Books & Posters

As heard on NPR's "Weekend Edition Sunday" and seen on Entertainment Weekly's "Must List."

You showed us your Dirty Wow Wows: Enjoy the gallery of entries and charming stories about how each got its name.

Monkey

Monkey started out with tons of white hair, brown fur, and a bright red smile. Since we first became inseparable 27 years ago, Monkey has had the misfortune of needing major surgery--every seam in his body has been replaced at one point in time, his nose is duct-taped in, and his fur has become quite mangy-looking. I remember I used to think that Monkey
had ribs. But then I realized that it was only the pattern of the fur backing. Too bad.

Submitted by giselle | 5/16/07

Corduroy Ted

This is Corduroy Ted. He is 33 years old and made of corduroy. He wears a cardigan to cover the scars from when my sister tried to pull his arm off. He used to have a mouth but she pulled that off too, in 1982, he hasn't said a word since.

Submitted by Libby Bradshaw | 5/16/07

Snoopy

Snoopy entered my life on my third birthday, over 41 years ago. My mother says he had a third dimension and a mouth when I got him, but for as long as I can remember he's been flat and mute. That's ok, however, because we communicate telepathically. I wish I could make a perfume called "Eau de Snoopy," because he has a magical smell that makes all things better. Or at least it does for me.

Submitted by Kathy | 5/16/07

Pillow Fighter

I never gave her a name other than the one she came with - Pillow Fighter. She was given to me for Christmas in 1986 when Pillow People first came out. I was 10 years old and now, 21 years later, she still sleeps in bed with me (and my husband and two cats). She's been to college with me, every business trip I've been on and even to Thailand to visit my family... She's been "operated on" numerous times and has been there for me through sick times, happy times and sad times. She'll never be replaced!

Submitted by Patama Blitstein | 5/16/07

Mr. Piggy

This is Mr. Piggy. He is 37 years old. My older brother gave him to me when I was born. I'm now 24 and he still gives me plenty of hugs! He is spending the night at my mum's to receive some ear surgery.

Submitted by Darleen | 5/16/07

Mr. Turtle

This is Mr. Turtle, a project I did in home ec in junior high in the very early '80s. The teacher hated him with a purple passion, hated the awful stitching I had done, showed it as an example of what NOT to do for projects, and she gave him a D minus. This fellow has been with me for some 27 years, and with the exception of his smile falling apart, I am pleased to say that he has held up well over the years without any rips or tears but he has been on the receiving end of much love. I'd love to hunt that home ec teacher down and show her what she dissed so many years ago!

Submitted by TJ Currey | 5/16/07

Teddy

My special friend Teddy – we are the same age (45) He was waiting in my crib when I came from the hospital. My sister age 10 went to the store; bought teddy and put him in my crib. At one point Teddy had no eyes, nose or mouth; my grandmother sewed buttons and my Dad used a marker for his smile. Grandma and Dad are gone now; I look at Teddy, remember them and smile.

Submitted by Randy Graff | 5/16/07

Pipsa

Pipsa the bunny was given to me 19 years ago on the day I was born. My mom named her Pipsa, because that goes well with the word pupu, which is Finnish for a bunny.

Submitted by Elina | 5/16/07

Mr. Bear

Mr. Bear is my 11 year old son's. He inherited him from me which makes him about 24 years old now. Poor Mr. Bear had to have a bit of a face transplant after Grandma and Grandpa's dog got to him. No worries, Grandma came to the rescue and stitched him up like a pro!

Submitted by J. Vandermeer | 5/16/07

Fluffiphant

His name is Fluffiphant, because he is (a) fluffy, and (b) an elephant. He sat in the sun for so long that his pink color faded. So my mom dyed him pink again.

