A photo of Pete the cat

Pete's Toy Box: Dragon Tales

Dungeons & Dragons Tales from The Yawning Portal

By: Dungeons & Dragons

Pete's Expert Summary

My human has acquired another heavy, rectangular object, this one from a group calling themselves "Dungeons & Dragons." It is a book, a thick tome they call 'Tales from The Yawning Portal'—a concept I can appreciate, as yawning is a crucial component of any successful day. The humans claim it contains seven "dungeons," which sound disappointingly unlike the warm, dusty basement I prefer. They gather around it, making loud, theatrical noises and rolling those clattering little rocks. While its potential as a direct-play toy is nil (no feathers, no crinkle, zero pounce-ability), its true value lies in its function as a premium, human-distraction device. It also serves as a perfectly weighted, slightly warm napping slab, strategically placed to absorb sunbeams and demand attention. A marginal, but acceptable, addition to the household.

Key Features

  • Immerse Yourself: Explore seven iconic dungeons from D&D's rich history, including Against the Giants, Tomb of Horrors, and more
  • Fifth Edition Compatibility: Updated rules for use with the Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, and Dungeon Master's Guide
  • Variety of Adventures: Suitable for 5 players, with challenges for levels 5 to 14
  • Engaging Storytelling: D&D's signature style brings these classic adventures to life
  • Physical Book Format: A 256-page hardcover book for easy reference during gameplay

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The blue-spined monolith arrived in a stiff cardboard box, smelling of paper and distant warehouses. My human placed it on the coffee table with a heavy thud that vibrated through the floorboards and disturbed my pre-dinner nap. I circled it once, tail twitching in annoyance. It was an inert slab of processed trees. It did not squeak. It did not flutter. It simply *was*. I gave its sharp corner a perfunctory sniff, deemed it unworthy of a chin rub, and leaped onto the back of the sofa to observe its uselessness from a position of tactical superiority. That evening, the ritual began. Other humans arrived, their clumsy feet thumping on the hardwood. They gathered around the monolith, and The Leader, the one they call the "Dungeon Master," opened the tome. A hush fell, but it was a different kind of silence than my own majestic, intimidating quiet. This was a tense, expectant silence. The Leader began to speak, his voice lower than usual, describing a "crumbling fortress" and "the glint of goblin eyes." The others listened, their faces illuminated by the dim lamp, their posture betraying a focus they rarely dedicate to filling my food bowl on time. At first, it was just noise, a meaningless drone accompanying the irritating clatter of their little patterned rocks. But then, my superior senses began to piece it together. When The Leader described the "Tomb of Horrors," a palpable wave of anxiety rolled off the humans, a scent of fear and concentration I could almost taste. The frantic scratching of their pencils was the sound of scurrying prey. The sudden shout of "I cast Fireball!" was followed by a collective cheer that vibrated with the same frequency as the successful capture of the elusive red dot. I was not merely observing my staff engage in their strange, seated game; I was witnessing a hunt. The book itself remained a dead thing, a block of wood pulp and ink. Yet, it was a catalyst. It transformed my slow, predictable humans into a dynamic source of high drama. From my velvet throne, I became a silent, gray-furred god, observing their tiny, imagined struggles. Their triumphs were my amusement, their failures a satisfying punctuation to an otherwise dull evening. This 'Tales from The Yawning Portal' is not a toy for me, no. It is a stage for them, and I have the best seat in the house. For that service alone, it earns my grudging approval.

Tales of Xadia: The Dragon Prince Roleplaying Game

By: Atlas Games

Pete's Expert Summary

My human has presented me with a large, flat object covered in drawings of elves and dragons, which they call a "roleplaying game." From what I can gather, this is not a toy in the traditional sense of something I can chase or disembowel. Instead, it’s a catalyst for a bizarre human ritual involving sitting around a table for hours, making strange voices, and consulting this heavy book as if it were a sacred text. The primary appeal for a feline of my caliber would be the accessories: the small, rollable, multi-sided objects they call "dice" are perfect for batting under the heaviest furniture, and the book itself, once the initial noisy ceremony is over, promises to be a sturdy and elevated napping platform. The game itself seems a profound waste of time that could be better spent staring at a wall or demanding sustenance.

