DollsLikeMe.com

Actor Taye Diggs Jumps Into Writing Children's Books with a Big Splash

2012-01-27T10:12:00.005-05:00

"The boy is teased for looking different than the other kids. His skin is darker, his hair curlier. He tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else. And she helps him to see how beautiful he really, truly is. For years before they both achieved acclaim in their respective professions, good friends Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans wanted to collaborate on Chocolate Me!!, a book based on experiences of feeling different and trying to fit in as kids. Now, both men are fathers and see more than ever the need for a picture book that encourages all people, especially kids, to love themselves." - MyBrownBaby.com

In this modern day culture, there are many pressures affecting children. Children are subjected to peer pressure that has a dramatic impact on their self-esteem. Parents of children of color often do not know the proper way to increase their child’s self-esteem and confidence. Parents in mixed race families have even more difficulty. Taye Diggs, famous father and author, has helped by offering positive messages of self-esteem for children of color in his new book , Chocolate Me! In Chocolate Me!, Mr. Diggs' heartwarming tale addresses the problems of self-esteem and confidence. His lifelong inspiration to answer and provide a new understanding to families with children of mixed heritage is commendable.

“Chocolate Me!,” by Mr. Diggs is a conglomerated project finding its origins in Mr. Diggs own lifestyle and upbringing -- he suffered from self-esteem issues as a child. Chocolate Me addresses the issues a child faces when he/she is different from everyone else and that difference provides opportunities for all parents to begin talking with their children about being different and/or not accepted for being different.

A child may ask, "Is there another Chocolate Me!?" or "Why doesn't anyone else look like me?" These questions are often asked in innocence, but these questions need answers to maintain a child’s self-esteem. Taye Diggs' Chocolate Me! is the perfect vehicle to help parents begin discussing self-esteem and confidence while promoting self-love and acceptance.

Chocolate Me! is now available at Dollslikeme.com. By offering a variety of books (like Chocolate Me!), dolls and toys that represent children of all colors and nationalities, Dolls Like Me provides the parents with the play tools necessary to help encourage children to embrace and accept their uniqueness and beauty.

Dolls Like Me President Denise Gary-Robinson contends, "Books and toys children can relate to have a silent (but positive) impact on self-esteem and self-acceptance." Further, she believes that a child who learns his or her value and through positive messages, in books, as well as through their environment and surroundings is a child that grows up to be a mentally healthy and happy child with self-confidence and a clear understanding of his or her value in our society. Chocolate Me is just such a book.

And Our Sensitive Parenting Award Goes to...

2011-12-30T08:22:00.006-05:00

Rory, Boo's Mom Who Writes an Open Letter to People Regarding Touching Chocolate Hair

Here's an excerpt: "While asking me about my daughter’s hair, please do not start touching it. Just because I am a vanilla parent this does not mean that you have an “in” to touch chocolate hair for the first time. I have had too many people tell me, “Oooh, I’ve always wondered what their hair felt like,” while pawing my daughter. She’s not an animal, she’s a human being.

We teach our children that strangers touching them in inappropriate ways is wrong and that they should tell an adult immediately. In our opinion, anytime a child is touched by anyone who feels that they have a right to do so, against the child’s wishes and without the child’s permission, is inappropriate.

You see, every chocolate/jam/cheetos handprint on her hair from other children and/or adults is a mark on her dignity. She is small, but she does have personal space and a sense of self-worth. When you invade that space without her permission you are telling her that she has no rights to her body; that her desire to be left untouched is not as important as your curiosity.

Even if your hands are clean, they still leave a an invisible mark."

We so agree. Rory, if you get wind of this eblast, please contact us at info@dollslikeme.com for a free copy of "When I Close My Eyes," by Ty Allan Jackson. We love it and Boo will too.

We found this open letter and lots more on interracial adoption, parenting and hair at the Chocolate Hair Vanilla Care blog. Great blog!!!

2011-07-24T11:19:00.003-04:00

We saw When I Close My Eyes at the 2011 Harlem Book Fair and were blown away by the warm and lyrical text. "When I close my eyes, there is so much to see. It opens up a whole new world to me. I have so much fun and oh how time flies.. to come from out of the clouds, I just open my eyes." The illustrations are fabulous. We love this book; you will too! Our only issue: As of this writing the book was not available in hard cover.

Author: Ty Allan Jackson; illustrator: Jonathan Shears. 32 pp. Ages: Birth-6. Softcover. Publisher: Big Head Books, 2011. MSRP: $8.95. Available now.

FREE Child Safety Video, Hurry Supplies Limited

2011-07-07T10:19:00.002-04:00

Protect your kids from Child Predators, get a FREE copy of the Safe from Harm DVD.

It happens every day. Literally: Each day, two thousand children go missing in this country. Some are runaways, but many are abducted.

What would your child do if he or she were approached by a child offender?

Working with an NBC affiliate, local law enforcement and the XEL-Defense Teams, the Safety Council went out to see how the average child would respond to such a threat. These were kids with parents who had taught them, time and time again, never to open the door or to leave with a stranger.

It was shocking to watch by hidden camera as these children, one by one, did the exact opposite of what they had been taught. Is there anything more we can do to protect our children from predators?

Yes, and through extensive research, we discovered a new way to help you teach your children. Instead of just telling these children what not to do, we practice with them exactly what they should do. The results were remarkable. Get this DVD to learn how.

Emmy Winning DVD.
Full-length, instructional program and no advertisements.
NO CHARGE ($3.98 shipping)
Only 10,000 copies so act fast

One of the very best ways to protect your children is to get this free DVD and then watch it with your family.

New Community for Moms of Color

2010-11-30T10:39:00.007-05:00

Found a great new community for moms of color: mommybrown.

I stopped by, browsed and decided to share. According to the founder, who is anonymous (as far as I could tell), "Mommybrown’s mission is to be the definitive source for moms with children of color (of all ages) to have a high quality place to connect and share stories for the benefit of themselves and their children."

This feature-rich community includes news, a member area, photos, groups, advice, videos, polls, forums, and journals. Membership is free.

After only 6 weeks, the community already has nearly 5,000 posts and more than 1400 members -- all moms looking to share and gain perspective on raising healthy, aware children of color. Kudos to the founder(s) of mommybrown.

