CONTACT: Elaine Kollias, Folkmanis, Inc.

800.654-8922

elaine @ folkmanis.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

BABY FOLKMANIS^®  MAKES  FIRST JPMA  APPEARANCE

(EMERYVILLE, CA – April 30, 2002)  In its first full year of distribution, the FOLKMANIS brand extension – BABY FOLKMANIS – will make its debut appearance at the Juvenile Products Merchandise Association show May 3-5 in Dallas (5^th Floor, Booths 5J531-5J-533).  Designed for children from birth and up, this is the first-ever puppet line exclusively targeting this age group.

“The toy buyers were extremely impressed with our line at Toy Fair in February,” said company co-founder Judy Folkmanis.  “For retailers looking for award-winning, innovative new products for their stores, our Baby Folkmanis lineup is sure to fill their needs.  These puppets emphasize discovery tools and active play, and help stimulate development in children, making the Baby Folkmanis collection a must for every infant toy section.”

Introduced in limited quantities last fall, Baby Folkmanis products continue the award-winning tradition of this world famous specialty brand by earning recognition from Dr. Toy, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Parenting magazine’s Toy of the Year, Baby Talk magazine’s Editor’s Choice Toys and more.  Throughout the company’s 26-year existence, hundreds of awards for quality and innovation have been given to the original puppet line for ages three and up.

The Baby Folkmanis lineup is designed for interactive play between parent and child.  The unique puppets feature bright colors, interesting textures, varied shapes and fun sounds to stimulate infant and toddler development while entertaining little ones with whimsical characters, fun manipulatives and hidden surprises.  Consumers and toy retailers demanded puppets for this age range, and Folkmanis answered.  JPMA presents a venue to expand these wonderful, stimulating toys even further into retail and eventually into consumers’ hands.

The new lineup includes eight super-fun toys.

HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE Storytelling Glove Puppet – The age-old nursery rhyme is given a totally unique platform with a soft fabric glittery night sky glove. A golden moon opens to reveal a fabric scroll with the words to the rhyme.  The fingertips feature a cat playing the fiddle, a jumping cow containing a hidden rattle, a laughing dog, and a dish running away with a spoon. 

AGE APPROPRIATE: 6 months and up

AVAILABILITY: Spring 2002

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $20 

EATING BEAR, EATING WHALE, EATING PIG – The super-soft chenille grizzly bear, beluga whale, and piglet each come with one of their favorite foods (salmon, squid and corn) that they can “eat” through a small hole in the puppet’s mouth.  Included with these puppets are stories designed to help the caregiver and child interact and learn.

AGE APPROPRIATE: 6 months and up

AVAILABILITY: Spring 2002

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICES:             Eating Bear—$20

                                                            Eating Whale—$16

                                                            Eating Pig—$18

COW RATTLE, LEOPARD RATTLE, ZEBRA RATTLE – These totally innovative infant rattle puppets are adorable, full-bodied animals that have the rattle inside their soft, dangly legs.  There is also a workable mouth on all three creatures.

AGE APPROPRIATE: Birth and up

AVAILABILITY: Spring 2002

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICES: $16

MY FIRST ABC PUPPETS  Soft Book – This 7-inch book has 21 alphabet crinkle flaps; three fun, attached hand puppets; and one soft removable alligator hand puppet.

AGE APPROPRIATE: Birth and up

AVAILABILITY: Now

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $40