CONTACT: Elaine Kollias, Folkmanis, Inc.

800.654-8922

elaine @ folkmanis.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FolkmanisÒ Puppets Introduces Innovative Mid-Year Releases

(EMERYVILLE, CA, July 10, 2000)—Already winning consumer awards and industry accolades for its January 2000 releases, FolkmanisÒ Puppets launches its mid-year collection of innovative puppet designs.  Supplementing the company’s remarkable selection of over 200 of the most extraordinary, exquisitely and realistically designed creatures in the world, this season’s amazing puppets are sure to keep retailers and consumers coming back for more Folkmanis fun!

A few of the exceptional puppets for fall, 2000 are:

  • Snow Leopard

  • Raccoon In Garbage Can

  • Large Tyrannosaurus Rex

  • Small Wizard

The elusive, endangered SNOW LEOPARD, from Folkmanis, comes alive!  This puppet is designed with amazing realistic features, including soft fur, camouflage spots, long tail and stunning eyes.  At 25-inches long, the Snow Leopard will dazzle kids and adults, raising awareness of the plight of this disappearing animal.  Appropriate for ages 3 and up, the Snow Leopard has a suggested retail price of $46.

Folkmanis’ RACCOON IN GARBAGE CAN hides in a soft, 8-inch garbage can.  This raccoon will steal your food and your heart.  He’s environmentally conscious, too—the garbage can has the Recycle symbol on its side.  A simple hand movement “pops” him out of this hideout anytime—day or night.  The Raccoon In Garbage Can is geared toward children and adults ages 3 and up and has a suggested retail price of $24.

Kids’ fascination with wizardry, magic and spells is enhanced with their own personal WIZARD puppet from Folkmanis.  Available in two sizes, SMALL WIZARD is 11-inches tall and LARGE WIZARD stands 30-inches.  Both Wizards come dressed in mystical purple robe and hat.  Young apprentices ages 3 and up will have hours of fun with these puppets, which have a suggested retail price of $14 and $44.

Long known as the most ferocious dinosaur, Folkmanis’ LARGE Tyrannosaurus Rex keeps his species’ reputation intact.  Standing 24-inches tall, T-rex has extraordinary “scaly” skin, pointed teeth and claws (made of soft, safe rubber—no sharp points), a long tail, and is sure to become a treasured find for any young paleontologist.  Designed for ages 3 and up, the T-rex has a suggested retail price of $60.

These five marvelous puppets are just the beginning of Folkmanis’ exciting fall 2000 introductions. Other puppets include: 23-inch Brown Bear, 30-inch German Shepherd, 23-inch Large Raccoon, 5-ich-wide Mouse in Cheese, 12-inch-tall Jack in the Box, and more.

Folkmanis® Puppets are recommended for ages 3 and up and are available at specialty toy and gift stores, including: FAO Schwarz, Discovery Channel Store, Natural Wonders, science/nature museums, zoo and aquarium gift shops, and thousands of independent toy and gift stores and specialty retailers nationwide and in over 15 countries around the world. You can also find Folkmanis® Puppets online at Amazon.com and eToys.com.  For more information call Folkmanis at 800.654-8922 or go to www.folkmanis.com .

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