Submitted by Pati Kickland | 5/16/07

Roar
&
Elka

Roar the lion came with us on our honeymoon and was a little lonely, so we bought Elka the seal and they became best friends on that trip. For ten years they've gone everywhere with us! They've had adventures all over... from the snow to tropical beaches (here they are, chillin' on Brampton Island). They have their own website and online comic strip, Totally Teddies :-)

Submitted by Amanda Penrose | 5/15/07

Bear

Ok...first off..Bear is not "dirty"...he is loved. He is 22 years old, and in great shape. He has been through the washing machine, the dryer, the DISH WASHER, had his head torn off, both arms and legs, as well as had his nose sewn on TWICE. he also has cataracts in both eyes. But above all his "love"...he still sleeps with me every night, and I wake up whenever he falls out of bed. Bear is my best friend.

Submitted by Kim | 5/15/07

Lamby

It’s hard to believe but Lamby only turns 9 on June 1. As my daughter’s special friend he has endured being eaten (fur, stuffing), dragged around by tail and neck and has even had emergency spinal and neck surgery (there is a ribbon sewn where his neck used to join his body).

Submitted by Megan McCracken | 5/15/07

I have had this bear since the day i was born on may 7, 1979. My dad and bought him for me and a larger version for my mom. She still has hers as well! He doesn't have a name. By the time I was old enough to understand the concept of naming him, I think it had been so long without a name that none of them ever seemed right. I don't sleep with him often anymore. As you can see his paws are cracked and the stuffing falls out so i keep him on my couch. Look at his cute little red tounge!

Submitted by Jody Clark | 5/15/07

Peekaboo

This is my bunny, originally named Peekaboo for his long ears...I'm 19 and have slept with him almost every night for 17 years. You can't see from the picture because my camera sucks, but his nose is very worn, and his tail is always in danger of falling off. I don't know what I would do without him.

Submitted by Shaina | 5/15/07

Boopy

This is Boopy. I got him for my first birthday, which makes him 25 now.
His real name was Drooper. In toddler language, that translated to Boopy,
which caused me to undergo a lot of teasing at sleepovers in later years.
”Why do you have a stuffed animal named BOOBIE??” “His name is BOOP-Y!” Sometimes his nose falls off, and he has bald spots, but I still love him!

Submitted by Rachel | 5/15/07

Mici

"Mici" (pronounced mee-see) was a Christmas present 24 years ago. Though I didn't sleep with her, we were inseparable when I was awake. Mici would often wear a doll dress or decorative ribbons tied around various body parts. I remember once I couldn't find her and, after endless searching, I started to cry; then I looked down and realized that Mici had been in my hand the whole time I was looking for her!

Submitted by Laura Darlington | 5/15/07

Meow Meow

The stuffing around Meow Meow's middle is worn and thin from clutching her to me under her front paws around her stomach. She fits perfectly snuggled under your arm. Her fur sure is matty and isn't as white as it used to be. Ears and whiskers are bent. Not sure how the name started; I imagine myself "meowing" all over with her.

Submitted by Megan Case | 5/15/07

Lion

My Dirty Wow Wow is my dear friend Lion, sometimes known as Li-Guy. He was a gift from my aunt when I was newborn and has been with me for the past 30 years. He's seen many repairs and lost some of his beans, making him a bit floppy. I did "trim" his plastic whiskers when I was young and was heartbroken when I found out they wouldn't grow back like regular whiskers or hair. He's forgiven me since then, thankfully.

Submitted by Melanie Lawson | 5/15/07

Night Bear

This is Night Bear. My aunt gave him to me when I was five (20 years ago), and I knew right away that he was The One. He has always slept
in my bed, and provided me with soft yet firm comfort. And, of course, he's also the mascot of Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime tea (my aunt used to work for them). I still have his night cap somewhere, but it came unglued long ago. His name is pretty self-explanatory, I would guess.

