Jul 19, 2007

Bringing toys to lifeBy Jennifer MuhmelVenturaCountyStar.com

Cherie Bouchard is seeing firsthand how a toy craze takes off with the increasingly popular Webkinz pet.

The plush toy comes with a secret code that allows the owner to enter Webkinz.com, an online world where kids can play with a virtual version of their toy pet.

When the owner registers the code online, the pet comes to life. Each owner gets one year’s access and 2,000 in KinzCash to use in the virtual world to purchase food, clothing or decorate the pet’s room.

Owners can earn more KinzCash by playing games and fulfilling various tasks. Games include math, word and shape puzzles in the vein of “Tetris” or sudoku. Most reward critical thinking in some fashion or another.

Ganz Inc. released the toys in April 2005.

Webkinz is going to far exceed what Trolls and Ty Beanie Babies did because it’s not just a plush animal, said Bouchard, owner of Cherie Amour, a gift shop at 63 S. California St. in Ventura.

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