All Dolled UpReaders review dolls that represent different races and ethnicities.
Precious Baby Dolls "Katya Irina"
Reviewer: Joyce, mom of Karina (7, Russia);
$69.99 (doll and book); preciousbabydolls.com
Says Joyce: "Katya is Karina's current favorite doll, because of her traditional Russian outfit. The book was beautiful and the story was very much on target. It led to a good discussion about her adoption story, which we hadn't had in a while."
Says Karina: "Katya is stylish and she reminds me of Russia."
Karito Kids "Ling"
Reviewer: Becky, mom of Susannah (8, China);
$99.99 (doll and book); karitokids.com
Says Becky: "Susannah, who has not wanted an Asian doll in the past, was excited about Ling. We discussed how Ling was from Shanghai, close to where Susannah was born. It was fun to have adoption come up so naturally. She loved the book about Ling, too."
Says Susannah: "She has hair just like me, and I like her funky boots."
Culture Club "Ines"
Reviewer: Mary Ann, mom of Danielle (3, Guatemala);
$12; nabear.com
Says Mary Ann: "Danielle has taken this darling doll with her everywhere--to bed each night, and in the car (she tucks Ines into her car seat and tells her she is safe now, so we can go). Ines has won her heart. I love the doll, too, and think it is a positive representation of a Latina girl."
Says Danielle: "I'm so happy to have Ines as my new friend."
American Girl "Just Like You"
Reviewer: Vickie, mom of Alexis (8, U.S.);
$95; americangirl.com
Says Vickie: "Alexis is pretty comfortable with her adoption, but I think having a popular, modern doll that looks like her makes it a little easier to be different from her friends. The doll does a good job of representing a multiracial child."
Says Alexis: "She is pretty and she is like a twin." (Alexis named her doll Lexi.)
Culture Club "Anu"
Reviewer: Kathy, mom of Ani and Nina (3 and 5; India);
$12; nabear.com
Says Kathy: "Both girls knew that Anu was an ‘India girl,' as they say, and they were thrilled. The doll is small--a perfect size for us. Anu is a cute version of an Indian girl, but that's fine for a preschool-age doll."
Says Nina: "I love her eyes and lips and beautiful clothes, but her skin is not brownish enough."
Vanange "Bella"
Reviewer: Helayne, mom of Erin (5, U.S.);
$98 (doll and book); vanange.com
Says Helayne: "Erin loves Bella and proudly showed her off to her kindergarten class. Erin has mentioned that Bella is a little bit darker than she is, but recognizes that they share a similar look. I think the doll is wonderful, and I am very pleased with the way she represents her ethnicity (Caucasian and African-American). Erin also enjoyed the book about Bella."
Says Erin: "She looks like me!"
Language Littles "Lizzie"
Reviewer: Tammi, mom of Nikole (2, U.S.);
$39.99 (doll and DVD); languagelittles.com
Says Tammi: "All of my girls were excited to meet Lizzie, but Nikole has taken over. The girls repeat what Lizzie says, whether in English or Spanish. Nikki gets her African-American baby doll and Lizzie together, and calls Lizzie 'light' and the African-American baby 'brown.' It is nice to see that she is already recognizing differences in color."
Says Nikole: "She talks! Love and hugs to Lizzie."
Magnolia and Friends "Magnolia"
Reviewer: Shanna, mom of Jasper and Jeremy (4 and 8; Philippines);
$26.50; mandysmoon.com
Says Shanna: "We're waiting for a match for a baby girl, so the boys thought of their sister when they saw the doll. We talked about where she was from and her red thread in her pocket. (Jasper was very interested in finding the pocket.) I love how soft she is, and the big smile on her face."
Says Jasper: "She can help us pretend to have a sister." Back To Home Page ©2013 Adoptive Families. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. |
