Books & Posters

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

What's a Dirty Wow Wow? It's the shabby stuffed toys and blankies you clung to and treasured from childhood, with nicknames like "Fuzzy Wuzzy," "Night Night," "Huggie," "Dup Dup," and yes, "Dirty Wow Wow." Ten Speed Press celebrates these well-loved friends of childhood in the book Dirty Wow Wow, a touching, sweet, and funny collection of photos and stories.

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

E E

Ernie is the well-known character from Sesame Street, and I referred
to him as "E E" when I was very little. I received him two months
after I was born and we've been pals ever since (I'm 25). This
picture was taken a while ago, so he has had many nose, ear, mouth,
eye transplants since.

Submitted by aliciakachmar | 5/29/07

Ruff-Ruff

Legend has it Ruff-Ruff was won at a fair by my father about 30 years ago. I am now 32. I carried Ruff-Ruff around in the crook of my elbow by his neck. Hence, the lack of stuffing in his head. You can see he also has several holes where his fur has been worn thin. He now resides in a plastic ziploc bag. Only to be taken out for rare photo ops.

Submitted by Jesi Olney | 5/28/07

Yogi
&
Minutia

Yogi, left, was originally my brother’s. I love him because he reminds me of my brother. My dad bought Minutia for me when I was 15 (he’s almost 20!). He goes with me whenever I travel. Because his fur covers his eyes and he has no mouth, he has the funniest expressions. Thinking of all his varied expressions is one of the few things in the world that make me truly, truly happy. I’ve looked for identical bears on eBay, just in case, but my heart knows they’re irreplaceable.

Submitted by F. Valdez | 5/27/07

Blue Loggy

This is "Blue Loggy." I picked him out from a shop selling handmade crafts when I was little. I originally named him Blue Doggy. My twin sister used to steal him and call him Blue Loggy (for he is shaped like a log) and sit on him. Her version of the name is the one that stuck. He originally had two eyes and a nose, but they were worn away years ago. That horizontal seam is all he's ever had for a mouth.

Submitted by Sarah Way | 5/27/07

Cherry Bear

This is Cherry Bear. He is made of real beaver fur. My grandparents had him made for me from one of Granny's old fur coats. Tufts of fur sometimes fell out, but he has no visible bald spots. Cherry is a youthful 27 years old, and has aged quite gracefully. Despite his youth, he doesn't work much these days and spends most of his time in the old rocker.

Submitted by Hannah | 5/27/07

Digger

I don’t know why, but he has always been Digger and he has always been with me. My mother received him at a baby shower about a month before I was born. Digger has been loved nearly to death. After years of abuse,
my mother finally resorted to wrapping him in an Ace bandage. Digger and I celebrate the big 3-0 next year. I think he deserves his own cake.

Submitted by Staci Robinson | 5/27/07

Blankie

my blankie is 24.5 years old. he used to be about the size of a bath towel, but now he's one long string. years of love have taken their toll on him. he's too old to travel these days, and when i sleep with him, i'm always a little afraid he might strangle me in the night. his descendants are in the picture as well - though i have a bad habit of unravelling blankie, i always keep the pieces that come off and save them. maybe one day i'll see if i can re-crochet him together...

Submitted by katelyn gordon | 5/27/07

Bananas

Submitted by Carol Wilkinson | 5/27/07

This is Bear, his name is Bo. He was a Christmas gift to myself 18 years
ago--in truth I adopted my best friend. He has seen me through it all--
nasty break-up, loss of my mother, my first 18 day solo road trip along the west coast. My wedding, my father's passing, cherry blossoms in DC, my daughter's birth, my brother's death. He goes everywhere with me--I love him!

Submitted by Noran Marie Gillian Warot | 5/27/07

Dino

This is my dinosaur Dino (pronounced DEE-no). I got him when I was born. In eighteen years I have gone through three Dinos. This is #3. #1 and #2 have mysteriously disappeared in two moves. Dino used to be a proud and plump stegosaurus. He had bright green skin, blue and red spikes, and a bright yellow bow tie. After being hugged, loved, unstuffed, and dragged around, this more portable Dino is all that remains.

Submitted by Sarah Johnson | 5/27/07

Rabby

Attached you will find a picture of Rabby, a dear friend given to me by my grandmother when I was born. Once white, he is now of a brown hue; a result of many camping trips, playing in the yard, and generally going with me where ever I went when I was young. His poor eye is scratched due to a fall from the operating table when he accompanied me to have my broken arm fixed when I was six. He has held a distinguished place on my bed to this very day. A very good friend indeed...