2010-11-16T20:49:00.006-05:00

The "I Love Reading" One Million Words Reading Contest

This contest was inspired by our sixth grade book reviewer, Rahshemah, who devours children's novels like most kids eat french fries. She is currently reading about a million words every couple of months -- and absolutely loves science-fiction/fantasy/adventure novels.

CONTEST RULES

1. Every child is welcome to participate; however the contest was designed for children in grades 5-8.

2. Between September 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011 you must read 1 million words (up to 10 books totaling 1 million words), books already read during this time period may be included [FYI, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix contains approx 257,000 words.].

ThThe child's teacher must write a letter stating that the student is capable of reaching this goal.

4. You must submit a review (not a book report, but a review designed to help others determine whether to read this book) of the book or books read. Books must be read between September 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011.

5. Reviews must be between 100 and 300 words each. Each entry must be accompanied by a Parental Release Form (found at DollsLikeMe.com). All entries must be received NO LATER THAN April 15. 2011. Download the official contest brochure for a complete list of rules.

PRIZES

GRAND Prize (1 Awarded)
SONY Pocket eBook Reader
$75 US Savings Bond
$75 Dolls Like Me Gift Card
Reading Tote
Book Light
1 Million Word Certificate of Achievement

SECOND Prize (5 Awarded)
$25 US Savings Bond
$25 Dolls Like Me Gift Card
Reading Tote
Book Light
1 Million Word Certificate of Achievement

THIRD Prize (25 Awarded)
Reading Tote
$10 Dolls Like Me Gift Card
1 Million Word Certificate of Achievement

JUDGING

The review(s) will be judged by our Academic Committee (comprised of educators, staff and, of course, Rahshemah). Winners will be announced on our websites and via email on April 30, 2011. Winning book reviews will be published on our website along with winner's bio and photo.

Good luck and happy reading.

FREE Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Poster

2010-10-09T12:18:00.016-04:00

DollsLikeMe.com is offering free Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor posters throughout Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15). The 11"x17" wall posters are printed on glossy stock and shipped rolled.

"Justice Sotomayor's appointment lends a much-needed voice to the nation's highest court," said Dolls Like Me founder, Denise Gary Robinson. "Her outstanding academic and professional background demonstrate the benefits of hard work, determination and a solid education for young girls, especially young Latinas."

There is no purchase necessary to receive a free poster; however, there is a $3.75 per poster charge to cover the cost of the mailing tube, shipping and handling -- for posters ordered alone. There is NO additional fee if the poster is added to an order. There is a maximum of 5 posters per household, school or institution. Offer available while supplies last.

Additional Hispanic history products available at Dolls Like Me include the Sonia Sotomayor Biography Fun Book ($3.99), the Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Reader ($2.99), Hijas Americanas Image: Growing Up Latina in America ($11.99), and the Hispanic Heritage Coloring Book ($5.95).

Free Children's Eid Cards

2010-08-25T15:33:00.011-04:00

It's that time of year again and in celebration of Ramadan (August 11 - September 10) and the forthcoming Eid al-Fitr we are once again offering FREE children's Eid cards with purchase (through September 10, upon request). Make any purchase of $10 or more and receive a FREE children's Eid card upon request -- just write "free Eid card" in the comment section of the order form and one will shipped with your order. Just need a card? Purchase one or more for $1.75 each at Dolls Like Me. Of course, we also have thousands of gifts for children of color -- to go along with that great card -- including Amirah and a complete wardrobe for $84.95

Ramadan Mubarak
The Dolls Like Me Family

Kids, Race & Parenting: Children and Self-Esteem

2010-08-25T10:27:00.010-04:00

This CNN series brings to mind a recent conversation I had with an irate parent who has since unsubscribed to our mailings and (if true to her word) has encouraged her friends to unsubscribe as well. A few weeks ago, Insider News quoted a long-time customer who identifies herself as the proud adoptive mother of two beautiful Black girls. Our ex-customer insisted that no White mother would ever call her children adopted or Black. She was insulted and enraged.

On the other hand, the customer shared with us how she proudly tells her girls that they are Black and beautiful on a regular basis. She feels that it is obvious to everyone, including them, that they are adopted, saying, "So why pretend... I tell them how lucky I am that God allowed me to bring them into my home and my heart." She told us that she is teaching them to celebrate their beauty by:

~Decorating their room with African and African American princesses,
~Refusing to have ANY catalogs or magazines that do not include a "significant" number of models reflecting women of color,
~Refusing to take her children to see movies that do not include them ("It breaks my heart to see children of color looking longingly at a screen full of children who none of them resemble, it's as if they have not been invited to the party"),
~Refusing to shop where the sales staff is not multicultural,
~Living in an area where her children can attend a school where there are other children with whom they can identify,
~Insisting that family members send cards and gifts that reflect her children ("At first my parents tried to pretend they were two little White girls, I gently put a stop to that nonsense early on."), and
~Telling them how fortunate they are to have such beautiful Black skin. (How God loved us so much that he made us all beautiful in our own way. That God revels in our individual beauty and we should never, ever be ashamed of how God made us.)

Kudos to this mother, who told us "I cannot change how the world sees my children but I don't have to support it. And I certainly have total control of what goes on inside these walls as well as what they see and do." We wholeheartedly agree.

Take a look at these three videos and we're sure you will agree that building self-esteem in children of color is a full-time job that starts at birth.

Black Girl Calls Skin Color Nasty

Biracial Boy Wishes he Were White

Kids, Race and Parenting

What, No More Asian Play Dolls?

2010-05-25T10:51:00.008-04:00

Well, it's a sad state of affairs over at Middleton Doll since the Madame Alexander takeover. Shipments have been pushed back, entire doll lines have been discontinued and the new Dealer Order Form for the holidays DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY ASIAN PLAY DOLLS.

That's right, the current holiday order form does not have one Asian play doll. In fact there are precious few dolls of color, period. The only play dolls of color available for the holiday are Savannah, Hailey and Bailey (all available in Black and Latina) and Keydon (only available in Black). That's it!!

We do have a few Middleton Asian play dolls in stock (left over from last year), so if you are interested, now is the time to purchase as they won't be coming back.

In addition, the new Middleton NOW dolls DO NOT INCLUDE ANY DOLLS OF COLOR. Middleton NOW dolls are the larger, higher end play dolls. For the past couple of years they have included Chillin', Tiny Cheer, Butterfly Dreamer, Cami (shown left), and others. This year, there will be none.adame Alexander has a poor track record of producing quality play dolls of color. Looks like they are hoping to craft a new Middleton Doll in their own image.

