Latest news with #softtoy
BBC News
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Cardiff mum offers £500 reward to find daughter's lost cuddly toy
A mother is offering a £500 reward in the hope of reuniting her daughter with her lost soft daughter Meredith, who is autistic, lost the pink cat during a stay at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport in Dancer, which Meredith named when she was young, has been her "constant companion" since she was a baby, leaving the family desperate to find it."I hoped by now she might be moving on, but she's not – she's crying every night," Alexandra said. Alexandra, from Cardiff, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that many parents will recognise the fact children get attached to things, but those with neurodivergent children "will understand the attachment and extra meaning our children have for their toys"."It's been devastating for her," she gave Cat Dancer its name because "the legs and arms would swing when she moved it around, as if it was dancing with her"."You know what kids are like, they say what they see."She added a replacement will not do, the toy "has to be the original" for Meredith. The toy was lost during the February half term, when the family stayed at Celtic Manor, and it was not until arriving home that they realised it was missing."The trail has gone cold, we don't know if it fell out the suitcase and Meredith doesn't remember if she picked Cat Dancer up after I put it inside the bag."The mother-of-two said Celtic Manor have been "really supportive" in trying to track down the soft toy and the family has returned to the resort three times in the hope of finding said the family has a spare in case another child has found the toy and become attached to it."We are really happy to give to that child, because we don't want another child being upset either," she said.
South China Morning Post
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Carbi the rice ball gains popularity in Hong Kong
Carbi the rice ball is a soft toy that is becoming very well known in Hong Kong. His round, huggable body and mischievous expressions have made him very popular. Carbi was created by a 26-year-old illustrator named Carina Wong. She said the toy's name was a playful nod to the word 'carbohydrates'. 'Rice is a staple across Asia and my personal favourite food,' the Hongkonger explained. Each Carbi plush tells its own little story through its unique expressions. Wong said her top three favourites are the 'sleepy Carbi', the 'smiling Carbi', and the 'slightly frustrated Carbi'. Wong created the character in 2020. She also has a full-time job as a graphic designer. Wong was inspired to create Carbi by the two loves of her life: rice and her nine-year-old Pomeranian, Muffin. 'The idea behind Carbi actually came from how much happiness Muffin brings me and my family,' she said. 'These cherished memories we create together are the foundation of Carbi's being.' Cuddles beat nightmares The character was very popular at the Pop Toy Show in Singapore. It is a major annual event in Southeast Asia for pop culture toys, collectibles and merchandise. Wong recounted how a young girl approached her at the event last August with her own Carbi plushie. The girl said it helped her feel safe at night and protected her from nightmares. 'I was touched ... I used to be this girl who found comfort in my soft toy when I was scared,' she said. Wong said young people in Hong Kong face a lot of pressure. In such times, characters like Carbi can provide a unique form of support. They can act as a silent friend when they need to process their feelings privately. Carbi the confidence booster Carbi has also helped Wong open up. 'A lot of people only know me as the rice ball girl. They did not know how I looked until very recently. I used to do only faceless [Instagram] reels as I am actually quite shy,' she said. Thanks to Carbi fans, she is getting more comfortable being on camera. 'The encouragement and support from the Carbi community gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone,' she said. The illustrator is preparing for another toy show in August. She also has new ideas for expanding the Carbi universe, which currently includes Carbina, Carbi's girlfriend. 'I hope that by sharing my own journey, it encourages others to also take chances,' she said.
