I am looking for a toy made by the Takara Co., Ltd.  The toy is
actually made in China.  It looks like an egg (about the same size)
and can be used for a keychain. When the egg is opened, there are
moving plastic characters
inside.  It is not battery operating but spring loaded.  I have one
that is white with cow print on the outside. Inside, the cows move and
eat the grass.  I have seen them with chicks. Where can I find this
toy?

Hi mariak-ga,

It appears that you are thinking of Pocket Critters.  The web site of
Takara USA Corp. has images of the various Pocket Critters at:

"Pocket Critters"
Takara USA Corp.
http://www.takara-usa.com/TakaraHome.storefront/3d277bb40d1ce628273f26dcf06e06c5/Catalog/1006

(You can also go to the home page at http://www.takara-usa.com , click
"Product Line", and select "Pocket Critters".)

There do not appear to be any toy sellers on the Internet that
currently offer Pocket Critters, at least through an English-language
web site.

Takara USA appears to sell only to other businesses, and requires a
minimum purchase of $100.

"Membership Registration Form: Terms and Conditions"
Takara USA Corp.  
http://www.takara-usa.com/TakaraHome.storefront/3d277bb40d1ce628273f26dcf06e06c5/Customer/New

But Takara USA does provide a list of its US regional sales
representatives, as well as its national phone number:

"Contact Us"
Takara USA Corp.
http://www.takara-usa.com/TakaraHome.storefront/3d277bb40d1ce628273f26dcf06e06c5/Product/View/9999
If you live in the US, you can try to contact the number for a sales
representative in your area.  I don't think that they sell to
consumers directly, but I would bet that at least one of them would
tell you who does.

If you would like me to call these representatives, please let me
know.  I've already tried to call several, but it's the weekend and
they are  closed.

- justaskscott-ga


Search terms used on Google:

takara
takara toys
"pocket critters"

---

Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 06 Jul 2002 15:15 PDT

Just a small correction: I didn't just search on Google, but on about
a dozen search engines, in order to determine whether there are any
stores that currently sell Pocket Critters on English-language web
sites.  As I indicated, it seems that none do, but the sales
representatives should know of a brick-and-mortar store that does.

I have been looking for this toy for months.  The one I have only
works part of the time.  I work with children and these toys are a
great distractor.  This answer is perfect.