Key Features

  • Tales of Xadia: The Dragon Prince Roleplaying Game is about characters who experience love, war, family, heartbreak, and triumph in the world of the ground-breaking Netflix animated series.
  • Forge your own adventure in Xadia, the world of The Dragon Prince!
  • Will you negotiate in the political arena of the Human Kingdoms, explore a wilderness full of magical creatures, or something else?
  • Anything is possible in Tales of Xadia, the official TTRPG of The Dragon Prince.
  • Narrative-focused traits and archetypes quickly bring your characters and stories to life and make them feel like they truly belong in the world of Xadia.

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The evening began with a gathering of the tribe. My human, The Provider, and several of her associates convened around the Great Polished Plateau, a place normally reserved for sacred offerings of roasted fowl. But tonight, there was no food. Instead, The Provider placed the heavy tome, *Tales of Xadia*, in the center. I observed from my perch on the credenza, a silent, gray-furred judge in a crisp white tuxedo. They began their ritual, a strange cacophony of voices describing things I could not see. "You see a majestic Moonstrider," one of them chanted. I yawned. I had personally faced down the vacuum cleaner, a far more terrifying beast, just that morning. Their hands moved across sheets of parchment, and they would occasionally roll those delightful, shiny pebbles across the wood. One of the pebbles, a sharp-edged blue one, tumbled off the edge and skittered across the floor. A tribute, at last. I hopped down, my paws silent on the rug, and approached the offering. It was cool to the touch. I gave it a tentative pat, sending it spinning into the darkness beneath the sofa—a worthy sacrifice to the under-couch gods. My work done, I returned to my observation, my interest piqued not by their game, but by the book itself. As their droning voices wove tales of magic and political intrigue, I saw my opportunity. With the grace inherent to my species, I leaped onto the table, my landing softer than a whisper. The humans paused, looking at me. I met their gaze with one of utter indifference, then proceeded to walk directly across their "map of the Sunfire Elf camp," my tail held high. I settled myself directly onto the open pages of the book, right on a chapter titled "Creating Your Character." The pages were smooth, the binding was firm, and it absorbed the warmth of the overhead light beautifully. They were creating characters, but I *was* character. They sighed, a sound I've learned means reluctant acceptance of my superiority, and played around me. I closed my eyes, the murmur of their imagined world a dull lullaby. They could have their Xadia. I had found my throne. The book, I decided as I drifted off to sleep, was an object of supreme quality. Not for their silly game, of course, but for its true purpose: providing a distinguished gentleman like myself with a perfectly elevated and comfortable place to nap. It was, in the end, worthy.

Dreamworks Dragons, 5-Pack Dragon Catcher Set with Hiccup’s Mangler Net Launcher, Kids Toys for Boys & Girls Ages 4 and up

By: Dreamworks Dragons

Pete's Expert Summary

My human seems to have acquired a collection of miniature, colorful sky-lizards and a rather crude catapult. From my astute observation, this is a "Dreamworks Dragons" set, designed for the smaller, louder humans to reenact their fantasies of taming wild beasts—a concept I find patently absurd. The appeal, from my perspective, lies entirely in the five small plastic figures. Their size is simply perfect for being individually batted under the heaviest furniture, presenting a delightful, long-term puzzle for the biped who operates the vacuum. The net-launching device, however, seems like a potential nuisance; a flimsy web is no match for my glorious fur, and I suspect it would only serve to interrupt a perfectly good sunbeam nap.

Key Features

  • 5-Pack Dragon Catcher Set: Relive the adventure with all your favorite dragons, like Toothless, Deadly Nadder, Hideous Zippleback, Monstrous Nightmare and Gronckle, at 2-inch scale
  • Catch the Dragons: Use Hiccup's Mangler to launch nets at the dragons, just like in the story, to recreate epic scenes with these dragons
  • Let Their Imagination Soar: Engage the imagination with pretend play dragon toys to create all-new adventures with your favorite dragon
  • Collect Them All: Build your dragons collection and assemble all your other favorite heroic toys from How to Train Your Dragon
  • GIRL & BOY TOYS: Dreamworks Dragons How To Train Your Dragon action figures and plushies make great holiday or birthday gifts for kids ages 4 and up. Toys for kids and kids at heart
  • Includes: 5 Dragons, 1 Mangler, 1 Net
  • Covered by the Spin Master Care Commitment. See below for full details