Submitted by Andria Salas | 5/26/07

Mew Mew

This is my cat's dirty wow wow. After adopting him, I felt bad that he was home alone all day. I bought him this black doggie with the heart-shaped nose from the Valentine's sale rack. Every night, he carries this poor thing around by the neck and uses him as a pillow. He's losing stuffing and sometimes, he'll be laying around with bits of cat food stuck to his head. I'm not clear on his formal, given name, but the cat calls him MewMew.

Submitted by Hannah | 5/26/07

Shoofy

Shoofy is 56 years young and used to be my uncle's stuffed animal
before being passed down to me. His name is a mispronunciation of the
Yiddish word for sleep, "Shlof", and comes from his sleeping position.
When I was two I used to nibble on his fur during my naps because "I
wanted him inside and outside of me". He wears a hospital bracelet as
he would go into operations with me when I was younger. In his lifetime
he served as a pillow, tissue, cushion, best friend, secret keeper, and
companion. I can't picture going anywhere without him.

Submitted by Shayna Rudolph | 5/26/07

CiCi

This is a picture of both of my two old toys I had as a child, I got the standing cat after my brother was born and since then she has lost her dress as it was thin material and eventually dirtied and tore. I never really had an official name for her sadly... The faded tanish cat is a Pound Purrie and was originally orange. When I was a baby I couldn't pronounce "Susie" which is what I wanted to name her after a neighborhood cat that lived in the unit next door. All I could say was "CiCi" and so that became its name. I'm very glad to find that I still had both.

Submitted by ash1kari | 5/26/07

Leo

Meet Leo... he was bought for me by my Auntie Bev at the Salvation Army when I was two (I'm now 29) Leo once had to undergo emergency surgery by my mother after my older brother gutted him as payback for stealing his Lego. Leo also had a nose replacement but I was so upset that he looked 'different' that my poor well meaning Grandmother had to remove it! Leo is now a little threadbare and nose-less but his inner bell still jingles. Also don't be fooled by his 'flat' appearance, it's from all the hugs I've given him over the years!

Submitted by Jenn | 5/25/07

Teddy

This is "Teddy" I have had him since the first day I was born (21 years). He was given to me from a family friend, and since the day I was born he has never left my side. I have had other stuffed animals, but none of them could ever take his place. To this day I am 21 years old in college and I still sleep with my teddy bear.

Submitted by Nikki | 5/25/07

Humphrey

This is Humphrey. He is more than just a camel. he's my travelling companion and my biggest fan. Wherever I dance, he's there to cheer and I can always count on his support, even if I make a mistake. He's been searched by airport security, but I don't think he looks suspicious. He looks like a friend, and I love him.

Submitted by Lauren Black | 5/25/07

Brian

This little bear had big shoes to fill when he had to take over "cuddle duties" when his predecessor became too fragile to carry on. Brian came home with my parents from a weekend in Ottawa; Brian was of course accompanied by Mila (tribute to the then current PM and his wife), a bear for my sister. Brian may seem old and threadbare but that little guy has lots of love in him.

Submitted by Jennifer Black | 5/25/07

Teddy

Allow me to introduce you to Teddy, simply Teddy. My grandmother bestowed him upon me before I was old enough to remember and he's still by my bedside now that I'm all grown up. My mom had to knit a sweater onto him lest his head and arms come while accompanying me in everything I did. While he may seem sad and worn, he wears the scars of love and affection. This is my Teddy.

Submitted by Jennifer Black | 5/25/07

Fi-Fi

Here is a pic of my daughter's beloved "Fi-Fi" as she called it.she still sleeps w/it. It's been ripped into so many pcs & tied back together in knots. LOL

Submitted by Debbie | 5/25/07

Babbie

When I was a baby, my daddy bought me a stuffed bat, which became my constant companion. I called him Babbie, probably a 2-year-old
pronunciation of "baby." After many years of love, my daddy got me a
replacement, Babbie 2.0, which I immediately rejected. After nearly 25 years, I still sleep with Babbie every night, but now Babbie 2.0 gets to stay on my bed. I don't care that my friends think Babbie looks disgusting either.

