I'm sure a few of you out there recall "Sylvanian Families" back in the mid 80's. Guess what? They are back, under the new assumed identity "Calico Critters of Cloverleaf Corners". Both the original Sylvanian families and the new Calico Critters are made by Epoch. They are one and the same.

For the uninitiated, Calico Critters are small (about 3 inches tall) fuzzy/flocked pose-able animal dolls with detailed removable clothes. They come in a set of four : Father, Mother, Sister and Brother with an optional baby twin set ( a separate purchase). With their soft faces and loving family structures, Calico Critters radiate serenity while sparking young imaginations.

This particular review is for the "Beagle dog" family, but there are currently 7 different animal families, with two more on the way for 2002.

The Beagle dog family is a great starter set for Children 4 and up, having very few small parts. The dogs themselves are tan and cream, with dark brown ears. They have soft smiling faces, black shiny eyes, jointed arms and legs, grasping hands and a long tail (I believe made from materials similar to pipe-cleaners, making the tail pose-able as well). They have detailed clothes (no detail is left out! From tiny buttons on overalls to lace trims and ribbons on dresses) that are removable, so children can dress them however they like. They can even make their own clothes to put critters in.

Sold separately are the twins, these are non-pose-able (heads do move, however). They come in a set of two, boy and girl. Their overall appearance is like that of the rest of the family, only smaller. (I believe they are under or around an inch tall) They have tiny little baby outfits on, that are also removable (More details include tiny Velcro clasps and ribbon ties). Very cute!

Also sold separately are accessory sets (such as the "ready for school" set), furniture sets (the kitchen comes highly recommended), and house sets. Most children will find more than enough to do with the family sets. However, these other additional play-sets will extend the fun for hours giving children the additional excitement of "playing house."

Older audiences are also included in the world of Cloverleaf Corners. Miniature enthusiasts will find that this series comes with some of the finest and most intricate houses, furniture and accessories available on the market. From tiny bottles of lotion to finely crafted furniture sets, every item is captivating, no detail left out.

In review, these wonderful little families are eminently collectable. They teach children imagination, creativity, productivity, and more. The family sets of four (mother, father, sister, brother) along with the baby sets, teach children the workings of a loving family. The additional house and furniture sets, are very modern (I want this stuff in MY house, no kidding!). Kids and adults alike will love the fun of Interior designing, not to mention, the fun of "playing house" on a miniature level.



Now the downsides:

Calico Critters weren't made for "rough" play. These are not recommended for outdoors, in pools, or bathtubs. They should be treated in the same way that a stuffed/plush toy would be. They are covered in a soft fuzzy material called flocking (their fur), which over time (years usually) can start to get what are known as "rub spots". Rub spots are made when an animal starts to loose it's fuzziness in areas receiving a lot of friction over time. This can happen when they are washed numerous times (I would say flocking loss occurs around the 16'th or so wash), carried around in pockets, or banged around roughly. Pointy parts, such as noses or ear tips, will eventually rub down to their plastic undercoat when subjected to these treatments. However, with proper loving care, you need never worry about these minor inconveniences. I myself, have figures from the 80's (from my own childhood) that retain the same soft furry luster they had coming out of the box.

The only other downside to these little families, is the cost. They are a bit expensive. The family sets range between $16-20. Twins are less expensive and are about $6-8

The reason? The mother company is located in Japan, where there, they are a collectable just as much as a toy. These cute little critters are really "imported collectables". USA has been slow to catch on and hence, they are simply children's play sets to most people. Only die-hard collectors who recall Sylvanians, know of their true values. Epoch, the company that makes them puts a lot of time into the research and creation of these cute little animals. When you keep in mind that Epoch (the company) is a fairly small business, (not like these other overworked brands like Barbie or Disney toys) with limited production quantities, you can understand the price difference.

Additional Reading:

Sylvanian Families and Calico Critters introduce and retire certain families every year. These discontinued families become highly sought after by collectors the world over. The new families for 2002 are the "Norwood" mouse family, and the "Dalmatian" dog family. Retiring in 2002 is the Petite bear family, and the baby carry case figure "Waddles" the duck.

In Japan, Sylvanian Families (Calico Critters) are as popular as Hello Kitty. There are real Sylvanian themed restaurants, exclusive stores, 4 gameboy games and more than enough merchandising to decorate the whole house.

For more information try the following links:

The official USA distributor site: http://www.calicocritters.com
The official JP site http://www.epoch.gr.jp/sylvanian/
The official UK distributor site: http://www.flairplc.co.uk
The official UK Club site http://www.sylvanianfamilies.com




Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 17.99
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: Whole Family