It may be time for some letter writing. The addresses are below, not that you asked.

Jane Abrahams, Marketing Director
Gale Jarvis (Ms.), President

Madame Alexander, 615 West 131st St., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10027, Phone: 212-283-5900

Make sure your CC the president, if you choose to write to the marketing director.

69% of US Elementary Children who Study a Foreign Language Study Spanish

2010-05-17T08:09:00.011-04:00

That's right! French is a distant second, capturing 18% of the elementary students who study a foreign language.

We found an exciting line of Spanish edutainment products (for ages 3-8) that will help keep your child on track through the summer months while providing hours of fun.

Los niños might not even realize they're learning.

The line includes the Smart Projector (shown left), Alphabet Cards (on a flip handle -- perfect for travel and road trips), Crossword Blocks (a large block crossword puzzle/game), Spellable (a bilingual puzzle card game that teaches the alphabet and three letter words), and an Animal Puzzle (to help the little ones learn the names of animals and objects in English and Spanish).

The line is fun, durable, safe and affordable -- with three of our products under $8. The electronic Smart Projector is $24.95.

Ingenio is the first bilingual educational toys and games brand in the USA. Their toys and games foster bilingual learning at an early age through hands-on learning techniques -- we love them.

Before You Grab That Bottle of Baby Lotion

2010-05-03T13:19:00.006-04:00

Did you know that many of the chemicals in skin care products, when applied to the skin, can be absorbed directly into the blood stream? This can be more dangerous than if the products were actually eaten because chemicals ingested through the skin do not get filtered by your liver or digestive system!

Children are at even greater risk of suffering the consequences of exposure to dangerous chemicals, because their skin is 30% thinner than adults (on average) and can absorb greater amounts of chemicals from the skin surface. They breathe in more air (and air contaminants) relative to their weight than adults, and the blood-brain barrier that helps block chemicals from penetrating brain tissue is not fully formed until a baby reaches 6 months of age. In a 2007 study, the Environmental Working Group (EEWG) found that, "Every day children are exposed to an average of 27 personal care product ingredients that have not been found safe for kids. ... and overall, 77% of the ingredients in 1,700 children's products reviewed have not been assessed for safety."

In fact, 54% of children's products marked as safe and non-toxic contain one or more of 20 top ingredients of concern in children's products, including chemicals linked to allergies, nervous system problems, cancer, reproductive risks, and hormone disruption.

In 2007, EWG surveyed more than 3,300 parents to find out what shampoos, lotions, bath soaps and other personal care products their children use. The results were used to help EWG produce a Parent's Buying Guide to help parents navigate around bogus claims and find safer products with fewer ingredients linked to allergies, cancer, and other concerns for children.

We have prepared a handy, pocket HealthySkin^™ Shopping Guide to help you choose safe personal care products for your children. The packet guide is available FREE to Insider Subscribers. Subscribers should send a SASE to:

Dolls Like Me
HealthySkin Shopping Guide
6B Caldwell Ave
Summit, NJ 07901

Not an Insider subscriber? Subscribe today at dollslikeme.com. You will be automatically entered into our monthly giveaway sweepstakes. Winners are announced in our Insider News Bulletins.

Allow 4 weeks for delivery.

Source: Environmental Working Group.

Princess Tiana Costume SOLD OUT

2009-09-22T08:49:00.005-04:00

The Princess Tiana costume from Disney's forthcoming The Princess and the Frog movie promises to be the hottest costume for Halloween this year. However, the better costume by Disguise (not to be confused with the cheap knock-off selling for $10 - $15) is sold out at the manufacturer and at DollsLikeMe.com. So, if you see it and you want it, better grab it quick. You will probably be able to find it at better costume stores in your community.

BTW, the costume is also a great idea for Princess Tiana birthday parties. Imagine your little princess all done up on her special day!!!

We'll have more soon. Most likely not in time for Halloween, though.

In other The Princess and the Frog news, we'll start shipping our Deluxe Party Packs on October 7. The shipping department is already overbooked for October 7 -8 - 9. So new orders for the Deluxe Party Pack won't ship until at least October 10. The $10 Instant Rebate for pre-orders of the Deluxe Party Packs ends September 30. So hurry. On October 1, the price goes back up to $94.95.

2009-09-02T17:21:00.022-04:00

I'm Back! Muslim Doll, Amirah, Back by Popular Demand

Back by popular demand and just in time to celebrate Ramadan and forthcoming Eid al-Fitr is our Amirah Doll and Accessories set. This modestly dressed doll, who wears a traditional “hijab” (headpiece), is the latest in the Dolls Like Me family of products featuring children of color.

DLM president, Denise Gary Robinson has spent the last five years providing self-esteem-building, relevant toys that feature or include children of different colors and cultures. We're excited that our doll family now includes a package for Muslim girls.

The Amirah Doll and Accessories include an 18” Springfield doll (with rooted hair) who arrives in a travel case. Amirah is dressed in a hijab custom created for Dolls Like Me by Hijabi, floor-length denim skirt, long-sleeve white top, underpants, socks and dress shoes. Her accessories include a bathrobe and slipper set; a doll hair brush; pajamas; an additional top, panty and sock set; and an Eid gift card. Amirah can also wear clothing designed for American Girl™ and other 18” dress-up dolls sold at Dolls Like Me.

Amirah, who is available in four skin tones: tan, medium brown, dark brown and white, promises to provide hours of wholesome, classic fun for girls ages 3 - 10. The Amirah and Accessories package is currently on sale for $79.95 (Reg. $84.95), while supplies last. Dolls Like Me is also introducing children's Eid al-Fitr cards this year. The cards, available in the three styles below, are $1.59 each.

Special Note: Dolls Like Me would like to extend best wishes for a happy, peaceful Ramadan to our entire family of Muslim friends and customers... Ramadan Mubarak.

The Dolls Like Me Family

Wow! New Multicultural OrigiNolls Promise to add Style and Grace to any Space

2009-08-20T17:32:00.018-04:00

The manufacturer brought these fresh, funky cuties to our attention and we could not wait to tell you about them. Today we’re introducing OrigiNolls™ -- a unique global village of multi-ethnic, fashion theme resin dolls. The series of twelve 8-inch collection dolls are beautifully handcrafted, combining culture and fashion. Their solid, quality construction and fresh, funky wardrobes are a reflection of today's realities.

