August 2009 Notable Toys — Dolls

This soft, huggable and sweet-smelling redhead just might become a “berry” best friends. A case includes eight individually packaged dolls. "She might be tiny, but Strawberry Shortcake has a huge heart! Her friends love to gather at her Berry Café, where they can always count on Strawberry Shortcake for a helping hand and some berry delicious treats — no wonder she’s everyone’s best friend in Berry Bitty City!" Jenna Banks, director of sales for EE Distribution, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

The company's longtime sweetheart, the Press 'n Dress Doll & Outfit Collection, is available in an embroiderable carry case for personalization. Developed from the concept of paper dolls, each interchangeable cloth outfit has secure Velcro® backing so kids can just “press to dress.” The product is tested and certified safe for all ages, and is designed to develop role playing and social skills. "Press ‘n Dress is absolutely perfect for the little girls who have not yet developed the small motor skills to dress and undress a traditional doll," May Grant, director of communications for Pockets of Learning, told TDmonthly. Press 'n Dress has received the following awards: Dr. Toy Best Vacation Toy in 2000; National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Honors Award Winner in 2002; and a TDmonthly Top Toy award in 2008. Launch date: June 2009.

Creatively designed for story telling, pretend and imaginative play and overall interaction with family, our storytelling dolls (3 positions for each doll) have been very popular over the years. Curious Goldilocks flips in surprise to discover Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear.

A favorite childhood character, Dora the Explorer is an adventurous little girl who loves to explore and learn. In this interactive toy, Dora wears a jacket with patches from four countries around the world that she visits in the television show. Upon pressing each patch, children can learn the words for “hello” and “goodbye” in the language for each country. Dora also speaks other phrases in English and Spanish, and sings the Friendship Song. Included are four collectible friendship bracelets from each country.
— “Dora the Explorer … even beats out Elmo,” remarked Tracie Meadows, owner of Whippersnappers in St. Simon's Island, Ga., of her best-selling licensed toy in April 2009.

Part of the “Since 1959” collection to commemorate the most famous vintage fashion dolls, Southern Belle Barbie is designed with feminine sophistication in mind. Her delicate pink dress is edged in intricate lace, with special heed paid to realistic garment details. She sports a sleek bob haircut and elegant makeup, and represents a modern take on the classic Plantation Belle doll fashion. 
— Cathy Gabay, owner of The Toy Parade in Salina, Kan., told TDmonthly in April 2009 that Barbie is one of only two licenses she chooses to sell in her store.

Ciao Ciao is condemned to live forever on earth, in her modern grave-loft with her boyfriend Adios. But she's cute, so that makes everything okeydokey. From TokiDoki.

This prickly lass is a lot cuddlier than she looks. She's part of a Japanese-inspired designer line of toys and clothing from Italian company TokiDoki. She's 9" high.

Hannah, Kayla, Taylor, Karina, Olivia, Briana, Lily and Anna are all best friends who have made a promise to listen to their hearts and do the right thing. All eight are available in this line, along with fashion accessories, outfits and each character's associated book. Each Club Doll comes with her own pet dog.n pet dog.

Girls can relive the magic of the Disney animated feature “The Princess and the Frog.” Just as in the story, Tiana wears a beautiful ball gown. When girls bring the frog, Prince Naveen, to Tiana for a kiss, Tiana will turn her head away and say one of the phrases from the movie. The fourth time, Tiana finally agrees and her dress comes alive with firefly lights and magical sounds. Launch date: October 2009.

Mademoiselle Rose makes a perfectly snuggly first companion for Baby.

Glamorous all around, Lakinzie is ready to take on anything. Stylin' in pink, purple and green, her outfit features: purple shoes, pink polka dot orange tights, a cute shiny patterned dress accented with lime green fur and beautiful bright highlighted blonde hair.
— Manhattan Toy’s products were listed as best sellers in spring 2009 by Steve Melody, owner of Melody’s Choices in Fayetteville, Ark. “Groovy Girls make up a good portion of the sales here, but the line offers much more,” he said.

Trish's purple hair can be styled with her own little comb. She's posable and flexible — she can even wander onto the web, thanks to a secret code that lets little girls access an online Ty Girlz world.

