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Chic-A-Boo, as you can clearly see, was a cute brown furry monkey toy. It’s face, hands and feet were made from plastic, and being a monkey, it had opposable thumbs which could be inserted into its mouth, which made it even cuter to look at.
The toy was originally developed in Japan in the mid to late 1970′s, but it wasn’t until the 1980′s that it became more popular in the UK. The original Japanese name for the toy was Monchhichi, but since the (intentional) double ‘H’ in the middle was a bit confusing for us Brits, the name was changed to Chic-A-Boo. Similarly, in Italy it became Mon Cicci, and in France the even simpler Kiki.
They were created by Koichi Sekiguchi as a way of teaching both children and adults to be loving and respectful, although I dare say he also realised a bit of a money spinner when he saw one. Originally the toys were sold in pairs, with one male and one female doll – quite how you told which was which I’m not sure – probably something as simple as the girl had a bow in her hair. Before long though the toys were sold individually, and a whole range of additional clothing was also launched.
The toys were incredibly popular in Japan, but perhaps less so in the rest of the world. I remember though that my sister always wanted one, and I think one day she did get an imitation one. At least, I think it was an imitation one as you could insert the thumbs and toes into both the mouth and, rather more disgustingly, the nostrils. Original Monchhichi dolls don’t have nostril holes, instead having a little brown elliptical nose instead.
I am constantly surprised my how many toys and cartoons from the eighties that were aimed primarily at little girls actually started off life as a series of Hallmark greetings cards. Â The 
In 1981 toy manufacturer Mattel released 
Apparently, there’s lots of fun for everyone in the Big Yellow Teapot, or at least so the television advert for this toy would have us believe. Â I would probably say that not everyone would find it that much fun, but certainly most toddlers would have a ball.
Here’s one from the depths of my sisters toy cupboard. Well, not exactly, as she didn’t have the real fashion wheel but an imitation version, but it was just as good – probably better since it was smaller in size so easier to play with.
The 1980′s was really the beginning of the microchip revolution, with costs for this technology rapidly dropping to an extent where it became possible for relatively cheap items such as toys to start taking advantage of the extra features the silicon chip brought with it. A good example of this was the change in the ways toys that could talk were made, with dolls and action figures appearing that had little buttons you could press to make them say phrases or make sound effects.
Emu and Rod Hull were one of those variety acts that were forever cropping up on British TV, either in their own shows (
I was reminded the other day about Poochie by my sister, who had one of these cute little cuddly toy dogs when she was a child. I’m not sure exactly what kind of breed of dog Poochie was meant to be, after all no dogs I’m aware of have pink fur, but I would guess a poodle would probably be the best match!
