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Language teaching Bábógbaby bear becomes a brand
Plush toy which was originally created to teach kids Irish forges into new territories, apps and animation… by Lewis Tyler
its various buttons are pressed. It is priced at £24.99.
BÁBÓGBABY WAS created in 2010 after Adrian Devane and his wife Karen couldn’t find a toy to help teach their children Irish. “We thought: if they can watch Dora the Explorer and learn Spanish, then why shouldn’t there be something for Irish kids?” Devane explained to ToyNews. “But no Irish language toy existed, so I created one.”
Devane, a former TV production man with 12 years’ experience (on shows like Ballykissangel and King Arthur), went to work with a team of designers and created the brand, website and, of course, the teaching teddy bear itself, Bábógbaby. The distinctive green and brown toy helps kids learn 33 words – speaking colours, shapes and numbers aloud in a child’s voice as
The Irish version is currently
stocked in 115 shops in the ROI and has sold in excess of 30,000 units. English, Welsh and Scots Gaelic editions have followed and now Devane has plans to produce Spanish, German, Italian, Swedish and Asian language speaking bears. “A toy which assists pre-school children to learn English also has appeal in both English-speaking and non-English speaking markets,” Devane noted, and added: “There is a lot of interest for the toy in China.” In the media, Bábógbaby (or ‘BB’ for short) hit the limelight last year when it appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show and it has also won Gold and Silver distinctions from the Practical Pre-school awards. An app, available for iPhone, iPad and on Android, fulfils the same
functions as the bear and has made it into the top 25 chart for educational games on iTunes.
An animated series, titled BB and
Bella, is being developed with funding from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). The show has the potential to be adapted for other territories where the BB toy is a success and Devane has plans for merchandise. “The animation series is very important in creating the brand value and underpins the sales of the teddies and other products,” said Devane. Once plans come to fruition, the bear will have the potential become an international hit. Devane concluded: “This bear is great value for the consumer. There are no lights, no hard parts or music in this toy – just pure cuddles and fun learning.
Bábógbaby: +353 872 979 131 Tot doll firm seeks UK distributors by Dominic Sacco
A NEW doll start-up is on the lookout for distributors to help get its “unique” doll in UK retailers. The Oobicoo is a doll for pre- schoolers and is the size of a six month old baby. It’s made from recycled and recyclable materials and each sale raises money for the Children’s Immunology Fund. “These concepts are unlike other dolls on the market,” creator Rachel Jones told ToyNews. “Oobicoo was manufactured with care from day
“After this, an adorable soft toy tot was born and coincidently toddlers fell in love with him.”
Oobicoo was originally developed and sold as a mannequin to demonstrate how to use Totseat – a safe and portable fabric high chair – which was set up by Jones as a company in 2004.
Oobicoo is supplying UK retailers
one, and after thousands of pounds being spend on an unsatisfactory product, we decided to meet with a highly respected toy factory.
directly, though it has distribution partners in Australia and Poland. The 60cm Oobicoo boy and girl dolls retail for £34.99 each. www.oobicoo.com