For those who love the 34" seated dolls in silicone/vinyl, Monika has created Kimmie. She has such an adorable sweet smile. Her brunette hair is braided and adorned with cute clips. She also has pretty brown eyes. Monika has dressed Kimmie in a white shirt with embroidered jeans and a red sweater. Kimmie's arms are sculpted into the shoulder plate and her legs go above the knees. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Newborn babies are Laura's specialty. Talia is a beautiful new creation done in silicone/ vinyl, 20" in height. She has pretty blonde hair and beautiful brown eyes. Laura was inspired by a baby she saw to create this combination of brown eyes and blonde hair. The arms are sculpted above the elbows and the legs are sculpted to attach to the cloth body at the hips. The baby is weighted to feel like a real baby. She is dressed in an adorable outfit that Laura selected for her. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

April is a pretty young girl sculpted by Monika Peter-Leicht. 40" in height in a seated position. She has a new style of leg that has more bend in it than previous Monika Peter-Leicht dolls as requested by her collectors. Her newly sculpted arms are sculpted into her shoulder plate and have more bend than Taylor's arms. She has pretty blonde hair and blue eyes. April has on a pretty red and white dress with coordinating red shoes and white ruffled socks. On her bodice is a starburst of red beading. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Doris has created an adorable new baby. She can be posed on her back looking at her hands and she can kneel. The full body offers alot of options for posing and for redressing this beautiful baby. 21" in silicone/vinyl. Tammy with her full body sculpt can be redressed in any outfit of your choice. She has pretty blonde hair and blue eyes. Doris has dressed her in a cute summery outfit with a soft green shirt and white onsie with pink ruffled edges. Accessory is not included. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Monika has created Savannah scaling 40" in vinyl. She has a beautiful face with pretty blue eyes and an incredibly gorgeous strawberry blonde wig. Her hair comes all the way down to her waist in soft curls. She has arms that are sculpted into her shoulder plate. Her legs are sculpted well above the knees. She is dressed in a pretty yellow and white striped shirt with an adorable ruffled edge skirt. She has on pretty matching white shoes. She comes with a wooden doll stand. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Fiorenza who lives in Italy has created an adorable new baby. Mariana is 22" in silicone/vinyl. Her arms are sculpted above the elbows and her legs are sculpted above the knees. Mariana has chunky arms and legs. She has a weighted cloth body so she feels like a real baby when you hold her. She has brunette hair and pretty blue eyes. Fiorenza has dressed her in a cute onesie outfit and she wears a diaper underneath. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Mackenna is an adorable little girl with an expression that will make you smile as well. She has arms sculpted above the elbow and legs sculpted that attach to the cloth body. She has reddish brown hair and pretty blue/green eyes. She is dressed in a pink and green watermelon style dress with her name embroidered on the collar. She also has on a beaded bracelet. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Monika has created Addison, her first 44" seated doll in vinyl. Addison's newly sculpted arms are sculpted above the elbow with cloth that attaches to her body for easy mobility. She has a nice full breast plate. Her legs are sculpted to just below her knees for ease in posing. Addison has beautiful very long brunette hair with red highlights and pretty green eyes. Monika has wrapped her hair with pretty pink ribbon and pink clips. She has dressed her in a cute outfit with a ruffled shirt and 3/4 length pants. She has on white socks with a pretty ruffle and pink matching shoes. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Keira is 34" in vinyl. Keira has pretty blonde hair drawn up on the top in a ponytail with bangs and tendrils hanging down in front and back. She has beautiful blue eyes. Monika has sculpted Keira with arms that go in the shoulder plate and legs sculpted well above the knees. Keira is dressed in a cute white tee shirt and deep pink patchwork jumper. She has on coordinating shoes. She comes with a wooden doll stand. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Monika Levenig has created an incredible new full body sculpt with 11 joints for her new Hailey. Ht 40" in vinyl. Hailey can be posed many ways that would not be possible without the joints that Monika sculpted for this special doll. The ball joints are in the elbows and the knees. The knee joints are done just above the knee for a beautiful look when seated. Also there are regular joints in the wrists that allow for unique positioning of her hands as well. Hailey comes to life with all her different poses. Her face with the open mouth expression is sure to make you smile. She also has beautiful long blonde silky hair and blue eyes. She is dressed in a cute pink and green dress with coordinating shoes. She comes with a wooden doll stand. Limited Edition 350 pieces.