Fun Fridays - Lil Woodiez vs Calico Critters {Koalaity Review}

This Tuesday, I got a very special package. Something I've been wanting for forever.

The Outback Koala Family from Calico Critters! I got it used, because it was a much better deal than the brand new prices... I not only got the normal Outback Koala family (mom, dad, baby boy and toddler/child girl), but an extra koala family member and a... bunny? In my own personal lore, the bunny got adopted by the Outback Koala family. Guess how much I paid?

Only $21.50, including shipping! Thank you Ebay! I've been looking for this for quite a while. I remember seeing the Calico Critters in a catalog when I was a kid (about the same time that I got Samantha) and finding them so cute. Since I have a love of koalaity products (hehe, blog name drop), I picked the koala family for my collecting. Usually it is (as of right now) $16.99 - $19.99 (not including shipping) to get only the base family.

I've been trying to buy these Calico Critters for a while. On Black Friday, my mom and I went to Target, and since I heard that they had Calico Critters on sale, I searched for them. I couldn't find Calico Critters and I got the Li'l Woodzeez instead because they were what I could find. It's an 100% PROVEN fact - put a koala on something, and I WILL buy it. Ask my collection. I even got koala cereal because it had a koala face on it.

They're made by Battat Toys, who also make Our Generation for Target. While not an outright bootleg (having near-identical packaging and logos), it was only about $11. It also came with a little book! (Their in-lore story is that they are the the Toowoomba Acting troupe who takes a vacation to the franchise's setting of Honeysuckle Hollow).

While Li'l Woodzeez has been around for... I don't know how long... and Calico Critters began life in the 1980s as Sylvanian Families, later renamed to Calico Critters. So it will not be fair to criticize Li'l Woodiez's lack of variety in family/accesory choices.

If you're caught between a Calico Critters and a Li'l Woodziez place, you only need to ask a single question - who will be using this the most? 

If you, a teen or adult collector is your answer, go with Calico Critters. They have more detail, smaller parts (I get scared of losing the little Calico Critters' koala baby) and a long history plus a very nice collector community (thank you, Calico Critters and Friends Buy/Sell/Trade/Chat for helping me idenitfy the little rabbit as Elizabeth Periwinkle Rabbit!). Some people even make little outfits just for Calico Critters. They also have more articulation for posing, perfect for posing them in the little slice of life situations!

If your child who intends to play with the figures (hopefully a lot), then go with Li'l Woodziez. They are a larger size, a lower price point, and each family set comes with a cute little illustrated story book! (Calico Critters used to come with little 'play-ideas' book, but those ceased production). There are a variety of play sets available and it is obvious this line was made with children in mind!

For the 'gory' details of the intense battle, scroll down! I will be using the dads of each family.

The first battle begins with clothing detail battle! Woodzeez has one piece outifts, while Calico Critters have two pieces. Winner? Calico Critters.

Thankfully they have put their clothes back on for the battle of 'how far can I put my arms up'. Winner? Calico Critters. Poor Li'l Woodzeez dad cannot reach all the way to his cheeks. 

Now for the goriest battle ever - 'how far can my legs go'. L'il Woodzeez dad tries and tries, yet he cannot do it! His legs only go a little outwards while Calico Critters' dad can go into full spilt mode! Winner? Calico Critters.

Now for the high anticipated head-turning contest! .... Um, I think Li'l Woodzeez dad has a demon in him or something. I don't think that's natural to do a 360 degree turn with your head. Winner? Li'l Woodzeez!

Li'l Woodzeez: Close up of face - small eyes, big nose (made of plastic with no flocking)

Calico Critters: Close up of face - Bigger eyes, more pear-shaped nose (more realisitc with flocking). 

I love both of my koalaity families a lot. They are both adorable. In my lore, the Calico Critters family and the Li'l Woodzeez family are cousins.

Top to bottom, left to right: Father Bruce (Calico Critters), Father Sydney (Li'l Woodzeez), Mother Shelia (Calico Critters), Mother Mel (Li'l Woodzeez), Sister Elizabeth Periwinkle Rabbit (Calico Critters), Sister Adelaide (Calico Critters), ? (I'll make him some clothes and name him something cute later on, I'm sure - Calico Critters), Sister Tessa (Li'l Woodzeez), Baby Joey (Calico Critters) and Baby Teddy (Li'l Woodzeez).

This collection will lead to wonderful things!! I am in the midst of DIYing for these families and I can't wait to share the results with you! :)