Submitted by Christine | 5/24/07

Doggy

A long time ago, Doggy had a functioning music box in its head. By extending the neck, the music box would play. That feature deceased after long days afield and consequential trips through the washer and dryer. The lack of a functioning music box never dminished Hunter's connection to Doggy. Doggy has traveled extensively throughout the Pacific Northwest and to Mexico twice and Hawaii three times. Doggy was lost three times: At the DMV, the grocery store, and most recently, at the Bend-Redmond Airport. All three times wise souls kept doggy in lost and found knowing that someone would reclaim such a well-loved dog. Grandmother's knitting and stitching skills have been required on several occasions to keep doggy's innards in. Hunter has many other stuffed pals, but prefers doggy over all comers.

Submitted by Katy Elliot | 5/24/07

Poochie Goochie

As the daughter of a diplomat, I left the United States at the age of
two, but would accompany my parents every few years to visit relatives
and friends, and to purchase items from the "land of the big PX". It
was on one of these visits at the age of five, I was given a choice of
a toy as a gift by the daughter of friends. Despite the array of
tantalizing dolls and games, it was a rather mauled looking yellow dog
that caught my eye. I feared he or she would never be given a 2nd
chance, so grabbed the yellow dog without a second glance and named her
POOCHIE GOOCHIE. Poochie Goochie has been with me for 53 years
traveling the world over, and always nearby. Despite the loss of body
fur, repeated repairs and the mauling by a few real dogs, she has
survived the worst, and been my most trusted companion. I have no doubt that one day she will be claimed by someone else who has a good
eye to know a good dog when they see one.

Submitted by Mary A. James | 5/24/07

No Name

NO NAME came into my life after my father slipped away on Thanksgiving morning 2000. I found him watching over my father from a bookshelf across from his bed, and remembered him from the baby photos of the two of them. During the years my father was a diplomat in 9 countries, NO NAME went to each posting in a trunk along with other childhood momentos. Upon my fathers retirement, he was released from the trunk, and spent the rest of his days watching over my Dad. He now watches over me, right next to a photo of my father.

Submitted by Mary A. James | 5/24/07

Farfles

My mom used to wedge Farfles under my mattress at night to tilt me towards the wall so I wouldn’t roll out of bed. I made sure she faced him out so he could breathe, otherwise he wouldn’t be enjoying his 45th year with me.

Submitted by Barbara Gengarelly | 5/23/07

Lambykins

She might be experiencing a bit of molting, her eyes might have rubbed off in the washing machine once or twice, but she's mine. Lambykins came to live in the Nazzaro house after much begging and pleading by a four year old girl on a summer trip to Cape Cod. She's a cuddly old friend, who's also aTo very good listener. Lamb, as the family affectionately calls her, has been with me through ups and downs, highs and lows for 24 years. Lambykins is totally unique, just like me (minus the molt.)

Submitted by Dana Nazzaro | 5/23/07

Grover

Here's Marshall Grover, but I've always just called him Grover. He was given to me by my aunt when I was a few months old. Grover's been with me in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, and even throughout college. When I was little, I carried him around so much that my grandma had to preform numerous neck-surgeries on him. Even with flat limbs, covered in "love spots", and without eyes, Grover is everything to me. He's my Lovey.

Submitted by Kelly | 5/23/07

Brownie

Brownie was my very first stuffed animal named what he is because he's brown. As you can see from the wear and tear over 30 years, he's been hugged a lot, played with a lot (see those bald spots) and even thrown up on a few times. He was my constant companion growing up and even now when I see him, I hug him for old time's sake.

Submitted by Vincent Ferrari | 5/23/07

Dogbee

Dogbee been hugged so much the stuffing has burst his back seam.....his ears were caught in the washer and ripped. My real dog got him and Dogbee lost an eye. Dogbee's tail is chewed and frayed, not from the dog, but from me when I used to hang him from my mouth as I crawled across the floor. All his fur has been loved away but I wouldn't part with him for anything.

Submitted by Katy Morgan | 5/23/07

Fluffball

I got Fluffball for my seventh birthday from a girl who lived across the street. He's 20 years old and has lived with me everywhere I've been. I used to brush his fluffy furr, and every night when I went to bed I'd hug him as hard as I could, until I broke his neck (which my mother kindly repaired). But the dog got him twice over the next few years, breaking his neck again and stealing his nose.

