Pick a duck, monkey, elephant, hippo, or frog in this velvety soft line of easy-to-grab toys. Each has an unstuffed body and small head with stitched features. Or, adapted from the BLUE CHIP Flatso line, small bunnies or bear with unstuffed bodies. These are the kind of soft toy that is likely to become a favorite “lovie.” Also cute and not too loud, Flatso 9" Rattles ($10.50 ). (800) 682-3427.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2007. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Spunky is an adorable puppy (available in tan, blue or pink). When you turn the plastic wind up key, Spunky begins to play Rock a Bye Baby--and Spunky moves his head slowly along with the music. An old fashion toy that is still just right as a first musical toy. The musical sounds like a music box-- a refreshing departure from the more commonplace electronic music that has taken over most baby toys.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2008. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

One of our favorite collections of the season! These mother/child animal pairs (duck, rabbit, lamb and frog) play music when you pull on the baby animal. What's so special? They each play a different Beatles song ("Yellow Submarine", "Imagine", "And I Love Her" and "Here Comes the Sun") with a lovely music box quality. Charming!

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2008. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Newest in the Tiny Love play mat line-up, this one comes with the usual cross bars, dangly toys to bat at, mirror and bold graphics. What’s new here is a big monkey with a light-up tummy that plays electronic music when touched. We had mixed emotions about the monkey, but we think big brothers and sisters will like trying it out to entertain their new baby. Comes with a pillow for tummy time fun.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2008. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2008.

Wind the baby lamb on its Mama’s back and it turns slowly to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb. A sweet plush musical in white non-shed plush with pink satin trim hooves, gossamer bows and stitched features. Of course, the pink trim makes it very gender specific. We like the real music box sound. So much more pleasing than so many electronic musicals. Newborn and up.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2008. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A bright yellow humpty dumpty shaped critter with big stitched eyes and stripes and licks of eye-catching black and white trims. Attached are many dangly teethers, squeakers, and rings for little hands to explore. Looks a lot like the colorful Woozit toys we have told you about in the past. Hang this one on stroller or car seat.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

We like the textured and clear graphics on this  36” x 28 ½ “ play mat with a warm orange, teal, brown and green palate. Patterned cross bars allow for dangly toys for baby to gaze at and eventually reach out and touch. It has a polka-dotted tummy time pillow and peek-a-boo surprises. We can do without some of the electronic sounds and lights on the Tiki Hut, but baby cannot turn them on, so you don’t need to, either. The safety mirror on the same hut is somewhat distorted, but that said, this is a more attractive mat than most. Newborn and up.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2008. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

One of our pet peeves is that most mobiles don't have objects that point down towards the baby. Most are just bland room decorations that go round and round with no focus on the intended user- your baby! In contrast, this new mobile from Tiny Love (as with their other entries in this category) get the point. Here, there's a monkey, giraffe and bird that all are tilted towards your baby. They move slowly so that they provide great tracking opportunities. Also a plus there is a remote control so that you can turn on the music (Mozart or Bach) or two nature sounds. They each play for twenty minutes. Remember mobiles need to be removed as soon as your baby can reach them (usually by 5 months).

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2008. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A sweet huggable cat that’s 12" from top to paw all done up in patterned velour. It’s pink, green and yellow—a happy palette with checks and polka dots and all stitched features with a quiet rattle sound sewn inside for safe keeping. Newborn & up.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2008. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.