Submitted by Hermine Vermeij | 5/15/07

Bear

This is "my Bear" (ah the creativity of a two-year-old). Handmade by my Great-Aunt Mary in 1981, his life has been long, and rough, and full of love. Over the years he lost first one eye and then the other, much stuffing and almost all of his fur, and has been stitched and mended repeatedly. Still, when I am alone at night, I sleep with him clutched in the crook of my arm.

Submitted by Leah Daughetee | 5/15/07

Monster
Eating
Dog

This is Monster Eating Dog (Med, for those who know him well). He was
named by mother, when I was about 2, to save me from a spate of
nightmares. I bought it--He used to show up in my dreams and let me ride away on his back. Despite this, I still pulled off his nose because I
thought it looked like an Oreo cookie. My neighbor broke his left eye. I
never quite forgave her for that.

Submitted by Jenny | 5/15/07

Ted

This is my lovey, Ted, (now 30) and his mentee, my daughter's Bu (age 2). Ted was my first Christmas present from my dad. Bu was my daughter's first present from her dad. In the tradition of Rocking Horse in The Velveteen Rabbit, Ted is teaching Bu the ropes of what it means to be loved, to be real, to a little girl.

Submitted by Tiffany | 5/15/07

Pawla

Pawla has been my best stuffed animal friend since my early childhood. Pawla is a 1983 Applause Teddy Bear with brown short fur, a rather worn nose from Eskimo kisses, and due to her rather advanced age she has cataracts--her eyes have been scratched since I was a little girl. She was always a very good listener, and has followed me practically everywhere (including on trips to New York, Florida, and thoughout Maryland.)

Submitted by Paula Riccobono | 5/15/07

Pink Teddy

This is Pink Teddy, he will be 28 years old tomorrow. He used to be fluffy and pink, and he used to have a nose and a little red tongue. His rattle was replaced when I was very small, and he has had numerous home surgeries to keep his yellow, foam pieces from popping out. He no longer sleeps in the bed with me, but he does have a nice spot propped up on the nightstand.

Submitted by Carrie Spezzano | 5/15/07

Monty

His name is Monty, because he's a python. I don't remember when I got him, only that I was about as tall as he is long. I don't know when I actually named him, but it was fairly early on — I come from a Monty Python family (I'm the youngest of four kids), so I was exposed to the name at a young age.

Submitted by John Hull | 5/15/07

Bapa

My great aunt knit Bapa and a matching poncho for me when I was a baby. I don't have the poncho anymore, but I still sleep with Bapa every night- 28 years later. During the day, she likes to rest underneath my pillow. I don't know why I call her Bapa, but I think that I was trying to say blanket. She used to be rainbow colored, but now she's mostly grey. She's frayed and knotted and is terrified of being washed (because she probably would disintigrate), but I still love her.

Submitted by Tracy Carrie | 5/15/07

Bear

This is Bear. He has been with me for 23 years now and has seen a lot in his life. Through all the wear and tear, he's been sewn and restuffed, but still loved more than ever.

Submitted by Tracy Camesi | 5/15/07

Bunny

I named him when I was 2, and since I have tried to change his name to something more creative, but the name bunny has always stuck. Poor bunny has had surgery on both his arms, his head, and he has been re-stuffed twice.

Submitted by Sarah | 5/15/07

Muffy

This is Muffy Shuggums Rabbit. He is twenty-three years old and saw my son through all his childhood illnesses. Muffy Shuggums was the only toy who soothed and comforted. He got his name because originally he was very fluffy (muffy). Shuggums comes from the dots on his ears and feet, which, to a little boy, looked like sugar.

Submitted by Anita Fair | 5/15/07

Bunny Foo Foo

Bunny FooFoo is over 31 years old. My parents bought him for me before I was born. His eyes, fur, and fluff have been loved away over the years and he's had many surgeries (his bottom has been replaced with a cloth). I have an irrational love for the little fellow (he's like my own Velveteen Rabbit).

