Dolls, Dolls, Dolls

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    Fashion Dolls    Collectibles    Doll Excursions

Baby Dolls

Tidoo Bath Baby (Corolle) Age 12 months - 3 years, $29.99
The tester for this doll was my son.  Since he spends all his time in the bath he wanted a doll he could take in there too - so he got to test this one.  He loved it.  This doll went with him everywhere.  It's a cuddly, light 12" doll that floats in the tub! This baby doll is filled with polystyrene pellets that allow it to be shaped and bent into every pose, and to dry quickly.  He also really loved it's signature "vanilla scent".

Love me CHOU CHOU Function Doll (Zapf Creation) Ages 3 and up $44.99 
Does your grandchild want a doll that kicks, cries and sucks on a bottle like a real baby?  Well according to our tester this doll does just that and she "loves it!"  According to the mother of our tester, this baby became "part of the family."  Love me CHOU CHOU is a 19 inch doll that looks, feels, and acts so much like a real baby. 

Little Sweetheart (Lee Middleton Dolls) This beautiful baby comes with her own bead kit so your grandchild can make a baby bracelet for the baby and herself (or himself!)  Our 4-year-old reviewer just loved this doll and constantly takes it for walks reports her mother! (Ages 3+, $69.95)

Little Mommy™ Doll & Shopping Cart (Mattel) Ages 3 and up.  Doll $12.99  Shopping Cart: $29.99
Given to a Montessori school to review, the consensus was that the kids (both boys and girls) love playing with this set.  The girls tend to really enjoy playing "mommy goes shopping."  The boys had fun dressing, undressing and carrying around the doll.  The set includes lots of pretend food, a special seat for the baby, and a removable basket. There's also the ever important cell phone.  

Play Dolls

Cabbage Patch Kids (PlayAlong Toys) Ages 3-6, $29.99
Cabbage Patch Kids dolls are back! Our 3 1/2 year-old tester loves her Cabbage Patch Kids doll, Nelida Ollie (each doll has his/her own name and comes with adoption papers). Nelida brought a big smile to our tester's face along with a couple of "wows" when presented to her. Since then, her mother reports that, "Nelida has remained pretty much constantly by her side: at preschool, at mealtime and at bedtime." Nelida is cute and cuddly and her clothes and shoes are removable, so our tester enjoys undressing and dressing her as well as playing with her hair. This is a perfect gift for a little girl! 

Amelia Earhart (Girls Explore) Ages 8 and up, $65.00 
Imagine a doll that was not only fun to play with, but was also represented a real hero - a real role model for girls!  Girls Explore has found a way to make doll play fun and educational!  We gave this Amelia Earhart doll to second grader who enjoyed the doll and book so much she took it to school.  Her teacher, in turn, used the doll and the book as a lesson in class.  Each doll is 12 inches tall and comes with her own box, biography, and fun real life accessory.  Amelia Earhart comes with a real working compass.  Both our tester, her mom and the teacher agreed that this was a great gift.

Groovy Girls (by Manhattan Toy Co)  Ages 3 -12, $9.99  
These dolls are certainly tried and true.  Every year we give them to reviewers and every year the results are the same - kids and parents love them.  They are soft and cuddly, fresh and funky.  They don't cost too much and cover full gamut of backgrounds.  Our little testers love these dolls and their fun accessories.  This year the tested the diner set and a beds with canopy - they had a blast. 

Nellie (American Girl) Ages 8 and up, $90.00 
Want to introduce your granddaughter to dolls with history?  Check out American Girl dolls.  Our 9-year-old tester, loved her American Girl doll Nellie who arrived dressed in a white dress with white tights, Mary Jane shoes, and cotton underwear. She is 18 inches tall and has a soft, huggable body with arms and legs you can pose. Brush her shiny hair and tie it up with her big blue hair ribbon.  Nellie is an orphan in 1906 who lives with Samantha (the other new American Girl doll this holiday season.)  The story is about friendship, trust and fulfilling the promise she made to her dying mother - keeping the family together.  Special Note:  Samantha: An American Girl Holiday airs on November 23rd on the WB.

Camille (Corolle Dolls) Ages 5 years and up $29.99
This doll was reviewed by both a 5 year old and a 6 year old and they agreed that she was a great doll.  She has fun clothes that are current, yet not too trendy.  They look like real girls with real clothes and real bodies.   The reviewers really enjoyed playing with the dolls and according to their moms - they still are. 

David & Sarah (Language Littles) Ages 3 - 8, $34.99 
These cute dolls speak both Hebrew and English and our 4 ½ year old tester was immediately interested in the doll and began repeating the Hebrew words. She was excited and said “listen, I can speak Hebrew!”. She went to sleep with the doll making him say “I love You”. She really wants to collect the other dolls and hear them speak other languages. No directions other than the hand pressing language guide is a plus for mommy. 

Fashion Dolls

Tokyo A Go-Go Bratz Dolls (MGA Entertainment) Age 6 and up  $19.99
According to our 6-year-old tester these dolls are too cool!  She even got her mom to go out and get more accessories after reviewing the doll!  Here's what her mom had to say, "my daughter just loves this doll, she plays with it all the time and loves all the little accessories that come with it."   These dolls are hip, fun and most of all the thing to have this holiday season!  Find everything in the Bratz Store.  

Barbie as Princess Anneliese & Erika (Mattel) Ages 3 years & up $39.99 
If you remember, last year the doll to have was Barbie in Swan Lake.  There has also been Barbie in the Nutcracker and Barbie as Rapunzel.  Our tester has apparently enjoyed all three, and was delighted to be able to review the Erika Doll and Ken as King Dominick.  Our tester commented that she "loved the beautiful dress that her doll came in and the fact she could sing songs from the movie."

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

Just Like Mommy (Lee Middleton Dolls)  If your mother, daughter or daughter-in-law is a doll collector this is a fabulous gift.  This beautiful doll by Lee Middleton Dolls was designed by Reva Schick and is a Numbered and Limited Edition Collectible Vinyl Doll.

"Just Like Mommy" comes dressed in a gorgeous linen dress in coral with floral embroidery.  It has yellow piping and covered buttons. She comes with her own "baby" that is dressed in a matching outfit! They both come with lacy white socks and white shoes. 

She retails for $139.00 and is definitely collectible.  Buy one for your granddaughter today and save it for when she becomes a Mom!  A real treasure!

Doll Excursions

Madame Alexander Doll Factory: 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.  

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!  Read our review.