Available online, exclusively at Dollslikeme.com, these cute character dolls are composed of phthalate-free solid resin, with a look and style that every young woman (as well as the young at heart) can relate to.

Lynette Opoku, designer and brainchild behind OrigiNolls says, “Clearly there is not one kind of girl in the world, the OrigiNolls reflect just that.” OrigiNolls are sure to be one of the hottest collectible trends this fall, with an educational element and Website that helps build self-esteem by teaching young women to appreciate themselves and others, while encouraging them to dream, grow, aspire and imagine beyond their dreams. Lena and Miika are our favorites. You'll have to check them out online to decide which ones are your favorites.

These cute collection figures are priced for every collector and budget -- $14.95 each or $159 for a complete set of 12. All twelve OrigiNolls are available for pre-order at DollsLikeMe.com and will start shipping October 1, 2009.

Shown from left to right are Miika from the Caribbean, Gianna from South America and Lena from India. The collection also includes nine additional dolls representing other major regions of the world, including Japan, China, America, Spain, Africa and Europe. For more information or to pre-order the OrigiNolls collection, visit dollslikeme.com.

Win Spanish Bingo, Flashcards & "Spanish for Kids" Language Set

2009-08-17T00:39:00.007-04:00

Subscribe to the Dolls Like Me Insider News for a chance to win one of three Spanish language sets valued at $33.95 each. Each giveaway set includes eeBoo’s award-winning Spanish Bingo and Flashcards along with Gallopade’s Spanish for Kids. Parents looking to introduce Spanish to children at home or who are looking for fun, meaningful ways to support in-school Spanish instruction, need look no further than the bilingual products at Dolls Like Me. We understand how important edutainment activities are for today’s busy families and our Spanish language products are just the thing to help jumpstart your child’s language learning. Hurry, contest ends midnight EST, September 15, 2009.

Coming Soon to Party Near You... The Princess and the Frog Partyware Featuring Disney's First Black Princess, Tiana

2009-07-18T10:37:00.021-04:00

We're hyped about Disney's upcoming movie. We think an African American princess is way overdue (BTW, so is a Latina one!). We're thrilled that little girls will be able to envision themselves as Princess Tiana this fall as they sample cake, cookies and petits fours served on THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG party ware. (Take a sneak peek at the new The Princess and the Frog line, featuring Princess Tiana HERE).

We've ordered the complete range of The Princess and the Frog party ware, including goody bags, party favors, invitations, plates, cups, napkins, candles, streamers, blowouts and much more - sold individually, or as a money-saving party pack. Super-affordable, the individual items range in price from $1.99 - $5.99. A pack of eight 9" party plates (shown) is $3.79. (Take a sneak peek HERE.)

Also coming to Dolls Like Me this fall are Princess Tiana dress-up costumes and a complete line of The Princess and the Frog books.

Why not try one of our complete party packs that have all of the party supplies you will need for your child's party and much more?

Our range of multicultural boys and girls party themed packages is growing rapidly, and includes Uzuri's TREY, PENNY & PEPPER and PRINCESS AMIRA along with Nickelodeon’s GO DIEGO, GO and the upcoming NI HAO KAI-LAN.

Dolls Like Me is an online specialty toy store featuring a full line of better multicultural toys, books, baby gifts and party supplies. Join our mailing list for new product announcements and private "Insider ONLY" sales here.

Earth-Friendly, Bamboo-filled Multicultural Bye Bye Baby Bunting Infant Dolls

2009-06-04T14:58:00.004-04:00

Babies love to touch. They love to see, feel and taste – it helps them feel secure (although nothing beats mommy). These multicultural, earth-friendly, Bye Bye Baby Bunting infant dolls are warm, cuddly and safe. Made in the USA by Imogen’s Garden, these sweet babies are composed of 100% cotton chenille and wool felt, and stuffed with naturally antibacterial bamboo*. They have safety eyes and a hand embroidered smile -- the perfect playmate for your wee-est ones (we do still highly recommend adult supervision for play dates). Did we mention they are hand-washable? Each doll is handmade from start to finish by the artist, so slight variations will occur making your doll uniquely yours. Bye Bye Baby Bunting is available as a boy or a girl, and in Asian, Black or Latino skin tones. Cost: $18.50 at dollslikeme.com.

*The bamboo story begins with its naturally antibacterial property, which is retained by the ultra-soft finished fibers. As the fastest growing plant on earth with the ability to absorb 2/3 more carbon dioxide and release 2/3 more oxygen than any other plant, bamboo is the clear leader among plant species for positive environmental impact. Bamboo is processed into luxurious fiber using pollution-free methods with little waste. It is truly a green product that lives up to and beyond expectations.

Events

2009-04-20T19:42:00.002-04:00

Come join us at

Sneak Peeks

2009-04-20T19:41:00.002-04:00

Wow! New Multicultural OrigiNolls Promise to add Style and Grace to any Space
The manufacturer brought these fresh, funky cuties to our attention and we could not wait to tell you about them. Today we’re introducing OrigiNolls™ -- a unique global village of multi-ethnic, fashion theme resin dolls. The series of twelve 8-inch collection dolls are beautifully handcrafted, combining culture and fashion. Their solid, quality construction and fresh, funky wardrobes are a reflection of today's realities.
Available online, exclusively at Dollslikeme.com, these cute character dolls are composed of phthalate-free solid resin, with a look and style that every young woman (as well as the young at heart) can relate to.
Lynette Opoku, designer and brainchild behind OrigiNolls says, “Clearly there is not one kind of girl in the world, the OrigiNolls reflect just that.” OrigiNolls are sure to be one of the hottest collectible trends this fall, with an educational element and Website that helps build self-esteem by teaching young women to appreciate themselves and others, while encouraging them to dream, grow, aspire and imagine beyond their dreams. Lena and Miika are our favorites. You'll have to check them out online to decide which ones are your favorites.
These cute collection figures are priced for every collector and budget -- $14.95 each or $159 for a complete set of 12. All twelve OrigiNolls are available for pre-order at DollsLikeMe.com and will start shipping October 1, 2009.Shown from left to right are Miika from the Caribbean, Gianna from South America and Lena from India. The collection also includes nine additional dolls representing other major regions of the world, including Japan, China, America, Spain, Africa and Europe. For more information or to pre-order the OrigiNolls collection, visit dollslikeme.com.

