TDmonthly’s Top 10 Most Wanted Dolls

For a more recent report on current doll trends, check out the following update.

The research for this article was compiled by December 10, 2004.

Interactivity and electronics are the season’s buzz words -- dolls are incorporating both these trends to encourage play. Movie tie-ins are also a huge trend. As parents pick up the first “American Girl” movie or Barbie’s big screen adventure, children are desperate to add these new characters to their collections.

Dora The Explorer: Magic Hair Fairy Tale Dora by FISHER-PRICE INC.

Dora “magically” grows or shortens her hair and sings while the lights on her crown twinkle.

-- This is the number one top seller on both amazon.com dolls and toys categories.
-- Dora has sold out at both Walmart.com and Toys ‘R Us.
-- One Mommies Group member says, “My daughter is getting a Dora doll for Christmas. Everything Dora is exploding. . .”

Expect this doll as well as all Dora products to trend up as this character grows in popularity and momentum well past the holiday season. 12/23/2004 (MSRP: $29.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Barbie® as the Princess and the Pauper Princess Anneliese™ Doll by MATTEL INC.

New Anneliese dolls from the popular Barbie film sing songs from the movie and perform duets with the Erik and Serafina dolls.

-- It’s #14 on Amazon.com and #3 on Amazon.com dolls top sellers.
-- The “Princess and the Pauper” movie has already hit number one in video sales.
-- "As musicals continue to make their mainstream comeback, we felt it was a natural evolution. . ." Russell Arons, vice president, Mattel

The Barbie Princess and Pauper movie is still extremely popular with children and the tie-in items are expected to continue flying off the shelves as well. 12/23/2004 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Holiday Bratz New Year´s Cele-Bratz-Tion! Yasmin Collector´s Edition by MGA ENTERTAINMENT

This limited edition, holiday-themed Bratz doll appeals to the collectors and general fans of the Bratz line.

-- The Yasmin doll comes with a host of accessories and clothing.
-- Ranked #19 on Amazon.com and #9 on MySimon.com top selling dolls lists.
-- According to Xtramsn.com, “. . .consumers and toy writers voted the Bratz Tokyo-A-Go-Go Dance ´N Skate Club an Ultimate Toy Award in the dolls and accessories category.”

Being a limited edition collector’s item, this Bratz doll is bound to make this a success through the holidays. Expect sales to decline later as true collectors have already made their purchases. 12/23/2004 (MSRP: $39.99; Age: 4 and Up)

Cabbage Patch Kids: Blonde Girl in Shiny Party Dress by CABBAGE PATCH KIDS

Cabbage Patch Kids are riding the nostalgia wave with this holiday edition.

-- Director of Corporate Communications, Margaret Strong says “We’re having a phenomenal year (with) Web site hits from just about every continent.”
-- It’s #16 on Kmart.com’s top sellers list and #8 on MySimon.com’s top selling doll list.
-- A Mommies Group member says, “My 14 months-old’s face lights up. . . there´s just something about the Cabbage Patch dolls.”

Expect this item to trend down as most responding parents in the Mommies Group expressed their love of the doll rather than their child’s and with interactivity taking over in other toy areas the Cabbage Patch Doll may be left behind. 12/23/2004 (MSRP: $29.99; Age: 3 and Up)

American Girl's Collection: Nellie by AMERICAN GIRL LLC

Nellie is a new addition to the American Girl family and comes with a paperback or hardcover book telling her story, and sells for $84.00 – $90.00.

-- The Today Show and MSNBC listed this particular doll as a good gift on November 30, 2004.
-- Nellie was awarded the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2005
-- USA Today featured this item on the front page of its Life section as a popular Christmas toy for 2004. 12/23/2004 (Age: 8 and Up)

Lila by COROLLE DOLLS

Soft-bodied Lila has sleeping eyes and four baby-like features to encourage interactive play: she giggles, coos, cries and sucks on her bottle. Lila is dressed in a pink sleeper and comes with matching cap and her own pacifier, feeding bottle, bib and soft "teddy".
-- Lila propels the concept of adapting toys to a child’s age by focusing on acting out real life situations for three year olds.
-- It was voted an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winner, 2005.
-- It was listed as a Best Bet by the Canadian Toy Testing Council, which is their highest rating. 12/23/2004 (MSRP: $59.99; Age: 3 and Up)

My First Madeline Ragdoll by RC2 BRANDS

My First Madeline Ragdoll by RC2 BRANDS

Madeline dolls are designed to grow with young girls, beginning with this classic rag doll and progressing to interactive posable dolls.

-- It was an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner 2005 in both toddler and preschool categories.
-- It was featured in seven books, home videos, live-action movie and television episodes on the Disney channel.
-- This doll encourages younger children to join the Madeline craze with a cuddly, soft character. 12/23/2004 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Love Me CHOU CHOU Function Doll by ZAPF CREATION (U.S.) INC.

This realistic doll is designed to challenge little ones by giving clues to her needs and not responding until they are met.

-- Recipient of Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys Children’s Products in 2004.
-- Won 2004 Industry Choice DOTY Award at the IDEX Show in Orlando and received the National Parenting’s “Seal of Approval.”
-- The doll is also available in ethnic versions to appeal to a wider audience.

This doll is expected to trend up as more award organizations and parent groups notice that its interactive features are cutting edge.

12/23/2004 (MSRP: $49.99; Age: 3 and Up)

American Girl's Collection: Bitty Baby by AMERICAN GIRL LLC

Following the popularity of American Girls, the Bitty Baby series appeals to an even younger age group. The dolls are $40.00 - $98.00.
-- Alternatives abound with three purchasing levels and skin tone options.
-- These toys won the 1996 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum award and came back again in 2005 with an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Award.
-- Listed as one of the top seven dolls for younger elementary kids by About.com. 12/23/2004 (Age: 3 and Up)

Barbie® as the Princess and the Pauper Erika™ Doll by MATTEL INC.

Erika is a must have for the child who loves Barbie’s “Princess and the Pauper” movie.

-- It’s #14 on Amazon.com and #3 on Amazon.com dolls top sellers.
-- “Princess and the Pauper” movie has already hit number one in video sales.
-- "As musicals continue to make their mainstream comeback, we felt it was a natural evolution for Barbie(tm) to reach for new, lyrical heights," said Russell Arons, vice president for Mattel.

As a companion piece to the “Princess and the Pauper” movie, Erika is destined to be as popular as Princess Annaliese. 12/23/2004 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 3 and Up)