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The air, previously scented with my own magnificent musk and the faint aroma of roasted chicken from my last meal, was suddenly tainted by the sharp scent of new plastic. I opened one green eye to watch my human unbox the tribute. Five garish creatures were placed in a row on the rug, a silent, pathetic pantheon of a lesser mythology. They were tiny, frozen in expressions of what the human probably interpreted as ferocity, but which I recognized as a permanent state of surprise. Then came the "Mangler," a device that looked like a piece of a larger, more interesting toy that had broken off. My human, with all the grace of a falling bookshelf, aimed the contraption and fired. A small, sad net flopped out and landed unceremoniously on the little black dragon. "Gotcha, Toothless!" the human squealed. I yawned, a flash of pink and ivory that conveyed my profound boredom. This was not a hunt. This was an insult to predators everywhere. I rose, my soft gray form a stormcloud gathering on the horizon of their little game, and decided it was time for a lesson in true cataclysm. My approach was silent, a shadow flowing over the high-pile carpet that served as their battlefield. My tail, a perfect metronome of impending doom, twitched once, twice. I lowered my head, my whiskers brushing against the spiky one—the "Deadly Nadder," I believe the box called it. With a delicate, almost surgical tap of my paw, I sent it skittering across the polished wood floor until it vanished under the television stand. A gasp from the human. I then turned my attention to the fat, lumpy one, the "Gronckle." It met a similar fate, though its journey ended with a satisfying *plonk* in the dog's water bowl. The human’s cries of "Pete, no!" were the glorious roars of the vanquished villagers in the presence of their new, furry god. Finally, I regarded the black one, still tangled in the pathetic net. I nudged it free with my nose. It was smooth, with a decent weight for its size. The others were scattered, their plastic kingdom in ruins. This one, however, had potential. I picked it up gently in my mouth, its plastic tail ticking against my canine, and carried it to my velvet bed. It would serve as a suitable trophy, a small, dark idol to remind the humans of the day the real dragon came to play. The set, I concluded, is a failure as a toy for me, but an outstanding success as a set of props for demonstrating my own mythic grandeur. It is, therefore, worthy.

Aurora® Enchanting Sparkle Tales™ Indigo Dragon™ Stuffed Animal - Magical Adventures - Endless Play - Blue 12 Inches

By: Aurora

Pete's Expert Summary

My human, in a fit of what I can only describe as whimsical poor judgment, has brought home a large, plush effigy of a mythical beast. This "Indigo Dragon" from a company named Aurora is, essentially, a glorified pillow shaped like a lizard with wings. Its primary features are its substantial size—clearly meant for wrestling—and its offensively sparkly accents. The marketing nonsense about "fairy tales" and "magic" is lost on me, but the presence of bean pellets in its construction suggests a certain heft, which might prevent it from being a total pushover in a vigorous bunny-kicking session. The main body appears to be made of a passably soft material, but my verdict hinges entirely on whether the glittering, iridescent fabric on its wings and belly is an intriguing tactical surface or a scratchy, undignified nuisance.

Key Features

  • This plush is approx. 6" x 16" x 11" in size
  • Made from the finest quality of material for lasting love
  • Write your own fairy tale with the Sparkle Tales plush collection!
  • This Dragon plush is designed to transport you to the land of magic!
  • To ensure stability and quality, this plush contains bean pellets suitable for all ages