Coming Soon to Party Near You... The Princess and the Frog Partyware Featuring Disney's First Black Princess, Tiana

We're hyped about Disney's upcoming movie. We think an African American princess is way overdue (BTW, so is a Latina one!). We're thrilled that little girls will be able to envision themselves as Princess Tiana this fall as they sample cake, cookies and petits fours served on THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG party ware. (Take a sneak peek at the new The Princess and the Frog line, featuring Princess Tiana HERE).We've ordered the complete range of The Princess and the Frog party ware, including goody bags, party favors, invitations, plates, cups, napkins, candles, streamers, blowouts and much more - sold individually, or as a money-saving party pack. Super-affordable, the individual items range in price from $1.99 - $5.99. A pack of eight 9" party plates (shown) is $3.79. (Take a sneak peek HERE.)Also coming to Dolls Like Me this fall are Princess Tiana dress-up costumes and a complete line of The Princess and the Frog books.

Why not try one of our complete party packs that have all of the party supplies you will need for your child's party and much more?

Our range of multicultural boys and girls party themed packages is growing rapidly, and includes Uzuri's TREY, PENNY & PEPPER and PRINCESS AMIRA along with Nickelodeon’s GO DIEGO, GO and the upcoming NI HAO KAI-LAN.

Dolls Like Me is an online specialty toy store featuring a full line of better multicultural toys, books, baby gifts and party supplies. Join our mailing list for new product announcements and private "Insider ONLY" sales here.

Earth-Friendly, Bamboo-filled Multicultural Bye Bye Baby Bunting Infant Dolls

Babies love to touch. They love to see, feel and taste – it helps them feel secure (although nothing beats mommy). These multicultural, earth-friendly, Bye Bye Baby Bunting infant dolls are warm, cuddly and safe. Made in the USA by Imogen’s Garden, these sweet babies are composed of 100% cotton chenille and wool felt, and stuffed with naturally antibacterial bamboo*. They have safety eyes and a hand embroidered smile -- the perfect playmate for your wee-est ones (we do still highly recommend adult supervision for play dates). Did we mention they are hand-washable? Each doll is handmade from start to finish by the artist, so slight variations will occur making your doll uniquely yours. Bye Bye Baby Bunting is available as a boy or a girl, and in Asian, Black or Latino skin tones. Cost: $18.50 at dollslikeme.com.*The bamboo story begins with its naturally antibacterial property, which is retained by the ultra-soft finished fibers. As the fastest growing plant on earth with the ability to absorb 2/3 more carbon dioxide and release 2/3 more oxygen than any other plant, bamboo is the clear leader among plant species for positive environmental impact. Bamboo is processed into luxurious fiber using pollution-free methods with little waste. It is truly a green product that lives up to and beyond expectations.

About Us

2009-04-20T19:40:00.001-04:00

This Blog...

Those Two Dolls Named Sasha and Malia

2009-01-26T21:26:00.005-05:00

Malia and Sasha walk out onto the inauguration platform in J. Crew clothing and soon thereafter the Web site crashes; after his inaugural speech, President Obama bends over to Sasha looking for approval and she gives him the thumbs-up – a picture that can now be juxtaposed to that of little Caroline Kennedy’s; at the pre-inaugural concert on the mall, President-elect Obama concludes his remarks and walks back to his sitting family where he asks Malia “How did I do?” “Good!” she responds with certainty and a bright smile. All of these moments and many more represent unforgettable and iconic positive images.

The Obama Family is America’s new First Family. They represent a new image of the Black family that is now being seared into the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world; images that speak to the demonstrative love of a Black man for his wife and for his daughters and ultimately, their love for him. These are images that are counteractive to the ones that we as a nation are accustomed to digesting and accepting as our collective reality. These images give us a very different view of Black men, Black women and Black children.

Without doubt, the Obamas have become American icons. And with iconoclasm comes love, adulation and yes, in some cases, exploitation. DollsLikeMe.com is not exploitative.

With the exception of the Huxtables who helped to change the negative perception of the Black family, Black people have never enjoyed this kind of imagery; however, the Huxtables impact in no way equals that of the first African American First Family. To many African Americans, the Obama family is the same family that they grew up in. For others, they represent something that they never knew existed.

We at DollsLikeMe fully understand the importance of imagery and images – especially to the psyche of Black children. We also understand that for far too long Black children and children of color have not had enough tangible images that encourage and sustain self-esteem and self-love. This is why we support any positive images of these little girls.

In the 1940’s, noted psychologists Kenneth Clark and Mamie Phipps Clark were challenged with a salient fact: Black children felt inferior to their white counterparts. For the Clarks, finding ways to instill racial pride in these children became paramount, but first they needed to conduct a study that would support their premise that the psychological effects of racism and segregation negatively impacts on black children, their self-esteem and how they viewed the world from the vantage point of an inferior status.

To do this they used Black and White dolls and asked Black children to choose between the good and pretty dolls. A majority of the choices were always for the White dolls. The outcome of their 1950 study would become the basis for psychologists and social scientists to study the impact of racism and segregation on Black children for decades to come. Their findings would also play a pivotal role in the Brown vs. Board of Education’s Supreme Court’s legal ruling.

The Clark’s findings were as profound as they were prescient. Much has happened in the world since that time – the end of Jim Crow, the explosion of the Civil Rights Movement, the Voting Rights Act of 1964 and of course, the second wave of the Women’s Movement. And throughout all of these historic events, institutionalized racism has waged on and its tentacles have loomed unflinchingly in the shadows of America’s halls of justice, in our educational systems, in our social arenas, and in our doll choices.

For decades doll manufacturers have tended to produce mostly scantily-clad dolls, most often with long wavy hair, as their main line of dolls for young Black girls. Very few of these dolls have ever represented the beauty, brilliance and positivity of Black girls. And never has there been any doll that has been named for a real living Black girl who was a contemporary icon.

The CEO and Founder of DollsLikeMe is abundantly aware of the systemic impact of racism on generation after generation of Black children. For her, Shirley Temple and Caroline Kennedy were the iconic dolls when she was growing up in the 50’s and 60’s; dolls that time and time again, told her that her skin, her color and her race was inferior to others and that she did not matter.

