I don't actually own this item. What we own is the earlier version, where the animials are all plastic.I went to buy this for a friend and was very disappointed in the change. One of the best things about this set was that the animals were durable and easy to clean. My son carried the zebras with him everywhere and I could even put them in the dishwasher after he "fed" them sweet potatoes.I don't doubt that children would love to "touch and feel" the new, cloth parts. What I doubt is that parents will WANT them to touch and feel those parts after a few months of accumulated grime.I suggest finding the old set gently used, and buying that instead.