Abstract: Phonics-based devices and methods for improving reading skills. The reading improvement devices and methods may incorporate a book or other text-containing media that includes an initial activity-based phonics portion that is designed to teach a less experienced reader about an aspect of phonics. The activity is designed to promote interaction by the less experienced reader with a parent or other more experienced reader to complete the activity portion. This initial activity portion is followed by a story portion that includes text selected to emphasize the phonics skills from the activity portion. The reading of the story portion may be performed collaboratively by the readers. The more experienced reader may provide additional instruction to emphasize the teachings of the initial activity portion. The reading improvement device may include a third portion, which may contain additional instruction about the phonics skills from the activity portion.

Abstract: A toy or article containing an elastomeric and deformable bladder therein that facilitates in actuating a component of the toy or article such as a tail or an arm when squeezed or otherwise deformed is disclosed. The actuatable toy generally comprises a deformable bladder containing a fluid substance and is deformable proximate to the actuatable component upon application of pressure thereon. In addition, the actuatable toy comprises a flexible outer covering enclosing the deformable bladder, where at least a portion of the outer covering comprises a movable material disposed proximate to the actuatable component of the toy, whereupon actuating of the movable material and deformation of the bladder facilitate actuation of the actuatable component upon application of pressure on the toy.

Abstract: A toy or article containing an elastomeric and deformable bladder therein that facilitates in actuating a component of the toy or article such as a tail or an arm when squeezed or otherwise deformed is disclosed. The actuatable toy generally comprises a deformable bladder containing a fluid substance and is deformable proximate to the actuatable component upon application of pressure thereon. In addition, the actuatable toy comprises a flexible outer covering enclosing the deformable bladder, where at least a portion of the outer covering comprises a movable material disposed proximate to the actuatable component of the toy, whereupon actuating of the movable material and deformation of the bladder facilitate actuation of the actuatable component upon application of pressure on the toy.

Abstract: A plush construction set including a first plush object and a second plush object. A first connecting element is secured to the first plush object, and a second connecting element is secured to the second plush object. The first and second connecting elements are at least semi-rigid. The first and second connecting elements are configured to establish a releasable connection between the first and second plush objects. At least one of the first and second objects may have a plurality of fibrous elements that extend in a plurality of directions. The fibrous elements may be made of yarn, fur, hair, synthetic fiber resembling hair, thread, thin strips of cloth or other textiles, or the like. Decorative features resembling body features may be attached to the first or second plush objects.