DollsLikeMe was created to address this anomaly. It is a company that has consistently met the needs of parents of Black and Latino children as well as a growing number of parents that do not share the biology or nationality of their adoptive children, but are intuitive and savvy enough to understand that their daughters and sons require strong self-images that are crucial to their overall well-being.

DollsLikeMe, in addition to receiving an overwhelming positive response from parents wanting to purchase the Sasha and Malia dolls, has also received an extremely vitriolic and unwarranted backlash for deciding to carry the dolls in our store.

We are proud to say that we stand by our decision to sell the Ty Company’s dolls named Sasha and Malia. Not because it’s a good business decision that fits squarely into our mission, but because like Obama’s presidency, naming modestly dressed dolls after two sweet young Black girls, will have a psychological affect that is bigger than all of us. Our world now sits on the precipice of change. We are presently living in a time that we can now see the possibility that little Black girls are just as important as little White girls, and that they too can and deserve to be held in adulation, admiration and more importantly as 21st Century icons.

Unique Gift Idea #1: Growth Charts w/ Black and Hispanic Kids

2008-10-19T21:11:00.015-04:00

Parents of children of color regularly span the shelves of baby gift shops looking for culturally releva nt gift s. I know this because I get several email messages a day asking if I have seen this item or that. These messages keep me on the lookout. Now wherever I go, I visit craft fairs and artist hangouts looking for unique and interesting items featuring children of color. I was on such a mission at the NYC Gift Fair when I met KiaNicole, a wonderful young artist. We had a lengthy chat about the meager assortment of quality room decor products featuring children of color. I specifically mentioned the need for high-quality growth charts. I am excited to report that Kia listened; they are here, and they are absolutely gorgeous.

This series of four high-quality wall charts make a perfect gift from a doting aunt or grandparent. They are bright, colorful, and sure to add just the right touch to any bedroom. Printed on high-quality vinyl (not paper or cardboard like most) with a coordinating grosgrain ribbon that hangs from two grommets, they are priced right in the same range as other high-quality, designer-inspired growth charts - $49. Two girl designs and two boy designs are available. Take a look, we think you will agree that at least one should be in every self-respecting nursery. This heirloom-quality gift can surely follow your little one until he or she has children of their own.

Win a Free Friends Forever Girls 19" Reina Doll (MSRP: $89)

2008-10-16T22:26:00.009-04:00

Subscribe to the DollsLikeMe.com Insiders and be automatically entered into a sweepstakes to win a Friends Forever Girls 19” Reina doll and companion book, The First Day of Forever. The Reina Doll Sweepstakes is DollsLikeMe.com’s first in a series of toy giveaways. No purchase necessary to win. However, winners must subscribe to DollsLikeMe.com Insiders to be eligible.

One winner will win the prize. Random drawing will take place on November 19, 2008 from all eligible entries received, and the winner will be notified by November 22, 2008 via the email address supplied during entry. Judges decisions are final.

Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada who are 18 years or older with Internet access at time of entry. Only entrants logging onto the Internet from within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia or Canada are eligible to enter the Sweepstakes.

To enter, simply subscribe to DollsLikeMe.com Insiders by sending an email including your full name to: sweepstakes@dollslikeme.com. That's it. You are entered. You will receive an instant reply confirming your entry. Complete rules are available at http://www.dollslikeme.com/contest.html.

Top 25 Hispanic Dolls for Christmas 2008

2008-10-07T12:46:00.029-04:00

This year, we thought it would be helpful if we published a series of holiday guides featuring multicultural toys. The Top 25 Hispanic Dolls List (in the right column) is the first Guide and our attempt to respond to the hundreds of questions about Latina dolls we we received last year.

The list ranks dolls by a formula we created, which rates parent response, play value, cultural and ethnic representation, and quality. The four ratings are averaged and listed in order from highest to lowest. The full list is available at http://www.dollslikeme.com/ as a downloadable pdf. Lists featuring Black and Asian dolls, multicultural games and puzzles, and multicultural baby gifts will be published in the next few weeks.

Number one on this year's Top 25 Latina Dolls list is Reina (shown above in the Sweepstakes article) from Forever Friends Girls. 18" Reina arrives with a book bag, poncho and hardcover book, The First Day of Forever, which features Reina and her new friends. The Forever Friends Girls dolls were named as one of Dr. Toy’s “Best Children’s Products for 2008” and our favorite 18" -21" dress up dolls. The number 2 doll on our Top 25 is Rosa (shown). Rosa is a new 13" collectible fashion doll from Mixis.

The Age of Innocence Must be Protected

2007-12-10T02:52:00.000-05:00

Recently I took my granddaughter to see Enchanted, a wonderful and very cute fantasy kiddie movie. The movie theater was one of those mega theaters with at least sixteen movie options - which makes it a favorite amongst my movie-going friends; however, it tends not to be one of my "favorites" simply because there are so many children and young people hanging out at the huge arcade area that is located at one of the entrances.

This salient fact was not wasted on me during my last visit to the theater with my granddaughter. It was then that I realized that for the very same reason I didn't particularly care for the theater, there exists an entire sub-group of nefarious individuals (who represent a culture of predators) who take a particular delight in being in environments that are populated with young children - these people are known to us as pedophiles.

As soon as my granddaughter and I entered the theater, there sitting alone in the first seat was a man who looked to be in his late thirty's. Being more observant than paranoid, I noticed how an uneasy smile slowly plastered across his face as we passed by him to find a seat. Initially I thought it odd that he was there alone and dismissed his attendance with the thought that he was more than likely waiting for his own children to return from purchasing snacks. Or maybe he was just sitting in a different location to allow his kids some breathing space. This wasn't the case, no children ever materialized - he was there alone.

Soon the movie trailers began. My granddaughter leaned over to me to innocently ask, "Shouldn't the lights go down?" I hope not, I thought to myself; better up than down. At that point yet another lone man walked into the theater and sat several seats over from my granddaughter and myself. Okay, believe it or not, I do not suffer from fits of paranoia. I just find it very disconcerting and not at all too coincidental to see two lone men sitting in a kiddie movie. "What grown man comes into a movie theater to see a very "Disney-type" movie - especially when there are at least twelve other adult films being shown? This is my thinking. Need I say more?

