Sylvanian Families facts for kids
Sylvanian Families (シルバニアファミリー, Shirubania famirii) are popular toy figures that look like animals. These figures are made from plastic and have soft, fake fur. They are special because they are anthropomorphic, which means they act and live like humans.
The Sylvanian Families toys first started in Japan in 1985. A company called Epoch created them. They quickly became popular and are now sold all over the world. Many books, DVDs, and TV shows have been made about these characters.
When they first came out, the characters were mostly woodland animals. This included bears, rabbits, and hedgehogs. Over time, new animals like penguins, meerkats, and elephants joined the families. The name "sylvan" actually means "forest" in Latin, which fits their original theme.
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What is the Sylvanian World Like?
The world of Sylvanian Families is set in a peaceful, rural place. It often looks like the countryside in the 1950s. Most of the families are middle-class and enjoy many nice things. They have local shops and businesses.
The characters love fun activities like horse riding and rowing. They also enjoy hosting garden parties. They even have simple caravans for short holidays. This lets them explore beyond their homes, whether it's a small cottage or a big town house.
How Sylvanian Families Grew
Sylvanian Families were first launched in Japan and North America in 1985. They were a huge hit! By 1987, they arrived in Western Europe and the UK.
By 1988, these small toys were famous worldwide. They even won the London Toy of the Year award three times in a row. No other toy had ever done that before or since! Because they were so popular, an animated TV series was made in the late 1980s. This show was very popular in Spain and the UK, and later aired in America in the 1990s.
The Story of Stopping and Starting Again
Even with all their success, Sylvanian Families faced a challenge in the mid-1990s. The company that made them in the UK, Tomy, lost the rights to sell them. This meant the toys stopped being sold there for a while.
But in the late 1990s, a new company called Flair took over. They brought Sylvanian Families back to the UK! In 2007, the toys celebrated their 20th birthday. For this special event, a limited edition Dalmatian family was released. They wore red party hats that said 'happy birthday'. This family hadn't been sold since the toys stopped production earlier.
In 2012, Sylvanian Families celebrated their 25th birthday. To mark this, a special celebration rabbit family was sold. It was a birthday they might never have seen if Flair hadn't brought them back!
Exploring Sylvanian Homes
Sylvanian characters can live in all sorts of homes. There are many houses to choose from. You can find a simple two-room cottage or a huge nine-room grand hotel.
There are also many different furniture items to put inside these homes. You can find basic furniture like a table, a bed, or a toilet. There are also more fancy items, such as a luxury brass bed or velvet-covered chairs. You can even get a full bathroom set with a shower, sink, and toilet. Some items are just for fun, like a baby nursery room or a roof garden.
Special Sylvanian Shops
There are special places where fans can experience the world of Sylvanian Families.
The London Shop
In London, there is a famous Sylvanian Families shop at 68 Mount Grove Road. It's a small shop, but it's packed with figures, displays, and new box sets. People from all over the world visit this shop to see its amazing collection.
The Japanese Museum and Shop
In Japan, there's an even bigger experience! There's a giant, life-size Sylvanian Families village. It includes a bakery that sells real bread, just like the bread from the Watermill Bakery in the toy sets. Visitors can meet life-size Sylvanian characters and walk inside houses that look exactly like the toy models.
See also
In Spanish: Sylvanian Families para niños