Submitted by Lynne Elkins | 5/23/07

Boof

I've had him since i was born (1984) and remained unscathed, (excepting the chewed up eyes- i guess they tasted good when i was a kid) until a foster puppy i had staying at my house ate a good bit of his face and foot off. I now call him "Handicapped Boof".

Submitted by Meghan Shannon | 5/23/07

Le Mutt

LeMutt was so excited to see his brothers and sisters on this website! I received him for my first Christmas 26 years ago and have slept with him by my side ever since. He has traveled to 43 states and 5 foreign countries and is very well loved. Although he lost an eye in a tragic accident, and has had several other major surgeries, he is in fairly good shape for his age.

Submitted by Sara | 5/23/07

Beany

This is a picture of my stuffed dog “Beany”. I was born on September 30, 1977. In early November my great grandmother passed away in Germany. My grandparents had to return to Germany for the funeral so they missed my baptism. They brought Beany back from Germany for me. Beany and I have never been apart. There is not a single picture of me as a baby or a child that doesn’t have Beany somewhere in the photo. Usually I had my hand clutched around his neck which explains why it looks so long and skinny. When my sister was born two years later, she pulled Beany’s ears off. He has also been through several noses and pairs of eyes. He has been stitched and mended by the mother and by me countless times. He was, in his early years, stuffed with beans. However those beans are long gone and he is now stuffed. All through my childhood and teen years I slept with Beany. When I graduated college and moved away I still slept with Beany. Now that I am married he still sits on my night stand within arms reach. My husband learned fast not to mess with him. Whenever I feel sad or need a lift, Beany is always there. I still hold him sometimes and just sit with him. He provides a feeling of peace for me. He has literally been the one constant in my life which has seen many changes over the past 30 years. I hope he will still be with me in another 30 years.

Submitted by Theresa Luersen | 5/23/07

Kitty

Kitty is my oldest stuffed toy. (almost 40 years old) As far back as I can remember, she's only had one eye. I do remember when the key broke off her music box but I don't remember what song it used to play. Kitty sits in a place of honor on top my dresser with her old friends Bunny, Teddy and Puppy.

Submitted by Ilsa Govan | 5/22/07

Stinky

My pig Stinky sleeps in my arms every night, so it is only polite to introduce him to guests. Once, when I told a new boyfriend, "This is Stinky," he replied, "Well then why is it in your bed?" That relationship
did not last long.

Submitted by Ilsa Govan | 5/22/07

Maria Bush

This is Maria Bush. She's my favorite stuffed animal because my sister once threw her down the basement stairs. She got her last name from when I was small and had misplaced her, I'd go searching for her calling "bushy bushy". There's been at least 4 incarnations of Maria, since every time something happened to her, (like a dog ripping her head off) she'd go to the "Maria Hospital" and come back looking brand new.

Submitted by Frances Zitano | 5/22/07

Teddy

When I was born my grandmother bought Teddy for me with green stamps. My mother embroidered on a new mouth after his tongue fell off, sewed up his ear after a dog chewed it, made the little coat to keep him warm after I loved all of his fur off, and sewed him back together more times than I can remember. His forlorn, disapproving stare makes me laugh every time.

Submitted by jill | 5/22/07

Christmas Doll

My grandmother had this doll and used to dress it up in crepe paper for Christmas – she was only brought out at Christmas time and stood on the piano. The first time I saw her (age 4) I cried – I think the eyes frightened me. I came to love her and I inherited her after my grandmother died. She has pride of place amongst other childhood treasures – she must be at least 70 or more years old.

Submitted by Anita Brown | 5/22/07

END OF WEEK 3 OF CONTEST

Nosy

About 50 years ago when I first saw Nosy (with his big black nose) in the window of a local store I knew he was for me. He was a childhood friend and attended college with me, graduating in 1970. His thirst for knowledge wasn?t quenched so 22 years later he continued on with my daughter. He's been spending time with my granddaughter, but recently came home to spend his golden years with me.

Submitted by Audrey Cardillo | 5/21/07

Benny

This is Benny the Bun. I can still remember seeing him on the top shelf
at the toy store all velvety gray with perky ears that stood up so tall and pink inside. I fell in love with him at age 4 and he never left my side. I carried him by the ears, he joined me for bathtime. He's been to Europe and many different states.

