. --Cristina Vaamonde