Panda Patch: A UK Sylvanian Families Fan Site

UK and USA
The moles were first released by Tomy in 1987, and were one of the first families to be released. In my History of Sylvanian Families magazine (it came with a Collectors Club magazine - not terribly useful a lot of the time!) it shows:



Father - wearing red
Mother - wearing green
Brother - wearing yellow
Sister - wearing green

However there were a couple of other releases slightly later on (I don't know the exact dates) which had the figures in these different coloured felt jackets:

Mother: wearing blue
Father/Mother: wearing yellow
Brother/Sister: wearing red

I'm sorry I'm not entirely sure which gender the figures are for two of them. If you happen to know, please contact me.

Both the original UK and US releases by Tomy are identical, and both have standing babies in solid moulds (meaning that the poor dears can't move their arms or legs).

Just the UK
After Flair had taken over from Tomy in 1999, they decided to re-release the McBurrows with open hands and standing babies with moving arms and legs (hurray!). The colours are the same as those that I mentioned from the History of Sylvanian Families magazine.

In 1997 a 10th Anniversary edition of the McBurrows moles was released, which included father, mother, and baby girl in new clothes, and they have the most adorable pink noses! I think this was the inspiration for the Clearwater vole family. In January of 2011 a new release of the McBurrows moles emerged with all the family members in new clothes for the first time, as well as re-released standing babies.

Japan
The McBurrows first appeared in Japan in around 1985, and each of the adult and child figures were sold in two different colours (red, blue, yellow, green). The standing babies were also in the knitted look romper outfits (typical of Japanese Sylvanians) in red, blue, and yellow.

Although not technically McBurrows moles, Toy's Dream Project released a brown mole family in 2005 with little pink noses, which were a limited release of 3000 sets. They have open hands, which is unusal for typical Japanese figures. Included in the set was also a standing baby girl.

Digger McBurrows is an expert at making tunnels and sometimes he doesn't see the sun for days at a time, especially in the winter. His family is always cosy, no matter what the weather.

Heidi McBurrows is very house-proud and no matter when you visit, you'll always find her cleaning. Her husband, Digger, says that when it comes to cleaning, she's got 'Tunnel Vision'!

Muddy McBurrows drives his mother up the wall. He just cannot keep his clothes clean - he's always covered in mud.

Molly McBurrows is very clever with her hands. She loves to make presents for all her family and friends.