Client: Bowfish Kids, Ocean City, NJ
Industry: Children's boutique & community retail
Product: Pip the Sandpiper — custom storybook-character plush
Uses: Retail merchandise, storytime companion, gifting, seaside keepsake
Goal: Turn a beloved book character into something families can hold
See how Bears for Humanity helped Bowfish Kids bring Pip the Sandpiper from the Hello, Ocean City! storybook to life as a thoughtful custom plush.
🏖️ A Boutique Rooted in Community
Founded by Caitlin Quirk in 2013, Bowfish Kids is a children's boutique in Ocean City, New Jersey, known for its community spirit and its curated mix of sustainable brands.
Its picture book Hello, Ocean City!, written and illustrated by Olivia Margulis, follows Pip the Sandpiper as she explores local landmarks while searching for her Grammy. For every copy of the book sold, Bowfish donates $1 to the Humane Society of Ocean City.
📖 The Opportunity: From Page to Playtime
Pip had already won hearts on the page. Bowfish Kids wanted a character families could actually hold — an own-brand retail product that extends the story beyond the book and gives young readers a companion for their Ocean City adventures.
✨ The Solution: Pip, Thoughtfully Made
Bears for Humanity translated Pip's illustrated charm into a soft, huggable plush through our custom plush manufacturing process. The design keeps her recognizable brown and cream body, oversized embroidered eyes, petite wings, small beak, signature head tuft and rounded feet — details that make her instantly familiar to anyone who has read the book.
🧵 Product Snapshot
- Character: Pip the Sandpiper from Hello, Ocean City!
- Colors: Brown and cream body true to the illustrations
- Details: Oversized embroidered eyes, small beak, head tuft
- Form: Petite wings and rounded feet for a soft, huggable shape
- Materials: Made with organic cotton and responsible manufacturing practices
💛 Why It Matters
These are intended benefits and applications, not claims of measured sales results.
🧸 Why Bears for Humanity?
Bears for Humanity specializes in bespoke plush and offers organic cotton textile options, thoughtful material selection, skilled character development and responsible manufacturing practices — helping retailers and authors turn original characters into products families love.
Bring your character to life
Whether it starts in a picture book, a shop window or a sketchbook, Bears for Humanity can help you create a custom plush your customers will treasure.