Sylvanian Families (Shirubania famirii) first took to the shelves in Japan and North American in 1985.

After enjoying a period of early success, Japanese manufacturer EPOCH Ltd. broadened its distribution into western Europe; most notably the UK through children’s merchandise and entertainment company Tomy.

By 1988, Sylvanian Families had become a phenomena around parts of the world, which lent itself to an animated series and winning the British Association of Toy Retailers’ award for "Toy of the Year" three years running in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

There was also an animated TV series shown in the 1980s, which saw Sylvanian Families grow further in popularity in both Spain and the UK. The series was also broadcast throughout the early 1990s on the US cable channel Nick Jr.

By the end of the 1990s, the Sylvanian Families brand had been discontinued in the UK, although it returned with a vengeance through British toy distributor Flair Leisure Products Limited in 1999. To date, the Sylvanian Families product range is now even more widely available across Europe, *North America, Asia and Australasia.

In 2012, our woodland friends will proudly celebrate 25 years in the UK, which will coincide with a selected number of new collectable items – many of which will be available through sylvaniangroup.co.uk

* The Sylvanian Families is currently available in North America under the brand name of Calico Critters.

The Timbertops (Brown Bears), The Evergreens (Grey Bears), The Wildwoods (Brown Rabbits), The Babblebrooks (Grey Rabbits), The Thistlethorns (Grey Mice), The McBurrows (Brown Moles)

The Country Cottage and the Deluxe Country House were the first houses and all the original furniture was green in colour with brass handles. There were also four Wedding Figure Sets available - Sweetwater (Grey Bears), Honeypot (Brown Bears), Windward (Brown Rabbits) and Brighteyes (Grey Rabbits).

Families: Treefellows (Owls), Slydales (Foxes), Waters (Beavers), Chestnuts (Grey Racoons), Oakwoods (Squirrels)
Buildings: Bakery, School, Treehouse

Families: Corntops (Yellow Rabbits with Grey Spots), Forresters (Dogs), Cat-Woods (Brown Cats), Underwoods (Badgers)
Buildings: Nursery, Caravan, Country Manor (with real work

Families: Snow-Warrens (White Rabbits), Puddlefords (Ducks), Honeybears (Tan Bears)
Buildings/Accessories: Pony, Windmill, Pony & Trap, Stable, Pony Club: Holly, Bramble, Willow, Ivy, Nutmeg, Strawberry

Families: Solitaires (Grey Cats), Brambles (Hedgehogs), Bullrushes (Frogs)
Buildings/Accessories: Pony & Ice Cream Cart, Cottage Hospital, Village Florist, Deluxe Country Mansion

Families: Bamboos (Pandas), Nettlefields (Goats), Marmalades (Brown Bears with white muzzles)
Buildings/Accessories: Milkman, Doctor, Post Office, Village Store, Country Bus, Country Cottage with Balcony

Families: Vandykes (Otters), Truffles (Wild Boars)
Buildings/Accessories: Policeman, Captain Seadog, Captain's Crew, Lock Keeper's Cottage, Marmalade Bear Grandparents, Marmalade Bear Wedding Set.
Launch of the Sylvanian Families Club

Families: Bouquets (Skunks), Furbanks (Squirrels), Billabongs (Koalas)
Buildings/Accessories: Basil & Suzette (Chef & Waitress), Harvester Restaurant, Nursery Treehouse

Families: Dappledawns (Fawn Rabbits)
Buildings/Accessories: Village Boutique, Meadowcroft Cottage (with figures Jack & Maisie Meadows - light brown mice), Carrie & Danny's Carousel Set, Baden & Mikaela's Camping Set, Eric Renard's Playground Set, Roxy Renard's Home Interior Set

Family: Mulberrys (Racoons/Red Pandas)
Accessories: Woodland Wedding Set
Tomy launches Sylvanian Families Little World

(10th Anniversary of Sylvanian Families in the UK)
Families: Waddlingtons (Ducks), Norwoods (Brown Mice)
10th Anniversary Families (Mum, Dad and 1 baby): Babblebrooks (Grey Rabbits), McBurrows (Brown Moles), Timbertops (Brown Bears)
Buildings/Accessories: Primrose Creche Set, Grandma's Coffee Break,

Family: Beagles (Dogs)
Building: Bakery

Family: Petites (Light Brown Bears with Cream muzzles)
Building: Orchard Cottage

Families: Cottontails (Grey Rabbits with White faces), Renards (Foxes)
Buildings/Accessories: Primrose Cottage, Village Bus, Old Mill, House on the Hill

Building: St Francis School House & Library
Accessories: Family Life in Sylvania is launched with baby carry cases and figure sets.
From this year onwards there were new baby carry cases and figures sets launched every year, which are not individually listed.

Families: Macavitys (Striped Cats), Kennelworths (Dalmation Dogs)
Buildings: Lakeside Lodge, Grand Mansion

Families: Maces (Pale Brown Mice), Plumes (Grey & Cream Owls)
Buildings: House of Brambles Department Store, Brambles Cottage, Village Boutique

Families: Huckleberrys (Hound Dogs), Periwinkles (Cream Rabbits), Whiskers (Cats), Moss (Reindeers), Porridges (Brown Bears)
Buildings/Accessories:Oakwood Manor, Caravan & Pony, Pony & Trap, Stable & Pony

Families: Hawthorns (White Mice), Wildwoods (Brown Rabbits), Evergreens (Grey Bears)
Buildings/Accessories: Willow Hall (with real working lights), Country Bus, Hazelwood Toy Shop, The Mill on the Hill, Primrose Nursery, St John's School.

Families: Dales (Sheep), Hamiltons (Hamster), Slydales (Honey Foxes)
Buildings/Accessories: Baby Playroom, Baby Bathroom, Primrose Baby Windmill, Primrose Park, Wedding Chapel with Bride & Groom, Wedding Car, Willow Hall Conservatory, Ivy Cottage, Riverside Lodge