Before tablets, smartphones, and Spotify, storybooks we brought to life through cassette tapes and animated plush companions colloquially known as Talkers.

By 1985, advances in compact cassette players and simple step-motor mechanisms sparked a wave of interactive “talking” toys. The market quickly filled with animated plush characters such as Bingo Bear, I.Q. Bear, TV Teddy, Say It Again Sam, Mother Goose, Big Bird’s Storytime, and, of course, Teddy Ruxpin.

Select’s entry into the growing talking storybook market was Gabby Bear, an interactive plush companion designed for young readers. Gabby was supported by a library of ten storybooks, each accompanied by its own cassette tape. The books could be purchased individually, or together as a complete set.

Standing 22 inches tall and weighing 39 ounces without batteries, Gabby Bear was powered by four AA batteries, and included a 6-volt DC adapter to help reduce battery usage during extended play sessions.

Gabby’s beloved voice was brought to life by Dick Beals, best known for his work as Gumby, and the iconic Speedy Alka-Seltzer mascot.

Story titles included:

• “Robbin’ Raven Goes Nutty”
• “The Purrr Pet Pillow Caper”
• “Fooly, The Unfoxey Fox”
• “The Persnickety Pristine de Pigge”
• “Bandit, The Outrageous Raccoon”
• “Ruff Wolf’s Not So Tuff”
• “Knuckles The Squirrel, Knuckles Under”
• “Woodpecking With The Peck Brothers”
• “Mary Jo, The Kindly Cow”