A Tale from Pete the Cat

It arrived in a clear bag, a silent, blue behemoth looking utterly undignified in its plastic prison. Once released by the human, it was placed on the rug with a certain reverence I usually reserve for myself. My initial inspection was, of course, disdainful. The purple eyes were vacant, holding none of the calculating intelligence of a true predator. The blue fur was acceptably soft, but the wings and underbelly were a different matter entirely. They were covered in a garish, shimmering fabric that felt like a thousand tiny, dull claws against my nose. A cheap trick to dazzle simple minds. I circled it once, twice, declared it an ostentatious failure, and settled for a nap a respectable distance away. But as the afternoon sunbeam shifted, it struck the dragon's wing. A brilliant, fractured rainbow exploded across the wall and danced over the floor. My tail gave an involuntary twitch. It wasn't a bird, it wasn't a bug, but it *moved*. I crept closer, mesmerized. The light was a living thing, a silent prey born from this gaudy creature. I crouched, my body low, and pounced, not on the dragon itself, but on the kaleidoscope of light it cast. I batted and chased the spectral colors until the sun moved on and the magic vanished. Exhausted from the hunt, I collapsed beside the beast. I rested my head on its flank. It wasn't prey. It wasn't a rival. It was... a tool. A prism. A generator of ethereal game. The bean-pellet filling gave it a satisfying weight, a sturdiness that its frivolous appearance belied. It didn’t flop over when I leaned against it; it held its ground, a silent, glittering mountain. I found myself kneading its soft, non-sparkly back, the rhythm a steady purr of approval. My final verdict came as I curled up fully against its side, tucking my head beneath one of the great, sparkly wings. The texture I had once scorned now felt cool and strangely comforting against my fur. This was no mere toy for mindless batting. It was an interactive art installation, a partner in the high-stakes game of chasing light. It had proven its worth not through combat, but through a far more sophisticated measure: its ability to create a truly excellent napping spot after a challenging, abstract hunt. It could stay.

Dreamworks Dragons, How to Train Your Dragon, Toothless & Hiccup, Viking Duo Action Figures, Kids Toys for Boys Ages 4 and up

By: Dreamworks Dragons

Pete's Expert Summary

So, my human has presented me with this... artifact. It appears to be a large, black plastic lizard accompanied by a diminutive plastic human. They call it "Toothless & Hiccup." Frankly, the branding from "Dreamworks Dragons" suggests this is intended for small, noisy humans, not for a connoisseur of fine napping surfaces and premium-grade tuna. The claims of "real feel dragon wings" are immediately suspect; I can tell from here they lack the delicate, chewable texture of a proper feather wand. While the larger dragon's size might make it a satisfying object to shove off the mantelpiece, its static nature is uninspiring. The true potential, if any exists, lies with the smaller "Hiccup" figure. Its size is perfect for being mysteriously "lost" in the dark dimension beneath the sofa, an activity I find endlessly stimulating.

Key Features

  • Dragon & Viking Rider: Create thrilling How To Train Your Dragon adventures with a 3-inch Hiccup action figure and 13-inch Toothless dragon toy, with real feel dragon wings and movable limbs
  • Genuine Movie Styling: Attach Hiccup to Toothless using the saddle pegs, before flying off on a thrilling mission
  • Let Their Imagination Soar: Engage the imagination with pretend play dragon toys to create all-new adventures with your favorite dragon
  • Collect Them All: Build your dragons collection and assemble all your other favorite heroic Dragon & Viking duos from How to Train Your Dragon
  • GIRL & BOY TOYS: Dreamworks Dragons How To Train Your Dragon action figures and plushies make great holiday or birthday gifts for kids ages 4 and up. Toys for kids and kids at heart
  • Includes: 1 Dragon, 1 Viking
  • Covered by the Spin Master Care Commitment. See below for full details

