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Growing up there was a doll I always
wanted. It was a Madame Alexander doll called Elise. She was the
most beautiful prima ballerina. Anyway, after months of begging my
parents got her for me for my birthday. Well, about 25 years later my
daughter and I took my doll to the Madame Alexander Doll Hospital to be
restored. I received her back and she sits proudly in my daughters
room. You can read all about our Madame Alexander Doll Factory visit right
here. I decided to do a
special section on dolls because there are so many wonderful ones out there
that it seems a shame to pick only one or two to feature. Here are a
selection of the best dolls we've found and what our reviewers have had to
say about them! Baby Dolls
Play Dolls Collectibles
Accessories
Sweet
Baby Doll (Lee Middleton Dolls) This doll was reviewed by a
6 1/2-year-old doll lover, and according to her this doll wins the prize.
She had heard about the "Adoption Centers" at FAO Schwarz her
mother couldn't afford to do it. Even though she didn't "experience"
the adoption she did get the doll. This doll is so lifelike said her
mother! The baby weighs four pounds,
is 19" tall and comes in a white sleeper gown and cap, diaper and
hospital nursery wristband. This doll makes a fabulous sibling gift!
Ages 3 and up. $80.00
Baby Annabell
(by Zapf Creation) Baby Annabell is a very realistic baby doll. With her lifelike
qualities, it's easy to see why she's a huge hit overseas. She cries, laughs, and burps. She sucks on her pacifier and bottle
and closes her eyes when relaxed. To the relief of our parent tester, Annabell stops
making noise when put down for more than a minute. She comes in a cute little outfit with a bottle and
pacifier. A plus is that her coloring and skin tone are realistic for many ethnic groups.
Ages 3 and up, $49.99
Play Dolls
The
Maggie Raggies Princess & Her Frog According to the mother
of our 3-year-old tester," 'She’s so pretty!' was the first thing my
three-year-old daughter told me. This toy is a real winner especially when
the frog makes a kissing sound or a croak. My daughter also loved it when the frog opened up to become a prince! A great little girl’s soft, cuddly dolly."
Ages 2 and up. $24.99
Kailey
(American Girl) Kailey is the newest American Girl doll and
according to our tester "really cool!" She's a ten-year-old
girl who loves to ride the waves! She's 18
inches tall, has light
brown eyes and blond hair with two braids in the front. She comes in
a trendy sundress with matching underwear. Her accessories include
sandals, a beaded necklace, bracelet and anklet! She also comes
complete with her book. $84.00
American
Girl Place in New York City. If you are thinking about getting
your granddaughter one of these dolls and live near either New York or
Chicago I hear a trip to the American Girl Place is a must! A "Day at
American Girl Place" includes a meal in the Cafe, a live musical
show, a CD of The American Girls Revue original cast recording, $130 spending money,
Souvenir doll T-shirt and comes in a pretty red envelope. It costs
$250.00 for one adult and one child, but what an experience!
Groovy Girls
(by Manhattan Toy Co) Last year our tester's
mother was scurrying about looking in every store to find Groovy Girls for
her daughter. Apparently all her girlfriends had every single one.
That's why our tester was so thrilled when we gave her Groovy Girl Vanessa
from the USA. Vanessa is decked out in a patriotic outfit including a
flag top. Just like her friends, Vanessa's clothes can be changed.
Needless to say, our 5 1/2-year-old tester thought Vanessa was just great.
The mother of our tester has reported that her 5 1/2-year-old has asked
Santa for Victoria and Verity for Christmas. Ages 3-12, $9.99
Bratz
Dolls (MGA
Entertainment) If you want to be the "cool"
grandparent this holiday season - get your grandchild a Bratz doll! Ask any
girl between the ages of say 5 and 12 what they want and I'll be shocked
if they don't say Bratz dolls. These dolls are hip, fun and most of
all the thing to have this holiday season! Find everything in the Bratz Store.
Prices start at $16.99.
My Scene Barbie Chillin Out
(Mattel) My kids and all their friends seem to really love these
dolls. Their clothes are fun, they have hip equipment and are easy to
dress. The only downside is the shoes which never seem to stay on -
this only seems to frustrate the younger kids - older kids seem to figure
out how to make it work! At $13.99 it's a real deal and a great
gift!
Barbie
in Swan Lake The recently released
direct-to-video film Barbie, Barbie of Swan
Lake, is a fun movie that follows in the footsteps of Barbie
in the Nutcracker and Barbie
as Rapunzel. As a result there is a whole line of toys
including including a CD-ROM, Barbie
of Swan Lake,
Barbie
as Odette Doll that has Barbie in full, gorgeous
costume and swan wings that light up and flap with a press of a button.
A Prince Daniel (Ken) doll, and more. To find all toys and games related
to the movie click here: Barbie
of Swan Lake toys & games. According to our tester's mom, this
doll is played with constantly and the DVD's are viewed at least once or
twice a week! She also commented that much to her surprise she enjoys
watching the movies as well! Hannah Pepper (Alexander Doll
Company) So many dolls are geared towards youngsters yet dressed like twenty-something's. Hannah
Pepper is refreshingly young. Her body image is correct, her clothes are youthful, her face isn't
coated in make-up and she's collectible! Our tester reluctantly put down her other dolls to
try this one and was pleasantly surprised! She loved the little details that this doll had including
the daintily little sandals! I just gave my Madame Alexander doll to my daughter, perhaps your
grandchild will do the same! Ages 4 and up, $39.95 Ballesque (by Manhattan Toy Co) These great dolls from
Manhattan Toy Company are fully poseable, soft and pretty. This doll, Sophie,
has removable dancewear is just like the ones real ballerinas wear, and
their toe shoes have ribbon ties. They come with stands so your grandchild
can pose them any way they like and keep them that way. Our tester, a
little dancer herself had a blast playing with the doll! Ages 3-12, $19.95
  8"
Posable Madeline Doll - (Learning Curve, ages 3 and up, $14.99)
Famous since 1939 when Ludwig Bemelmans published his first Madeline
storybook, the French schoolgirl is still a very popular character with
kids. My daughter got her first Madeline doll when she turned three, and
she's been a big fan ever since. The posable doll is easy to dress and play
with. As a parent, I like her realistic body type; she even has a scar from
when she had her appendix removed. Accessories include outfits, doll
versions of other characters from the books, and even a horse and carriage
set.
Collectibles Bouquet
(Alexander Doll Company) When my daughter and I went to the Madame
Alexander Doll Factory in New York city we had a wonderful tour, saw all
their dolls and just had a blast. While I was meeting with some of the
people their Madison was given a catalog to look through. When asked
what her favorite doll was she pointed to this one. We were so
surprised when a week or so later this doll arrived included in the
review. Since she had selected it as her all-time favorite it became
hers. This beautiful doll is so incredible that the picture really
doesn't do her justice. She has a gorgeous silk dress with hand
beading, a matching purse. Real crystal jewelry and more! She's
one of only 750 and retails for $179.95
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