Background

If you thought that the Lubies line was all about the Major League Baseball license, you've been missing out. Rocket USA continues to release new animals - some familiar, some maybe not - in that softball shaped plush.

For this review, we're going to take a look at 10 new animal Lubies. The list of animals involved sounds like a zoo exhibit: Beaver, Blue Jay, Bush Baby, Kiwi, Longhorn, Manta Ray, Ostrich, Parrot, Red Fox, and Zebra.

The Facts



Animal Lubies
Series: Lubies
Manufacturer: Rocket USA
Material: Plush
Dimensions: 5” round
Designs: Beaver, Blue Jay, Bush Baby, Kiwi, Longhorn, Manta Ray, Ostrich, Parrot, Red Fox, Zebra

Tag

The Lubies line has one of our favorite tag designs. The circular tag features an illustrated landscape of the animal's natural habitat. Inside, there is an illustrated version of the animal on the left and a “Did You Know?” factoid on the right hand panel (and there are multiple, random fact tags for each animal).

Our Opinion

We have a bunch of new Lubies to look at in this review. Ten to be exact. But we've actually seen three of these designs previously, in the Major League Baseball Lubies series. The Blue Jay, Longhorn and Manta Ray are all the same as their baseball counterparts – minus the embroidered team logos.

Beaver: The Beaver Lubie has its trademark big (felt) teeth and tail. The teeth sort of stick out at a 45 degree angle, but I'm sure you could iron them to point downwards.

Bush Baby: Most people probably have no idea what a Bush Baby is. It's a real animal...and it has big, wide eyes just like this Lubie. You'll also notice the big ears, long, curly tail and the little fingers and toes.

Kiwi: This is another “non-made-up-animal-that-sounds-and-looks-like-it-is”. The Kiwi is quite possibly my favorite Lubie created. The fur they've used is soft...very, very soft. You won't be able to put this little guy down. Is it odd that I'm rubbing a plush against my face as I type this?

Ostrich: This is one of those animals that I didn't think would lend itself well to a softball-shaped plush. Those long, awkward looking legs and knobby knees. But somehow...it works.

Parrot: You have about ten months to plan your next Halloween costume, but if you're going as a pirate...pick up the Parrot Lubie. It's one of the more colorful plushies. Ironic, since it's one of the more colorful birds. And if I had to choose the best Lubie to display in a collection, it would be this guy (he sits perfectly).

Red Fox: Why is it that I thought this would be modeled after Sanford and Son star Redd Foxx? (Redd Foxx died 20 years ago? I feel old.) Actually, this design is my second favorite (after the good old Kiwi) thanks to that super soft fox tail. The ears also have some soft faux fur in them.

Zebra: If you liked the Horse Lubies, then you'll like the Zebra...unless you have something against the colors black and white. They've used the same basic pattern for both Lubies, which makes sense since both animals look alike.

OVERALL: I'm a big Major League Baseball fan, so I was extremely excited when they began producing the MLB Lubies series. But since the inception of the plush line, Rocket USA has continued to release various animal Lubies and not simply focus all efforts on the MLB. While they started out with some of your popular wildlife (bears, lions, cats, etc), I like that they're getting into slightly rarer animals.

You can pick one up at the following:

Rocket USA: $9.95 ea.

Animal Lubies Grades

Plush Quality: 9/10
    Stitching: 8/10
    Material: 9/10
Softness: 9/10
Packaging/Tag: 9/10
Cuteness: 9/10
Fun Factor: 9/10
Value: 9/10

Beaver: 9.1/10
Blue Jay: 9.2/10
Bush Baby: 9.2/10
Kiwi: 9.6/10
Longhorn: 9.0/10
Manta Ray: 9.0/10
Ostrich: 8.9/10
Parrot: 9.3/10
Red Fox: 9.4/10