Hello again! Today I am writing a review on the “Meerkat Family” and “Grey Cat Baby” figures. I was sent these figures to review by Epoch, Sylvanian Families’ creator and producer, as one of their “Friends of Sylvanian Families”. Please note that although this item was sent for me to review, all opinions given about the product are my own and not official, nor first checked by Epoch.
Firstly I shall look at the Meerkat Family. Those who have been collecting Sylvanian Families for a while will know that the adorable Meerkat Family was first released a few years ago by the old distributor Flair with the gripping hands feature that was around for a long time in various countries. The family, known as the Spotters, were made up of a family of four, grandparents and baby triplets! Epoch re-released this family with flat hands after repackaging a lot of gripping-handed Meerkats. The triplets were not available in this version, although the grandparents were. The family gained flat hands not too long before being discontinued, whilst the grandparents remained with the gripping hands until their retirement earlier in 2016 (if you are lucky enough you might still be able to find the lovely Spotter family in stores, but be aware they are a retired family).
When I received this family I was very taken by the fact the clothing had changed slightly since the original release. I collect variants where possible so this made me very happy as I already have the Flair version!
The figures’ tails are poking out of the back of the packaging, which prevents them being squished. The figures are held in place with clear elastic which you must be cut to get the figures out without damaging them. This is a good thing however as the figures are so secure they do not move around in the box.
I took comparison photos of the Flair and Epoch family next to each other so that the difference in details can be seen between the figures.
The Epoch family is slightly taller than the Flair family, plus they have darker, more prominent markings. The tails of the Epoch figures are also a bit longer and fluffier than the Flair ones. The sisters are essentially the same, the only difference being the brightness of the dyes on the dress of the Epoch figure. The same applies to the mothers and the fathers, although I think the collar on the Epoch mother’s dress is a slightly different shape and the Epoch father’s buttons are in a slightly different position. I really like these Meerkats and they were very happy to see their Flair counterparts! Next I opened the Grey Cat Baby, which I got as a Halloween gift, otherwise known as Liberty Harvey. The figure and accessories are held in place by a protective plastic mould, preventing damage to the figure. She comes with a bottle and a yellow cot that can rock back and forth. |
I compared the Epoch Grey Cat Baby with the Flair Liberty Harvey Grey Cat Baby. The two are the same height and same fur colour. The markings on the side of the face are a bit more prominent on the Epoch figure; however the biggest difference is the clothing. The new Epoch babies have a floral fringing around the neck of the clothing, whilst the Flair figure has a zigzag fringing.
I love all of my new figures and they shall be cherished in my collection! If you would like to buy these figures, go visit the Sylvanian Families Shop’s website!
I would like to also take this chance to thank the Highlights PR team (especially Nicole and Torie), as well as Epoch Making Toys Ltd., for helping me with many queries in the past months. The figures for reviews and blogging help has been a wonderful treat, as well as helping me feel more involved in the Sylvanian Families community. I would like to thank many people in the community for helping to make my collection grow and expand my knowledge. Hayley, Benjamin, Candy, Santie, Jacc, & Dian have been a great help to me this year for different reasons, so thank you all, as well as the staff at SSK, especially Rocky who goes above and beyond to answer my queries. Additionally I'd like to thank a few friends I have made in the last few months, who wish to be referred to by their usernames Sylvanian Memories, Sylvanian Time & Sylvanian Friends, for wishing me on when my website has fallen behind schedule. Thanks to Sylvanako for encouraging my work (which I appreciate from someone who has such an artistic talent!!) in addition to everyone previously mentioned, Courtney, Jonathan, Christina and various Instagram users for allowing me to use some of their photos on my website once it is up and running. I may not speak to everyone in the community or always have the time to talk with everyone as much as I'd like to (personally and about Sylvanians!) but you all have kept me a little bit more positive whilst being kept behind a year in school and watching my friends move on to other things. It may not always be clear, but you are all lovely friends who I hope realise how much I appreciate your company. :)
I would like to also take this chance to thank the Highlights PR team (especially Nicole and Torie), as well as Epoch Making Toys Ltd., for helping me with many queries in the past months. The figures for reviews and blogging help has been a wonderful treat, as well as helping me feel more involved in the Sylvanian Families community. I would like to thank many people in the community for helping to make my collection grow and expand my knowledge. Hayley, Benjamin, Candy, Santie, Jacc, & Dian have been a great help to me this year for different reasons, so thank you all, as well as the staff at SSK, especially Rocky who goes above and beyond to answer my queries. Additionally I'd like to thank a few friends I have made in the last few months, who wish to be referred to by their usernames Sylvanian Memories, Sylvanian Time & Sylvanian Friends, for wishing me on when my website has fallen behind schedule. Thanks to Sylvanako for encouraging my work (which I appreciate from someone who has such an artistic talent!!) in addition to everyone previously mentioned, Courtney, Jonathan, Christina and various Instagram users for allowing me to use some of their photos on my website once it is up and running. I may not speak to everyone in the community or always have the time to talk with everyone as much as I'd like to (personally and about Sylvanians!) but you all have kept me a little bit more positive whilst being kept behind a year in school and watching my friends move on to other things. It may not always be clear, but you are all lovely friends who I hope realise how much I appreciate your company. :)