CONTACT: Elaine Kollias, Folkmanis, Inc.

800.654-8922

elaine @ folkmanis.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CUDDLY, SOFT, SAFE, FUN FEELING OF FOLKMANIS PUPPETS CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS FOR 25 YEARS

Puppets: give the gift of love and imagination

(EMERYVILLE, CA, October 29, 2001)  Bringing a little faith, hope, good fortune, and wonder into a child’s—or adult’s—life is a sure thing this holiday season if you give a FOLKMANIS PUPPET.  As the world’s leading specialty puppet maker for 25 years, Folkmanis has cleverly combined the cozy, warm, cuddly, safe, fun feeling of plush with the realism of animals to create some of the most cherished, magical friends one can have, that bring out the child in everyone.

The world-famous, award-winning Folkmanis brand has been recognized by nearly every parenting publication as one of the best toys of the year, including Parents, Child, FamilyFun, Parenting, Nick Jr., and Baby Talk.  The overwhelming reason: kids (and adults) love them and can’t put them down.

“Once you see one of our adorable creatures, you’ll rush to pick it up.  Then you’re hooked,” says co-founder Judy Folkmanis.  “Whether it’s the soft feel, soulful eyes, or amazing friendly features that capture your heart, you can be sure it will remain with you for a lifetime.”

Here are just a few of this year’s heartwarming collection sure to become endearing pals for life:

The belief in the mystical unicorn symbolizes our faith—in goodness and the future—and there is none more beautiful than the FOLKMANIS LARGE UNICORN.  This 23-inch masterpiece is sure to capture the hearts of youngsters with its super-soft fur, beautiful mane, and gold-trimmed horn and tail.  Fantasies and wishes will come true for any child ages 3 and up with this delightful puppet.  The Large Unicorn has a suggested retail price of $48. A SMALL UNICORN is also available for a s.r.p. of $16.

The holiday season is a time for hope and anticipation, and FOLKMANIS’ HARP SEAL PUP—with its big, round eyes and baby face—will have everyone hoping for one of their own.  The beauty and innocence of this extraordinary, adorable, 24-inch, lifelike seal pup will capture your heart and soul.  From the first hug, children and adults will treasure this precious puppet.  Exquisitely created, it has a suggested retail price of $36, and is designed for ages 3 and up.

Now all the wonder of discovery is available through puppetry for even the youngest child with the innovative new lineup of BABY FOLKMANIS^® puppets.  After 25 years of making award-winning puppets for ages 3 and up, Folkmanis introduces its first sub-brand designed for interactive play between parent and child—beginning at birth.  Just a few months old, the line has already received some of the industry’s top honors, including awards from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and Dr. Toy.  These unique puppets have colors, textures, shapes, and sounds to stimulate infant and toddler development while entertaining little ones with whimsical characters, fun manipulatives, and hidden surprises.

Children will love driving their way to discovery with the COUNTRY TRUCK and CITY CAR.  These plush vehicles have rolling wheels, a honking steering wheel, and three, friendly, removable finger puppets.  The Country Truck and City Car have a suggested retail price of $30 each .

The most adorable stocking stuffers this year are the BABY FOLKMANIS PEEK-A-BOO BUNNY and PEEK-A-BOO MONKEY.  These 9-inch puppets are ideal stocking stuffers for baby’s first Christmas or beyond.  The finger puppets have squeakers in their bellies and removable peek-a-boo blankets.  They are modeled after the award-winning Peek-a-boo Play Cube, and have a suggested retail price of $8 each.