In the Mailbox Bear wins “Fab Five” honors

Remember the In the Mailbox Bear — the ready-to-ship Hershey’s toy that cus­tomers could purchase and mail right away from a Post Office retail counter?

Turns out the cuddly carnivore was a big hit in the toy industry. Toy Wishes magazine selected it as one of its 2007 “Fab Five” toys that don’t require batteries or outside power sources. The magazine said the product was “a great way to send a friend to anyone who needs an extra special hug.”

The bear was in good company. Rounding out the “Fab Five” award winners were the Care Bears 25th Anniversary Bear, The Cat In the Hat — I Can Do That! game, Crayola’s TaDoodles and the Knotwud building set.

Customers may soon have another chance to get their paws on the toy. New shipments of the USPS-licensed In the Mailbox Bear should begin appearing on retailers’ shelves in 2008.