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The offering was placed on the oriental rug, a vulgar plastic intrusion on a landscape of woven perfection. My human made some cooing noises, gesturing toward it as if it were a freshly grilled salmon. I, of course, responded with the only appropriate action: turning my back completely and commencing a detailed grooming of my left shoulder. The message was clear: your trinkets do not impress me. I held this pose for a solid ten minutes, listening to the human sigh and depart the room. Only then, under the silent, watchful gaze of the grandfather clock, did I permit myself to investigate. I approached with practiced stealth, my tuxedo markings a blur against the dim light. The large black dragon was even more pathetic up close. Its limbs were jointed, yes, but held a stiff, unnatural pose. I gave one of its "real feel" wings a tentative pat. It felt like a milk jug. A profound disappointment. The tiny human, however, was pegged into a saddle on its back, a helpless prisoner. A narrative began to form in my magnificent brain. Here was not a toy, but a diorama of injustice. A damsel—or whatever this peg-legged boy was—in distress. My mission was clear. This was a rescue operation. I leaped gracefully onto the dragon's back, my weight causing it to tip precariously. Ignoring the indignity of the plastic beast, I focused on the captive. He was wedged in there quite securely. It required the delicate application of my incisors, a gentle tugging, a careful extraction that lesser cats could never manage. The small human came free with a faint click. I held my prize, the taste of cheap plastic a minor inconvenience in the face of my heroism. The large, black dragon lay on its side, defeated. With the tiny Viking in my mouth, I trotted to the kitchen. The grand finale. I dropped him directly into my water bowl, where he floated for a moment before sinking. A baptism? A burial at sea? I leave the interpretation to the art critics. The performance was complete. My verdict: the large dragon is useless, a mere stage prop. The small, detachable human, however, offers significant potential for dramatic scenarios and causing minor, confusing messes for my staff to discover later. It has, against all odds, earned a temporary stay of execution.

Dreamworks Dragons, How to Train Your Dragon, Deadly Nadder & Astrid, Viking Duo Action Figures, Kids Toys for Boys Ages 4 and up

By: Dreamworks Dragons

Pete's Expert Summary

My human, in a fit of what I can only assume is nostalgia for their own kittenhood, has procured a pair of plastic effigies. It appears to be a large, spiky blue creature—a poor imitation of a bird, perhaps—and a small bipedal accomplice with questionable blonde hair. The marketing babble calls them "Dreamworks Dragons" and boasts of "movable limbs" and "real feel wings." For me, this translates to multiple articulated points for strategic disassembly and a textured surface to test my teeth against. The smaller figure is likely to be batted under the nearest piece of heavy furniture within minutes, but the larger beast, the "Deadly Nadder," might present a mild, fleeting challenge before it too succumbs to gravity and joins the dust bunnies in the Under-the-Sofa Realm. It seems a frivolous use of plastic, but I suppose it could serve as a temporary distraction between naps.

Key Features

  • Dragon & Viking Rider: Create thrilling How To Train Your Dragon adventures with a 3-inch Astrid action figure and 10-inch Deadly Nadder dragon toy, with real feel dragon wings and movable limbs
  • Genuine Movie Styling: Attach Astrid to Deadly Nadder using the saddle pegs, before flying off on a thrilling mission
  • Let Their Imagination Soar: Engage the imagination with pretend play dragon toys to create all-new adventures with your favorite dragon
  • Collect Them All: Build your dragons collection and assemble all your other favorite heroic Dragon & Viking duos from How to Train Your Dragon
  • GIRL & BOY TOYS: Dreamworks Dragons How To Train Your Dragon action figures and plushies make great holiday or birthday gifts for kids ages 4 and up. Toys for kids and kids at heart
  • Includes: 1 Dragon, 1 Viking
  • Covered by the Spin Master Care Commitment. See below for full details

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The operation began at 14:00 hours. The target package was deposited by the Handler (my human) directly in the center of my primary surveillance zone—the living room rug. I observed from my command post on the armchair, my tail twitching as I processed the intelligence. The assets were a duo: a small, fixed-stare operative I designated "Blondie," and her oversized, blue reptilian transport, codenamed "Spike." Their mission was clearly infiltration, but their methods were clumsy, their plastic sheen a dead giveaway against the soft fibers of my territory. I descended with the silent grace befitting a field agent of my caliber, initiating a slow, circular patrol around the subjects. Blondie was the weak link. A single, gentle nudge from my nose sent her toppling over with a pathetic, hollow clack. She offered no resistance, her painted-on defiance a laughable facade. Clearly, she was merely a decoy. I dismissed her with a flick of my paw, sending her skittering toward the dark abyss beneath the television stand. One down. My full attention then turned to Spike. This was the real threat. It was large, imposing, and its "real feel wings" were a tactical variable I had to account for. I initiated contact with a tentative paw, testing the texture. It was a rubbery, slightly yielding material—a decent forgery, I’ll admit, but it lacked the authentic warmth of true prey. I began a structural analysis, batting at a leg joint. It moved. Interesting. A weakness. I prodded its garish yellow snout, then delivered a swift, decisive strike to its flank. The entire apparatus clattered onto its side, wings splayed in surrender. The engagement was over. The intruders had been neutralized. They were crude, silent, and posed no genuine threat to my authority. However, they were not without their uses. The transport, Spike, had a particularly satisfying heft when pushed off the edge of the coffee table, and its tail made for an adequate chew toy when I felt the need to exercise my jaw. My final verdict: while they are unworthy of being called adversaries, they will serve as acceptable training dummies. For now, they can stay. Under close supervision, of course.

