Happy Birthday Sophie

Phew! There was a heat wave in Dorset today, it was even warm in the shop and that rarely happens.

Our product of the day was......drumroll please......Sophie the Giraffe. She was in high demand, mainly being bought as a present for new babies, but also by mums who had seen her in action with friends' babies.

Sophie is 50 years old this year! Born in France in 1961, Sophie quickly became a “must have” in baby’s essentials. Designed to stimulate the senses and soothe teething gums, mothers recognise right away the benefits of this little giraffe for their child.

Sophie the Giraffe has wowed over 20 million babies (and parents!) with her natural beauty and charm. These days in France 9 out of 10 newborn babies are given their own Sophie La Girafe.

Most importantly her flexible, renewable, natural rubber materials and non-toxic paint mean Sophie the Giraffe is a safe and all-natural teething toy for your little one.

Vulli, a company based in Rumilly in the Haute-Savoie region of France has continued to keep the jealously-guarded secret of how this wonder toy is made. In today’s fast paced world it is unusual to see a high production toy still "tradionally produced" and made by hand: Sophie requires more than 14 manual manufacturing steps.

From your baby's perspective, Sophie offers so much, stimulating all their senses.

SIGHT : At the age of 3 months, a baby's eyesight is still limited and he can only make our high contrasts. The dark and contrasting attention-catching spots all over Sophie the Giraffes body provide visual stimulation and she soon becomes a familiar and reassuring object for baby.

HEARING : Her squeaker keeps baby amused, stimulates his hearing and then later, helps him to understand the link between cause and effect.

TASTE : Sophie the Giraffe is made of 100% natural rubber and food paint, and is completely safe to chew, just like a feeding bottle teat. Her soft texture and numerous chewable parts (ears, horns, legs) make her perfect for soothing baby's sore gums when teething.

TOUCH : Touch is the first means baby has of communicating with the outside world. Sophie the Giraffe's soft feel is just like mummy's skin, stimulating soothing physiological and emotional responses that soothe baby.

SMELL : The singular scent of natural rubber (from the Hevea tree) makes Sophie the Giraffe very special and easy for your child to identify amid all his other toys.

EASY TO GRIP : Sophie the Giraffe's shape and 18cm size are perfect for baby's small hands. She is very light and her long legs and neck are easy for baby to grip, even from his earliest days.

All this aside, the fact remains that Sophie is loved by babies everywhere. Put a few babies on a picnic rug with Sophie and I can guarantee they will gravitate towards her!