Submitted by Ariel Dawn | 5/15/07

Clyde

This is Clyde. During our years together he has endured patiently as I dragged him around everywhere by his ears (now just a single ear), loved all the fur off of him, and caused him to undergo many emergency surgeries. Today, at the age of 36, he naps on a shelf in my home office, happily presiding over my workday. Next to him is a picture of us together, back when we were both brand new.

Submitted by Christina Barclay | 5/15/07

Chippy

Chippy was a gift for my first birthday(I am now 34). My gramma did her
best to save his original body by covering him in a leotard. Since gramma
is no longer here, my mom is doing her best to patch the holes and wash him gently. My husband wishes he would just die as he shares the bed with us each night...and yes...That included our wedding night 8/26/06!

Submitted by Celeste | 5/15/07

Baba

This is "Baba". She was a baby shower gift given to me over 35 years ago. She's followed me through sleepovers, college, boyfriends, etc. in constant fear of being mistaken as a rag and being tossed away. She really was once a blankie, but over the years, certain favorite "silky spots" also became favorites pieces to the family dog.

Submitted by S Rogstad | 5/15/07

Ruger

Meet Ruger (no relation to the handgun). Ruger, a.k.a. Roogey, celebrated his 21st birthday on Christmas. He has gone on every family vacation, attended countless slumber parties, and even survived four years of college. Ruger still has all of his limbs but sadly his little brother, Baby Ruger (who he used to carry around with his velcro paws), went missing during college and hasn't been seen since. Ruger spends his days chilling on my bed with my real dog, Dixie.

Submitted by Lindsey Beacham | 5/15/07

Christmas Bear
&
White Rabbit

I've had these two little critters since I was a baby (I'm almost 24 now) and they've always been a part of the Christmas season. They're not very unique toys and their names are anything but original but I loved them so much - and still do! Whenever the tree was decorated, I'd stick them underneath so they could have Christmas with the family. Now that I've gotten married and moved away, Christmas Bear and The White Rabbit have moved with me. And when I have children....they won't be allowed to even touch my special plush friends! Haha!

Submitted by Leah | 5/15/07

Rainbow

Rainbow survived years of kidnapping threats from my older sister and 4 years of babysitting from my little sister while I was away at college. At 6, my parents tried to deflect my love of Rainbow with a Cabbage Patch doll. But, I simply saw that Cabbage Patch as the perfect size to share clothes with Rainbow; hence the pink overalls she wears to this day. Years later, Rainbow's legs suffered stuffing loss. I tried to use my Girl Scout sewing skills, but to no avail. Despite, her amputated leg and missing mouth, my love for Rainbow is unconditional. She still gets wet from my snot and tears, and even when I stuff her in my closet when boyfriends come over, she still loves me just as much!

Submitted by April Gaudette | 5/15/07

Nigh-Night

This is Nigh-night. My 4 year old son, Gavin, has been carrying this
favorite companion of his around since he was 8 months old. What was once a beautiful, bright white stuffy has been "Scratched" and "Loved" into this lifeless, dirty, puppy that I fear my son will be hiding from a wife and children someday.

Submitted by Stacey Murray | 5/15/07

Teddy

I was born a month early - my mom went into labor at my own baby shower. My parents placed Teddy, one of the shower gifts, in the cradle with me. Later, I pulled out Teddy's fur and stuck it up my nose. My parents thought that this was hilarious. Teddy still lays on my bed, wearing the newborn baby shirt I wore home from the hospital. He's 27. One day older than me.

Submitted by Heather | 5/15/07

Taddy

This brown blob use to be a very handsome potato in a tuxedo with arms, legs, a nose and facial features. He was given to me by a friend in 1986 and 21 years later I still can’t sleep without him. He goes everywhere with my and was even at the hospital when I gave birth to my son. He has had many repairs over the years and my husband even stitched my initials into his bottom. He is truly loved and cannot be replaced. I have tried to find another potato to use as a back up but cannot find him or his female counter part.

