All right, first a few words of warning – diabetics may find what follows to be inherently dangerous to their overall health. For we are about to enter the sugary sweet realm of thumb-sucking monkey dolls and you proceed at your own risk.

In the mid-70s, the Japanese unleashed the cuddly, adorable Monchhichi (complete with additional “h”) on an unsuspecting world. But it wasn’t until 1980, when Hanna-Barbera decided to follow up their previously cute offering, The Smurfs, with another adorable addition to their Saturday morning lineup. Working with Mattel Toys, the two conspired to bring the lovable Monchichis to the airwaves and the toy stores.

These precious primates, the Monchichis, lived high atop the trees in their native land of Monchia, where they faced consistent harassment from the evil Grumplins of Grumplor. Led by the aging wizard, Wizzar, the adorable, yet heroic, Monchichis consisted of Moncho, Tootoo, Parchitt, Kyla and the tiny, yet hyperactive Thumkii. This tribe of tree-dwelling primates relied on a series of spells and potions concocted by Wizzar to combat their adversaries from Grumplor.

To coincide with the cartoon series, Mattel stood ready with an army of Monchichis, complete with hard plastic thumbs perpetually sucked by their primate owners. Soft and furry, cuddly and cute, little girls found them simply irresistible and they flew off store shelves as fast as they could be stocked. The series, on the other hand (or thumb, if you prefer) was short-lived, only lasting a single season, but that didn’t slow down the toy sales. Seemingly endless variations were marketed, from plush dolls to tiny PVC figurines, and they proceeded to inhabit little girls bedrooms everywhere, clinging to book bags and perched proudly atop bedroom pillows.

While the days of American made Monchichis have long since past, Japanese imports continue to flood the market, ensuring that everyone that still longs for their own thumb-sucking monkey doll needn’t go without. Just be sure to stock up on the insulin beforehand.