Mommy has been working very hard to get me to like this
new toy called Sophie the Giraffe.
I agree, she’s kinda cute, but I don’t get all the hubbub about her. Seems like just one more toy. Is it because all the cool kids have it, because it’s chic, or because it’s French? Hmmm I decided I needed to do some research to check her out:
“Sophie la Girafe,” was first made in Paris in 1961, and came to the USA in 2000, at the behest of Helene Dumoulin-Montgomery. At first, the French expat couldn’t convince anyone to take the imported animals —both Toys R Us and FAO Schwarz rejected the teether, deeming it too expensive. But for Teri Weiss, who sells $500 infant dresses at the Elegant Child boutique in Beverly Hills, the cost was not a concern. In 2002, Weiss started placing Sophie in the gift baskets she creates for Hollywood stars. Thanks to celebrity endorsements such as Kate Hudson, Weiss was eventually selling 125 giraffes per day. Today over 500,000 Sophies are sold each year.
I still wasn’t buying it. I’m my own guy and not going to just follow along. But I had to give Sophie a chance to see why everyone loves her so much. And you know what, they’re right! She’s made of really soft rubber, her neck and legs are easy to grab, and her funny noise makes me laugh. I can’t wait to chew her horns that supposedly will soothe my gums when my teeth come in.
Now I’m on the Sophie bandwagon.
I
As usual, Mommy knows best!