Submitted by Catherine Hyle | 5/15/07

Gwizzly

I bought Gwizzly from a convenience store more than five years ago and it's traveled all around the world with me (I was a flight stewardess). It has not been cleaned till just two days ago. That's because my hubby and me are using it as our ring bearer in just over a month for our wedding! The hubby snapped the picture of Gwizzly wearing my engagement ring on the night he proposed to me in Hong Kong. What a bear.

Submitted by Serene | 5/15/07

Tikky

His name is Tikky, he's a piggy bear (since his nose looks like a pig but he has bear ears and tail) I had him since 1999. He got worn out because I always wash him using washing machine. Most of his stuffing already came out and I stitched him back few times. He's a plush hand puppet, I always like to dress him up.

Submitted by Destri E. Andorf | 5/15/07

Puffy

This is Puffy. He is a Fisher Price Puffalump. I've had him since I was about 2 years old, which makes him 19! He has gone everywhere with me and sleeps with me every night. Puffy has had a few "open heart surgeries" and has lost most of his stuffing, so now he's kind of see through! He's quite dirty because he rarely sees the washing machine. I love him!

Submitted by Rebecca Pearson | 5/15/07

Buttery

Meet Buttery. She arrived on my 5th birthday and I named her Buttery Butterscotch (after her original color). This pup without a tail now has big patches of her fur missing, and her underlying fabric is starting to disintegrate. Due to her delicate state, she hasn't bathed in years, but I think she smells wonderful! Buttery is 21 years old, and still spends every single night tucked close under my chin.

Submitted by Emily Hanan | 5/15/07

Wolfy

This is Wolfy, my buddy. When Wolfy was new he could turn inside-out to look like a globe but now that pocket is where his one eye, ear, and nose are kept. Wolfy's tail also fell off and is held on by a safety pin. He has numerous holes and is quite threadbare but he's still my best friend and sleeps in my bed every night!

Submitted by Erika Pearson | 5/15/07

Angel Bunny

I got my first Angel Bunny (named for his wings and former halo) when I was born. At age two, I accidentally left it at a grocery store while on a family road trip. I was inconsolable and cried myself to sleep every night when we got home to Florida. Then my parents whipped out a brand new one and told me my uncle found it back at the store. I totally bought it and have taken Angel Bunny everywhere with me ever since (I am now 22).

Submitted by Marissa N. Newhall | 5/15/07

Teddy

This is Teddy. I got him for Christmas from Santa in 1972. He is lounging on a blanket that was supposed to be my little sister's. She died at birth in November 1972. My Mom gave me Carol Sue's baby blankets for my dolls. I didn't know this until a few years ago. Teddy slept with me until after I was married. It wasn't all that long ago that I decided I didn't need to have Teddy buried with me

Submitted by Trish Clifford | 5/15/07

The Ratscallion

This is "The Ratscallion". He has always been mischievous. Early in his life
he was called a rapscallion by someone with a more developed vocabulary. He is part rat & part green onion.

Submitted by Noah | 5/15/07

Teddy-Kun

Teddy-Kun is both my boyfriend and my Dirty Wow Wow. After 16 years of being loved, his stuffing nearly gone and fur matted, Teddy was passed to me on our first Sweetest Day together. Now 6 years later Teddy’s traveled to Italy, Had an eye and grin re-sewn, survived 2 cases of Mono, and now sleeps with me at college. At 22 with stealth and skill he protects both my boyfriend and I from enemies!

Submitted by Chelsey Walters | 5/15/07

Spot

He is nearly 30 years old.

Submitted by David Lovern | 5/15/07

Pinky

Submitted by Kristin | 5/15/07

Dactyl

The rightmost two are our original Dactyls, Grandma and Grandpa Dactyl. They were birthday presents to my son, Charles, and myself, ages 41 and 2, almost 19 years ago. They've been on family trips, taken to conferences, and helped keep calm at contentious meetings. (They're really rhamphorhynchuses, not pterodactyls).