It finally dawned on me. What better place for a pedophile to hang out than at a movie that appeals to children, little girls in particular? This very sobering realization caused me to start preaching to my eight year old granddaughter (in whispers) what she must do if she ever feels threatened by a stranger:

Immediately shout in a loud voice, "I don't know you, you're not my dad/mom!"
Scream at the top of your lungs and fight back if he/she touches you.
Try to identify an adult that you can go to for help.
And never believe anything that they may tell you about your family, e.g., "Your mom told me to pick you up," or "I'm going to hurt your mother if you don't come with me."

After this unsolicited tirade, my somewhat confused grandchild looked at me as if I had been struck by lightening - and I had. Pedophiles have all kinds of tricks in their bag and it is up to us to keep our children safe at all times. Pedophiles unfortunately look just like you and I. There is no clear way to discern who they are. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. However without becoming paranoid vigilantes we can pay closer attention to our environs and those where we place our children. It is important that we inculcate into our children these very important daily reminders, for I would rather be paranoid than very sorry. Anytime you find a man sitting alone in a kiddie movie, you can more than likely rest assured that he is not there for the aesthetic content of the film; he's either prospecting or just fulfilling his/her desire to be near younger children.

Our job as parents and grandparents is to protect our children's age of innocence even though the mere fact of having to inform them of this human aberration somehow in itself diminishes their innocence. We have to stand vigilant in our efforts to let these very sick people know that we are closely watching them and are determined that our children will remain uninitiated into a world of abuse and confusion at the hands of those whom, if they actually do know the difference between right and wrong and good and evil, have no control over not hurting the most innocent of those amongst us.

DollsLikeMe.com encourages us all to be very mindful and observant - wherever we take our children - especially in the most innocuous environments like the movies!

New Native American Doll

2007-12-08T12:16:00.000-05:00

Finally she's here! After searching for many, many months (throughout the toy industry) we've found the Native American doll that you've been waiting for.

Cathy, from Corolle, is the newest addition to the DollsLikeMe.com family. Standing 13" tall with long jet black straight hair, a warm skin tone and indigenous features, she more closely resembles the Native American people than any other doll currently on the market.

Not only is Cathy a perfect gift for young Native American girls -- as she represents the culture of the first indigenous Americans -- she is also the perfect gift for all young girls. Cathy is a wonderful choice to be added to a young girl's doll collection by parents who are highly aware and sensitive to the importance of teaching tolerance, understanding and acceptance to their young daughters.

Cathy, along with all of the DollsLikeMe.com family of toys, represents another opportunity for parents to expand their daughter's cultural quotient, while teaching that beauty comes in a myriad of colors and various shapes, sizes and nationalities. You're going to love adding Cathy to your child's collection.

You Asked and We Found...Greeting Cards Featuring Asian Children

2007-09-28T07:59:00.001-04:00

You asked us to find quality adoption and birthday greeting cards featuring Asian children. Well, we found them...and they are gorgeous! These full-color greeting cards are printed on beautiful, heavyweight stock and are as appropriate for keeping (we had them mounted and framed for our office) as they are for giving. When we saw them, we were reminded of the story on our Transracial Adoption Resources page, where the adopted girl got upset when she saw the cards that were sent when she arrived, asking "Was I supposed to have been white?" Sometimes even the most innocent and well-meaning actions have an impact on a child's self-esteem, and we never really know until it's too late. We added 13 new cards from the Great ExpectAsians line, including this adorable Rice Baby new arrival card. They are stunning and culturally sensitive. Stop by and take a look at the new baby, birthday, thank you, holiday and blank greeting cards.

Join Our "Positive Self-Esteem" Parenting Seminar & Multicultural Family Cruise

2007-09-03T12:09:00.000-04:00

We're often asked to develop more resources on positive self-esteem parenting as it relates to children of color. The whole issue of children wishing they could be White so they could beautiful is heartbreaking. We have consulted several experts on the topic and most agree that poor self-esteem probably begins to develop roots as early as 2 - 3 years - when children start noticing images of people around them, on television, in the movies, in toys, and in books.

Parents often convince themselves that the images surrounding very young children are not "all that important," only to discover later (when their Asian, Black or Biracial child starts longing to look White, or have straight hair, or begins to shun dolls and toys that look like them) that it really is "all that important."

In an effort to help address some of these issues, and to arm parents with the resources and information needed to develop strong, self-confident children, we have developed a Multicultural Family Cruise featuring a Positive Self-Esteem Parenting Seminar. July 6 - 12, 2008 multicultural families from all over North America will join us for six nights of fun, games, contests, prizes and free parenting workshops - all designed with your family in mind. We'll cruise from New York Harbor to the Bahamas and Florida onboard the Norwegian Cruise Line's ship Spirit - selected for its family friendly freestyle cruising environment. For more information, or to register, visit our Website at http://www.multiculturalfamilycruise.com/ or call 888-711-3046.

It's Been A While

2006-06-13T18:21:00.000-04:00

We have been traveling, ordering new products, going to toy and gift shows, and generally promoting DollsLikeMe.com nationwide. But we're back... in full force. Our little online shop is growing by leaps and bounds and I intend to just touch on a few new and upcoming products, promotions, and ideas (many from you). We've added an entire new boys section (the toys are great for girls too) featuring the Mighty World series of Asian, Black and Latino figures and their accessories. We've stocked the fireman, computer expert, K-9 policeman, foreman, and an interracial couple out on the town. Check them out - they're really, really cute, affordable, and designed for boys 3 - 10. We have added a "Going, Going, Gone" section featuring manufacturer discontinued toys. These are in stock in the numbers listed and once they're gone, they're gone. I suggest visiting the section often. One doll sold completely out in a couple of days after being listed.