YOTO Dragon Tales by Kenneth Graham & Edith Nesbit – Kids Audio Card for Use with Player & Mini All-in-1 Audio Device, Screen-Free Listening with Fun Playtime Bedtime & Travel Stories, Ages 5+

By: YOTO

Pete's Expert Summary

My human, whom I permit to cohabitate with me, has presented a new object for my consideration. It is a small, rigid rectangle of plastic, utterly devoid of any redeeming qualities. It does not crinkle, it does not flutter, and it smells faintly of a warehouse, not of catnip or prey. The packaging claims it is a vessel for "Dragon Tales," a concept I find preposterous unless these dragons are chasing laser dots. Apparently, this inert wafer must be inserted into a separate, larger, glowing box to produce sounds. While the potential for new and interesting noises to interrupt my slumber is high, the object itself is a profound failure as a toy. Its only conceivable use is to be skillfully batted under the heaviest piece of furniture in the house, a task for which I have neither the time nor the inclination.

Key Features

  • 4 DELIGHTFUL DRAGON TALES: Stories include The Reluctant Dragon, The Island of the Nine Whirlpools, The Fiery Dragon & The Last Dragon. Presented with lively music.
  • IN THE BOX: Single audiobook card; Author: Kenneth Grahame; Edith Nesbit; Read by: Bertie Carvel & Emma Gregory; Language: English; Accent: UK; Running Time: 2 h 17 min; Ages 5+
  • EASY TO SET UP & USE: Simply pop an audiobook card into the Player or Mini (sold separately) to play & remove to stop. Use the dials to adjust the volume & tracks. Alternatively, control the device via the free App!
  • KID-FRIENDLY WITH PARENTAL CONTROL: Enjoy hours of screen-free entertainment with the Player & Mini. All content is safe & has been specially chosen & created with children in mind. No cameras. No mics. No ads.
  • CONTENT THAT GROWS WITH KIDS' MINDS: Explore 1000+ Yoto cards of bestselling novels, music, fun activities, free podcasts, radio, soundscapes, useful timers or even create content with a Make Your Own card!

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The offering was, to put it mildly, an affront. A plastic card. The Provider placed it on the floor before me with an expectant look, as if this flimsy chit could possibly compare to the majesty of a peacock feather or the frantic dance of a cornered moth. I gave it a perfunctory sniff, my whiskers twitching in disdain. It had no life, no spirit. I extended a single, perfect claw and gave it a lazy shove. It skittered across the hardwood with a pathetic, whispery sound and came to rest by the leg of the sofa. A failure. I turned my back on it, tail held high, and leaped onto my favorite armchair to begin the important work of grooming my immaculate tuxedo bib. Later that evening, the small human—the one with the sticky fingers and the startlingly loud laugh—retrieved the plastic insult. They approached a glowing cube I had long ago dismissed as an uninteresting lamp. With a reverent little 'click,' the card was inserted. I watched from my perch, one eye cracked open, anticipating some shrill, irritating noise. Instead, a voice filled the room. It was a smooth, deep voice, the kind of voice that rumbles in the chest in a satisfying way, not unlike my own purr. It spoke of a dragon. My ear, a finely tuned instrument of detection, swiveled towards the sound. This was not the usual babble from the large, flashing screen on the wall. This was different. The voice painted a picture of a creature of great size and power, one who was—and this was the fascinating part—reluctant. He preferred poetry and quiet contemplation to the brutish business of fighting. A kindred spirit! I, too, reject the uncivilized demands of the world in favor of aesthetic pleasures and strategic napping. The story unfolded, punctuated by music that swooped and soared, and I found myself mesmerized. I did not move from my chair, of course. That would be admitting interest. But I closed my eyes and let the sounds wash over me. I was no longer in the living room; I was in a sun-dappled cave, listening to the gentle verse of a fellow connoisseur of comfort. The plastic card was, and remains, a useless piece of junk. But the magic it unlocks within that glowing box... that is another matter entirely. It is a portal, a weaver of dreams for the discerning listener. I have decided it may stay, on the condition that its tales are always of such a civilized and relatable nature.

