Another little holiday surprise for our elefante.
El Elefante Quiere, our bilingual musical and verb learning plush, is part of Northeast Ohio Parent's Sensory-Friendly Gifts for the Holidays guide, in the November 2026 issue, both in print and online. If you're looking for a sensory-friendly baby gift that also brings Spanish into everyday play, we're so honored to be on this list.
[ADD IMAGE: Northeast Ohio Parent print page or screenshot of the online guide]
El Elefante Quiere in Northeast Ohio Parent's sensory-friendly gift guide
The guide, written by Elena Epstein of the National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA), rounds up calming, tactile and hands-on gifts for kids of every age, from weighted plush to busy boards. El Elefante Quiere is one of the picks for the littlest ones, described as
"a bilingual plush that introduces everyday Spanish and English verbs through songs and play."
The guide also calls out the textured flaps made for sensory discovery, which is exactly how babies explore the world: with their hands, their mouths and their ears all at once.
What makes El Elefante Quiere a sensory-friendly baby gift
We designed El Elefante Quiere so every part of it invites your baby to touch, listen and play:
- Textured fabric flaps in soft, contrasting materials for little fingers to grab, lift and explore.
- A teether tail for babies who explore everything with their mouths.
- A gentle pull-string melody, "Un Elefante se Balanceaba," that plays the tune while you sing the words.
- Everyday verbs in Spanish and English under the flaps, like dormir (sleep) and jugar (play), so naming turns into talking.
And it's screen-free. No lights, no recorded voice doing the talking. Just a calm, cozy toy and the voice your baby already loves most: yours.
Why we made a toy that lets your voice lead
When I became a mamá, I wanted my daughter to grow up with Spanish the way I did: in songs, at the kitchen table, in the middle of ordinary days. I couldn't find toys that let my own voice lead, so we made them.
Research on how babies learn language keeps pointing to the same thing: little ones learn best from the real people who talk, sing and respond to them. El Elefante Quiere gives you the melody and the words to start with. You bring the warmth, the cuddles and the back-and-forth. That makes it an especially meaningful gift from an abuela, abuelo or tía who wants to pass the language on.
A season of press for our little elefante
This feature comes right after El Elefante Quiere landed in L.A. Parent's Jingle Holiday Gift Guide. It's also a 2026 NAPPA Award winner, a Mom's Choice Awards® Gold recipient, and was named to The Toy Insider's Best Toys for Infants list. And this fall, Birdsong was featured in British Vogue.
Give a sensory-friendly gift in two languages
Shop El Elefante Quiere ($54.99, birth to 3 years), or pair it with our counting sun, Cuéntale al Sol, in the Bilingual Play Bundle.
Frequently asked questions
Which Birdsong toy is in Northeast Ohio Parent's sensory-friendly gift guide?
El Elefante Quiere, our bilingual musical and verb learning plush, is in Northeast Ohio Parent's Sensory-Friendly Gifts for the Holidays guide (November 2026 issue, in print and online).
Is El Elefante Quiere a good sensory toy for babies?
Yes. It has textured fabric flaps to touch and lift, a teether tail, and a gentle pull-string melody, all in a soft, screen-free plush made for birth to 3 years.
Does the toy talk or light up?
No. The pull string plays the melody only, with no lights or recorded voice. You sing the words, because babies learn language best from live, responsive caregivers.
Do I need to speak fluent Spanish to use it?
No. The lyrics are easy to learn as you go, and warmth and consistency matter much more than a perfect accent.
Gracias, Northeast Ohio Parent (@neohioparent) and Elena, for including us, and thank you to every family who has brought Birdsong into their home this year.
Con amor,
Ashley
Founder, Birdsong