Sylvanian for a new generation

Sylvanian Families were created in 1985 by Japanese company Epoch, 'Sylvan' meaning 'of the forest'. Each of the characters and families being based on woodland creatures such as Bears, Beavers, and Hedgehogs.

After 2 years of success in both Japan and the USA, the toys were released in the UK and Europe to great success, by 1988 spin-off animated TV shows we being eagerly lapped up, and numerous toy awards won. In 1993, Tomy, who had been distributing the toys worldwide, lost the rights of the name 'Sylvanian Families' in the USA and Canada, they were then renamed 'Calico Critters' in these countries.

As with all 'Craze' toys, Sylvanian Families seemed to decline quickly with the arrival of newer more exciting products, towards the end of the 1990's many countries stopped distributing the toys, and although Tomy itself stopped selling in the USA, the brand was soon snapped up again by another company. In the UK Flair PLC took over the toys, and in 2007 Sylvanian Families celebrated their 20^th Anniversary with the introduction of several new families and items. The future looks bright for the brand, with many of the original collectors now parents themselves and keen to introduce the woodland creatures to a whole new generation.