Fwis • Readymech

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Visit Spring to get your own, and tons of other cool stuff, my additional favorites are the Grandfather Clock and Vase Maker.

The newest Teddy Ruxpin is quite nice. It has moving eyes and mouth just like the older versions. Teddy’s body is hard, but has relatively plush head, arms and legs. It is quite a bit smaller and lighter than in the past, and uses digital “storybooks” instead of tapes. Each digital story comes with at least two books, one picture book, one song/story book. The picture book is just that, pictures to go along with the story Teddy tells. The song/story book is all of the words he speaks. This version runs on 4 AA batteries and does have an “auto off” feature that allows it to use very small amounts of power without it being switched off. As of right now, just 2 months after its release, there are 6 storybook packages available. Teddy Ruxpin has his own website - TeddyRuxpin.com - with information about him, games and movies to watch. Teddy’s base price is $69.99 US with an additional $19.99 per storybook.

TJ BearyTales is the Teddy alternative. This new toy has a lot of additional features. It has eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and arms that move with the stories. It has digital “storybooks” also, some that come with special toys that correspond with what is being read. Each digital book comes with one paper book, words and pictures to follow. TJ runs on 3 D batteries. TJ hasn’t been around for long but has tons of storybooks available for purchase, many that promote preschool ready-ness through teaching things about following directions and cleaning your room. TJ is hard to find information about on the web, some websites have linked to his official site but those links do not work. TJ’s base price is $49.99 US with an additional $9.99 - $14.99 per storybook.

Both sound like really great toys don’t they? There are a few things that I keep trying to decide over in my head. 1. Why does Teddy have pictures and words in separate books? I cannot imagine the reasoning behind this. If they put it all together and made 1 bigger book with both, the child wouldn’t have to decide between, or juggle two different books to follow along with. TJ got that right. 2. Teddy runs on 4 AA batteries. I have heard that these run out quickly, but rechargeable batteries are an option. TJ runs on 3 D batteries. Although these may last longer, it is very very hard to find that size in a rechargeable. 3. TJ has more moving parts. I bet the additional facial features moving looks great, but why the arms? Moving arms really take away the option of sleeping with him, and you can imagine the breaking possibilities with his appendages flailing everywhere (my imagination aside they probably do not exactly flail). 4. Although Teddy has been long recognized for his amazing stories, I’m not sure what they teach (I have not yet read them as I will wait to do that with my boy). TJ has so many options for stories that there are some great ones about a first day at school, and cleaning a messy room. The ones that come with corresponding toys sound like they would be a lot of fun. 5. TJ is cuter. 6. TJ is cheaper. 7. Teddy has a following, with additional movies and TV shows (although they may be outdated as most are from its original release). 8. Did I mention the horrible idea of swinging arms? 9. Did I also mention books with words and pictures? 10. Teddy is in definite need of a wardrobe makeover.

In the end I don’t know what to think. Both seem like great toys, both with great parent reviews at every site I have seen. I do think that whichever is given to a child they will love; really love (although that does not stop my quest for superiority). Has Teddy been around for so long because he is really that great or does the parent’s nostalgia play a big part? Will Teddy stay around for a while this time (He was hugely popular in his first edition but there have been several unsuccessful releases since then), will more stories and additions be available? Is TJ BearyTales the loved friend that so many think of when they see a Teddy Ruxpin or is he just a toy? Will he be the new Teddy replacement?

What do you think? Do you have any opinion on these toys? Are you like my husband who tells me I get obsessed when I drink coffee? Share your ideas.

Photos courtesy of Target.com, where you can find both of these amazing toys.