Dreamworks Dragons How to Train Your Dragon, Hug and Glide Toothless Plush Toy, 12” Dragon Stuffed Animal, Kids Toys for Boys Ages 4 and Up

By: Dreamworks Dragons

Pete's Expert Summary

So, the humans have brought another trinket into my kingdom. This one appears to be a black, winged effigy of some mythical beast, clearly intended for the loud, small human. They call it a "Hug and Glide Toothless." The "gliding" feature, which sounds suspiciously like a slingshot mechanism, promises to be a noisy and undignified affair, likely to disrupt my sunbeam-napping schedule. While the "velvety-soft wings" might hold some potential for a cursory inspection, the primary function seems to be flinging it across the room. The "hugging" action is a curious gimmick, but ultimately, it's a child's projectile. A sophisticated feline such as myself requires stimulating prey, not a plushy missile. It will likely end up as another obstacle to navigate on my way to the food bowl.

Key Features

  • Toothless Plush: This adorable 12” dragon plush features black material with shiny scales, bright green embroidered eyes, and velvety-soft wings that curl inward to give a snug arm hug
  • Flying Action: Have high-flying pretend play adventures with Toothless With two fingers secured under his front claws, simply pull the dragon stuffed animal back and release for him to soar through the sky
  • Hugging Wings: Toothless likes to cuddle too After an epic glide, this dragon toy’s large, outstretched plush wings snap and curl inward to hug your arm back for fun sensory play
  • Build Your Dragons World: Explore the collection of How to Train Your Dragon toys for more fun ways to play, including plushies, blind box toys, action figures, playsets and more for HTTYD fans
  • Girl & Boy Toys: Dreamworks Dragons How to Train Your Dragon toys for kids, action figures, and plushies make fun holiday or birthday gifts for ages 4 and up. Surface washable; spot-clean only
  • Includes: 1 How to Train Your Dragon Hug & Glide 12” Toothless Plush, Poly Bag
  • Covered by the Spin Master Care Commitment. See below for full details

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The intrusion began, as they often do, with the rustle of a plastic bag. The Provider presented a dark, winged creature to the small human, whose shrieks confirmed my worst fears: another piece of garish clutter had breached our defenses. I watched from the high ground of the armchair, my tail twitching in silent judgment. The creature was all black, with unsettlingly bright green eyes that stared into nothingness. Its scales had a cheap, shiny quality that offended my aesthetic sensibilities. This was no rival; this was an absurdity. The small human, however, was enthralled. It hooked its clumsy fingers under the creature’s front limbs, stretched it back like some primitive catapult, and let it fly. The thing sailed through the air—my air!—in a wobbly, silent arc before thudding against the far wall. An airborne menace. An unguided, plush-covered weapon of mass distraction. This, they called "play." I called it a profound waste of kinetic energy. For several minutes, this launch-and-retrieve cycle repeated, a pointless ritual of chaos that I endured with the stoicism of a saint. Eventually, the novelty wore off, and the creature was unceremoniously dropped onto the rug near my position. I descended from my perch to investigate the fallen combatant. As I cautiously extended a paw to prod its wing, the appendage suddenly snapped inward with a soft *thwack*, curling into a hugging shape. A trap! A self-actuating snare! I leaped back, fur on end, expecting it to lash out. But it remained still. It was a reflex, not an attack. A pathetic, pre-programmed gesture of affection. How droll. After a thorough risk assessment, I determined the threat level was minimal. The flying was an unforgivable disruption, but the stationary object... it had possibilities. I circled it once more, then settled beside it, pointedly turning my back on the creature. As an experiment, I rested my head upon one of its velvety wings. It was surprisingly plush. Not as exquisite as my own coat, naturally, but serviceable. This "Toothless" was a failure as a toy, a disaster as an aerial acrobat, but as a slightly-lumpy, oddly-shaped pillow? I suppose it could be tolerated. It would serve as a reminder to all other household objects of my supreme authority: even their invaders ultimately bend to my will, and to my comfort.

