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GIANTmicrobes are putting a new spin on the classic stuffed animal. Who needs a cuddly teddy bear when you can nestle up to a plush "Stomach Ache" doll? GIANTmicrobes are stuffed toys resembling common diseases. The icky toys are furry teaching tools to help kids understand what makes them feel nasty. For the more daring kid, we suggest the "calamity" line. The ailments included are still under wraps. Here's a suggestion: How about a diphtheria doll? And nothing says fun like a stuffed e coli! The toys are being sold at museum gift shops, but expect them to spread as the fall flu season approaches.
And speaking of illness . . .
Kids perhaps fans of GIANTmicrobes can dish about their personal health and relationships on Discovery Health's newly revamped teen forum. The site offers articles and advice on topics ranging from dating to eating disorders to school. Check out the bulletin board where you can post and chat with other teens. And there's a spot for parents, too. The Web site is: http://health.discovery.com/centers/teen/teen.html
These pens fight
Get into the Halloween spirit early with pugilist pumpkin pens. The line also includes a witch pen and a Frankenstein pen. These battling boxers fight and write. Press the nifty buttons in the back and your pen will throw a punch. We found these for $1.99 at Great Explorations in St. Petersburg.
X-Press Quote
"With boys, you have to stick up for yourself and be like, "Hey, buddy.' You develop a little bit of a mouth. My mom even washed it out with soap once. I said a curse word at, like 6, and I got a little Dial soap in the mouth." - tough former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Eliza Dushku tells E! Online. Her new Fox show, Tru Calling, premieres this fall.