What's a La Oof?
I hope you'd like to be my friend. Perhaps you have a La Oof friend of your own. We came to this land once, long ago, and some of us stayed because we liked it here so much. If you know one of us, please sign my guestbook and tell me the name of your La Oof friend. I always enjoy meeting new people and making new friends!
Thorbee
original artwork copyright 1986 carolyn binnell all rights reserved
Carolyn Binnell & Enterprise La Oof
The story behind La Oof
Jenie's grandmother, Carolyn Binnell, created La Oof in 1986 as a therapy tool for work with children of abuse and psychological trauma. A retired elementary school principal and educator, Gramma Binnell was very passionate about La Oof and put her heart into every single aspect of production, from the first rough drawings to the very last one sewn. She closed Enterprise La Oof and retired in 1996. Jenie always regretted the end of La Oof, and when Gramma Binnell passed away in 2003, she started thinking about bringing La Oofs back. It's been a little over 5 years since then, and it's finally time to begin the process of returning La Oof to life. We hope you'll share your La Oof photos and stories here. It makes us happy to hear how people react to La Oof, and if she were here with us, it would make Gramma Binnell happy, too.
What's New?
A word from Jenie
La Oof Trivia
The large yellow eyes of the La Oof are modeled after an owl's eyes and were the hardest part of the creature to get right. A lot of work went into them. Gramma Binnell felt they were the most important part.
The first, prototype La Oofs were a lighter brown (blonde) color. The first official issue was in two colors, blonde and dark brown. Pink came later.
Each color of La Oof has a different sunburst specially made to match.
The only "official" La Oof names are Thorbee, Reva, and Big Quindle.
The name "La Oof" purposely does not mean anything in any language.
"La Oof" doesn't mean teamwork, but it could!
A La Oof story
This is my friend Reva. Once upon a time, Reva and I fought and argued a lot. I would tease Reva until she got mad, and she would tease me. I pulled her ears, and she yanked on my tail. Sometimes, we were very mean. Then one day, we got caught in a big flood. It was very scary. I thought we would drown. But we learned to work together, and our beaver tails helped us swim against the strong current. We helped each other to safety. Now we're a team and play together nicely like all the other La Oofs. Our favorite things to do are bouncing and twirling - it's fun!
Give a shout!
If you have a La Oof or just want to say hi or ask a question, we'd love to hear from you!
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- brittny89 brittny89 Dec 14, 2009 @ 9:53 pm
- Hi my name is Brittny . My dad gave me a La oof when i was around 2 or 3 , the story behind how he aquired the la oof is, a woman therapist from California (i believe) came through the truck stop where he'd been employed as a mechanic, she was either giving or selling these la oofs , she had told my dad that they would help chase away the nightmares of little ones, so he opted to get it, i am so happy he did because i am now 20 and i still sleep with la oof call me a baby but i wont go anywhere without him
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- katrina katrina Dec 13, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
- I used to have a La Oof. I loved that thing soooooo very much. I want to find another one. I dont know what happened to the one I had. Between mom and dad and the divorce?? I am 28 now, and needing to have a La Oof to cry on again! Please helpe me find one!! Email me at katrinazoesmith@hotmail.com
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- Katrina Smith Katrina Smith Dec 13, 2009 @ 9:23 pm
- I used to have a La Oof. I loved that thing soooooo very much. I want to find another one. I dont know what happened to the one I had. Between mom and dad and the divorce?? I am 28 now, and needing to have a La Oof to cry on again! Please helpe me find one!! Email me at katrinazoesmith@hotmail.com
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- Bee Bee Dec 12, 2009 @ 10:43 am
- Hey! I own a La Oof. He is brown and we love him! We love him so much that our RV has the license plate "La Oof", named after it's little guardian who sits inside the window. They still make them? I did not know that. Ours seems to be from the 80's, maybe? Anyways...his name is just La Oof! I don't think he needs a different name! Thank you for this blog and the opportunity to share our La Oof stories.
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- Bubbles Bubbles Oct 5, 2009 @ 10:36 pm
- I just wanted to say i think it's cool they have names now. Back when they 1st came out they didn't. my brother-in-law bought all my children one. Big pink & purple and of course the brown. my kids are in there 20's and still have them. My question is, I would like to buy some for all my grandchildren. Is there away i can do that. My e-mail is Bubbles51857@aol.com. Thank you for you time
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La Oof Links
- Follow La Oof on twitter!
- The official La Oof twitter stream for updates and chats.
- Linda Wisdom's Name the La Oof Contest @ Witchy Chicks
- Writer Linda Wisdom held a contest to see who would name her La Oof and provide a fictional history. Linda then wrote a story using that history, and the winner won a signed copy of her newest book! You can visit Linda at her MySpace page, too: http://www.myspace.com/lindawisdombooks
- LaOof.com Coming Soon
- It's not ready to go yet, but we'll tell you when it is!
Do you have a La Oof of your own?
(this is one of mine)
We'd like to feature you here! If you have a La Oof page on the web, or photo of La Oof you'd like to share, let us know. We'll post your link here and your photo on our website!
Some Books We Like
(and think you might, too!)
Toys We Love
Ohio Art Classic Etch A Sketch In 1960 Box
Jenie's favorite toy to play with when we went to visit Grandma!
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 01/01/2010) 
RED Classic Model L ViewMaster 3D viewer and Collector Reel
An oldie but a goodie; Jenie still has hers!
Amazon Price: $14.55 (as of 01/01/2010)
ViewMaster 4-Sets, Wild Animals & NEW Dinosaurs - + Bonus Reel - 13 Reels
Kids love dinosaurs, and the wild animal slides were always Jenie's favorites.
Amazon Price: $37.88 (as of 01/01/2010)
Deluxe Spirograph
Jenie used her allowance money to buy one of these in 5th grade.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010)
Lite Brite Flatscreen - White
If you've never had a Lite Brite, you owe it to yourself now to get one. Every kid needs a Lite Brite. :) Jenie finally got hers for Christmas a few years ago!
Amazon Price: $24.04 (as of 01/01/2010)
Books for Teens & Big Kids
Games & Creativity
Classic Ker Plunk! Game
Jenie's favorite thing to play when she was a kid
Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 01/01/2010)
Original UNO Card Game
Draw 2! Skip your opponent! Change the color and make the guy next to you who's down to his last card draw 4 more! Take no prisoners in this classic game of intrigue, revenge, and plain old fun. :)
Amazon Price: $4.75 (as of 01/01/2010)
Carcassonne
Jenie just learned how to play this game of strategy, and she loves it.
Amazon Price: $27.46 (as of 01/01/2010)
Clue
The classic board game, at a great price! Jenie's favorite board game, back in the day
Amazon Price: $18.15 (as of 01/01/2010)