Submitted by Robert Clear | 5/15/07

Toby

This is my teddy bear Toby next to Blankie, my extremely well-worn baby blanket. They were both gifts at my baby shower, so they've been with me my entire life. Toby used to be covered with fur, but I don't actually remember that ... I've only seen him all fuzzy in pictures. I actually received three blankets at that baby shower, but this one was the only one I wanted. It was one of those large satin trimmed blankets, but I kept tearing the satin off, no matter how many times my mom tried to repair it. After 36 years, this little piece of rag is all that's left, but I'll never part with it ... Toby and Blankie are without a doubt my most precious possessions.

Submitted by Marcia Inger | 5/15/07

Finky

This is Finky. Short for elephink. He's almost 45 years old now, and has traveled with me everywhere. Note the ink stains on his writing paw. There's one place behind his right ear that has original color. My mom threw him out when I was 10, and had to go through seven pails of garbage to get him back, or I'd never speak to her again. Big boy. Harumph!

Submitted by Jason | 5/15/07

Brown Dog

Hello, my name is Brown Dog and I am sitting on top of Blankie. We both just turned 7 in April. We live with Ben. He takes great care of us. He sleeps with us every night and gives us lots of hugs and kisses. During the day we wait for Ben on the couch, but hidden from his little sister who sometimes think we are hers, to come home from school. He even lets us watch tv with him and sometimes takes us on long plane and car rides. We just went to Florida for Spring Break! We don't get washed very much anymore because Ben's Mom is afraid we might get more holes and we don't want to go back to the sewing machine again!

Submitted by ostfield | 5/15/07

Piwit

Piwit was my way of saying Penguin when I started to talk. His arms have been sewn on more times then I can count, because when I was little I would carry him around by the flipper.

Submitted by Charlotte de Vries | 5/15/07

Mousey

This is actually my son's little wow wow. His name is Mousey. So far, he's been through 3 different noses, due to several assassination attempts by the dog. The first nose was pink, then we switched to red, and now, as seen in the photo, it is a lovely whimsical green shade. I have no clue how old Mousey really is, my mother in law came up with him one day. He's not much for conversation, but he's a good listener.

Submitted by Amanda | 5/15/07

Pablo

This is Pablo, aka Pablopotomus, aka Hippo, aka Mr Hippo Pants. He was once baby blue, now he's a rather fetching shade of khaki green. Pablo's pet is Teefy McRabbit and he does a very good job of looking after him and only rarely does he throw him in a fit of temper. He really is a very good natured little hippo although he has a bad habit of saying naughty words :o)

Submitted by Danielle Holbrook | 5/15/07

Too Too

My sister and I received matching stuffed dolls when I was born 24 years ago. My sister’s was “Suzie” and mine was supposed to be “Suzie 2”. She used to be pink and has a heart in place of her lost stuffing. I replaced her worn face with a scrap of my mother’s old apron. Too-Too also lost an arm to the family dog. She is much loved and still sleeps in bed with me every night.

Submitted by Morgan Cromwell| 5/15/07

Tuffy

This is "Tuffy", short for Tophias, the English Bulldog. He's around 32 years old, and he's the stuffed counter-part to a real bulldog named Tophias that the family had. As you can see, he's been taped, stitched and re-stitched. He was there to give love and comfort even after the real Tuffy passed on.

Submitted by Guy & Tamar Leary | 5/15/07

Grover

When i was 3 (1977), I had Sesame Street EVERYTHING, but Grover
was my favorite. we've done everything together: went to university, lived in Grandmother's attic, lived on a commune, hitchhiked cross-country (i left him in a truck in West Texas but the driver brought him back)... Dad used to draw his eyes on, but i don't, so he looks spooky now. also his lip is partly rubbed off and his fur is matted.

Submitted by Melanie Swinburne | 5/15/07

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