Submitted by Stacy Gray | 5/21/07

Blanket

This is a close up of my blanket. Just blanket... no name but my husband calls it "stinky blanket" because of it's long unwashed state. (I think it smells just wonderful). I've had it my entire life - nearly 30 years - and I sleep on it every night like a pillow. You can see the corners where I've rubbed the yarn down and made little lint balls with my thumb. It's quite holey now and carefully folded and housed in a threadbare baby pillowcase that seems to disintegrate a little more and more each year.

Submitted by MH | 5/21/07

The Danks

These are my beloved Danks, known also as Frank E. Dank and his wife, Pinky. I don't remember life before their presence. One morning, before Kindergarten, I put each dank at opposite ends of the bed, thinking they needed "some space." It was a day full of guilt and worry, and I vowed never to put them through that again. The wedding was a grand affair, attended by stuffed animals and some exasperated human playmates. The Danks no longer travel with me, as, in 2001, they decided to take a much belated honeymoon and were lost on the BART between Oakland and SF for three weeks. Three sleepless weeks. At age 32, I still sleep with them every night, despite the usual warnings from Mom that noone would ever share a bed with the likes of "those raggy things." (wait... I am single... hmm.)

Submitted by djfeline | 5/21/07

Boo-Boo

Please meet Boo-Boo. He's over 38 years old and has always been there for me. No one knows where he came from. He seems to have arrived when I did and, perhaps, just slipped in during the excitement. I don't remember naming him either, but I do remember being able to put my finger through his head when I was about 5 because of holes by each ear. I assume he got the name about then. Now he safely fits and sits in the palm of my hand will always be protected from harm.

Submitted by Greg | 5/21/07

Teddy

This lovely little gem's name is Teddy. He was given to me when I was born, 21 years ago. Since then, he has developed a lazy right eye, a much snuggled nose and a bit of a belly. Nonetheless, he's the love of my life!

Submitted by arkerlin | 5/21/07

Blue

Blue, and her sister Brownie, came to live with us in 1999; she has spent nearly every sleeping moment with Spencer, except for the extremely long two weeks that she spent "on vacation" in 2000. She arrived home in the trunk of the Little Tykes car in the backyard after a ten day adventure she has refused to discuss with anyone else. We've not let her vacation alone since.

Submitted by Lorie Marsh | 5/21/07

Jelly

This is Jelly. He just turned 26 years old, and he has been with me since I was born. He has survived many adventures, including being lost for a year at a time. I don't remember why I named him Jelly!!

Submitted by R Cimino | 5/21/07

Pancakes

This is Pancakes and he's the only stuffed animal I've loved for all 22 years of my life. He has survived being thrown up the top of the roof of my house, numerous surgeries on his neck, and being squished repeatedly by my older brother, (hence the name). He used to be called Cat-Bear because I loved cats but he looked like a bear. He's been to Asia, Europe, and North America with me.

Submitted by Nicola Fung | 5/21/07

Ted

I have had Ted for 33yrs. I got him when I was 3yrs old. A neighbor boy gave him to me when I was ill. Ted has been there for me my whole life. I moved around a lot when I was little, but Ted always managed to stick with me. Most of his fur has been worn off and he has been repaired several times. My dad use to tease me by torturing poor Ted all the time. He may be worn, but he will always be my favorite bear!

Submitted by Carrie Davis | 5/20/07

Boom Boom

Boom Boom is 93 years old, and he was the childhood toy of my 95-year-old grandfather. Boom Boom had an incredible (imaginary) life as a renowned circus clown. He is wearing the last of many different outfits that my great grandmother made for him. My grandfather gave him to my mother when she was born, and he was also her favorite childhood toy. His face has been redrawn because it disappeared years ago. He also entertained my three sisters and me throughout our childhoods.

Submitted by Claudine Randazzo | 5/20/07

Le Mutt

This is My Le Mutt. So it said on his tag (no longer legible) when I received him over 25 years ago, and so I called him, I think because his French name sounded so exotic to my young ears. His eyes were chewed off by my sister's puppy, and I lovingly picked out new button eyes from my great-grandmother's button box to replace them (one has since been lost). His ears were painstakingly reattached by my with pink thread when I was about nine. I slept with My Le Mutt every night until I was 21, when I got a new puppy and decided to keep My Le Mutt on a high shelf where the puppy couldn't get at him.

Submitted by Jen Iapalucci | 5/20/07

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