Dreamworks Dragons, World of Berk: Book of Dragons Multi-Pack, 3 Collectible Dragons & Cards with Display Stands for Ages 4 and up

By: Dreamworks Dragons

Pete's Expert Summary

My human seems to have acquired a piece of folded cardboard masquerading as a "book," which contains three small, rigid plastic effigies of some sort of winged lizard. They are called "dragons," and apparently, the smaller humans are meant to stare at them and "imagine" things. From my perspective, they lack any fundamental toy-like qualities: no feathers, no crinkle, no erratic electronic movement, and most damningly, no catnip. Their only potential saving grace is their small, lightweight nature, which might make them suitable for batting off the edge of a high surface, a pastime of considerable merit. Otherwise, it appears to be an exercise in collecting dust, a task I prefer to leave to the robotic vacuum.

Key Features

  • Book of Dragons: Open and display the excitement of the World of Berk with 2-inch collectible dragon figurines and collector’s cards, detailing their unique character attributes
  • 3 Dragons: Assemble then showcase your favorite dragons, like Toothless, Gronckle, and Deadly Nadder; with authentic movie styling
  • Let Their Imagination Soar: Engage the imagination with pretend play dragon toys to create all-new adventures with your favorite dragon
  • Collect Them All: Build your dragons collection and assemble all your other favorite heroic Dragon & Viking duos from How to Train Your Dragon
  • GIRL & BOY TOYS: DreamWorks Dragons How To Train Your Dragon action figures and plushies make great holiday or birthday gifts for kids ages 4 and up. Toys for kids and kids at heart
  • Includes: 3 Dragons, 3 Cards, 1 Display Book
  • Covered by the Spin Master Care Commitment. See below for full details

A Tale from Pete the Cat

The human presented the so-called "Book of Dragons" with the kind of hopeful reverence she usually reserves for a fresh tin of tuna. I gave it a cursory sniff. It smelled of cardboard and distant factories, a scent profile that has never once preceded a satisfying experience. She opened it, and there they were: three miniature statues, frozen in poses of what I can only assume was supposed to be ferocity, but came across as merely inconvenient. They stared out from their plastic prisons with a lifeless gleam. One was black and vaguely cat-like, if a cat were tragically born with scales and wings instead of a magnificent, soft gray tuxedo coat. An imposter. I stepped closer, my tail giving a slow, judgmental twitch. My human placed the three figures on the hardwood floor, arranging them as if they were esteemed guests. I lowered my head, my whiskers brushing against the spiky one, the "Deadly Nadder." It was cold, hard, and utterly unresponsive. I nudged the lumpy, green one—the "Gronckle"—with my nose. It simply tipped over with a dull plastic clink. Were they broken? Or was this their entire performance? To simply exist, taking up valuable floor space? It was an insult to the very concept of "play." My patience, a notoriously finite resource, evaporated. I watched the black one, the pretender "Toothless," who seemed to mock my own sleek form with its inert stillness. This would not stand. I crouched, my muscles coiling. A brief moment of calculation, a flick of my tail for balance, and then my paw shot out. Not a gentle pat, but a firm, decisive swat meant to provoke a reaction. And a reaction I got, though not the one a mouse or a feather wand would provide. The plastic dragon didn't flee or fight back; it *sailed*. It became a glossy black blur, skidding across the polished floor with breathtaking speed before banking perfectly off the baseboard and sliding to a halt under the armchair. My eyes widened. The other two quickly met a similar fate, each one proving to be a superb projectile. My human sighed my name in that familiar, long-suffering tone, but I barely heard her. These weren't toys. They were not dragons. They were the finest set of indoor hockey pucks a cat could ever ask for. A flawed product, perhaps, but I had discovered its true, glorious purpose.