We have receive 35 email messages requesting Southeast Asian and 107 requests for Islamic "dress up" dolls. We're happy to announce that we are developing our own off-the-shelf Islamic doll and are frantically scouring the planet for a Southeast Asian doll that we can offer. Bear with us. Both are priorities for DollsLikeMe.com After all, it was your input that started us on a mission to locate toys for boys and developing a baby gift section. We hear you and thanks for the input. The Lee Middleton play dolls are in and a couple of them sold out shortly after we stocked them. Lee Middleton is arguably one of the better dollmakers in the US - they certainly have a solid reputation for quality. The dolls are really cute too! Many new books on adoption and a few related to biracial children are en route. Check the book section regularly for new titles. On the subject of new, we have added a "What's New" section, at the request one of our regular customers. She thought we should have a way for regular site visitors to see the new stock without going through the entire site - which now has more than 300 items. Kudos to she who shall remain anonymous. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, please respond via this blog or write to us at info@dollslikeme.com

Until later.
Denise

Check Out Barbara, Our Newest Family Member

2006-04-23T08:49:00.000-04:00

While strolling through the mall last weekend, I saw the most adorable little copperheaded girl dragging the cutest doll behind her. What caught my attention was her Mom telling her that "Barbara might get hurt or dirty if you keep letting her feet drag on the floor. Would you like me to carry her in my bag?" I didn't hear the little girl's response, but when I turned to see who Barbara was, I was immediately smitten. As I say on her new catalog page, you will be too. Barbara is huge (well over 22" tall), soft, very plush, and infinately lovable. Barbara is an import who has just arrived at our warehouse. She is washable, comes in a much smaller version (for newborn - 36 months), is also available in plastic with a "pull-back" activity scooter, and has an equally adorable partner, "Michael."

DollsLikeMe.com News & Updates

2006-04-17T15:07:00.000-04:00

It's been a while, but I have spent the time away productively. I have found several new products and more are coming. There's a line of Latino greeting cards for child ren in Spanish; a new line of baby announcements and shower invitations; a really cute dress-up doll with more than 150 ac cessories, including a working blow dryer (blows cold air); the Groovy Girls are in (including the child-sized sleeping bag); and African American, Chinese, Korean and Latina Pose-and-Play dolls are in. We've been featured in several articles and blogs and have been on national radio with Tavis Smiley. There is a free shipping sale on the Buttaflyunltd designer Baby Tees (until 4/30/06). That's it for now. Check back later.

New Products & Services, What's On Sale, and A Special Note from a Friend

2006-03-20T07:30:00.000-05:00

Whew....It's been a while and we have been busy, busy, busy. First, there are several new toys coming soon, including a long awaited series of figures for boys of color, "Mighty World." Look for them in the next couple of weeks. The multicultural Groovy Girls are also on the way. We are still holding fast to a commitment to our own set of family values - which (for us) equates to not carrying "slut" dolls for little girls. If that's really what you want, they're available at your neighborhood super or toy store.

Currently, we have two sales running - both end March 31. There is a shipping sale ($2 each) on Baby Bottoms Dolls (without potty) and a 20% discount on all imported (organic) Furnis Spiewelt dolls and accessories (Black Tina and Jabari along with the Latina doll, Maya (shown), the doll carrier/wardrobe, and clothing to fit all three. All are available while supplies last.

We have added offline purchasing capabilities for those who are still not comfortable entering their credit card information online (we heard from you that there are still a few holdouts) - you can now order by telephone, FAX, or mail. Details and order forms are available on our Website. Eight new sales consultants have joined DollsLikeMe.com and they are ready and eager to answer your questions and take your orders. Their names and contact information are available on the Website.

Several organizations have written to us for donations and we have begun to give back in many ways. We've donated dolls for charity auctions, to homeless shelters, and to hospitals for terminally ill children. We don't yet have the resources to help as many as we would like to help. But we do what we can.

We will be adding a line of quality baby dolls soon too. They should be in by May.

Thanks for the encouraging emails and letters. It feels really good to hear that we are on the right track. Here's a note we received from Andrea in Detroit:

"Thank you Dolls Like Me. Every time a birthday or holiday rolled around, we would cringe because family members would always send our biracial daughter white dolls. When she started to say that she wanted to be pretty like the dolls, we put our foot down - no more dolls that don't look like Ashley. My mother, my sister, and my aunts all wanted to know where to shop. My mother refused to buy the "Vegas strip girls" all the stores were carrying (you know, the ***** dolls). Now we have Dolls Like Me. You have no idea how needed this website is. In case we do not say it often enough, we all appreciate you and your entire team. P.S. Shopping was a breeze and we love your selection. Andrea *******"

Thank you Andrea. We work really hard to find quality dolls for children of color and we will continue to do so.

New Product Update

2006-02-15T12:04:00.000-05:00

I visited the Toy Fair at the Javits Center and was generally dissappointed at the lack of new multicultural toys; although I did find a couple of new products worthy of note. Language Littles (makers of our talking Latino, Japanese and Chinese dolls) have a really cute new talking African American "dress-me" doll - you know, the ones that teach little ones to button, zip, snap, tie and dress themselves. She's absolutely adorable and we will be carrying her - very soon.

A new line of biracial fashion dolls aimed at the "tween" market is coming this summer from Younique Gemz a new Canadian company. Theses 9 dolls, named Ruby, Emerald, Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz, Opal, Sapphire, Amber, and Turquoise capture every imaginable multiethnic combination. Each doll comes accessorized with necklace, earring and bracelet that reflect the doll's name. According to Younique, "Each doll represents a growing segment of the population that share two or more distinct ethnic backgrounds." The dolls vary in skin tones so there is sure to be one that resembles each multiracial combination. Younique promises a wardrobe soon. They are expected in stock by August, just in time for holiday shopping. Once they are in stock, DollsLikeMe.com will provide free ground shipping for the first 30 days.

Interesting Perspective On What Color Dolls to Buy

2006-02-05T10:11:00.000-05:00

I was at a biracial blog yesterday and saw a posting where a mother thought it was crazy that people asked another mother what color doll she preferred to give her daughter of color. Her response to the mother suggested that she thought a doll was just a doll and that it was not important what color the doll was. I immediately thought about all of the expert opinions I sought when developing DollsLikeMe.com (there were 14) and all of the research reports I read about the low levels of self esteem in girls of color. I reflected on what I have learned about self-esteem in children of color (particularly girls) over the last couple of years and how giving white dolls to younger girls of color actually jump-starts the problem (several articles on this topic can be found at DollsLikeMe.com). I also considered how well-meaning, but ignorant, parents cause little girls of color to grow up wanting to look and be white; hate their yellow, tan or brown skin; and despise their thick and wavy, coily-curled, or heavy straight black hair. Then I thought about how mothers like this contribute to the problem the rest of us are trying to solve.

Thanks for the Great Press

2006-01-21T20:45:00.000-05:00

We've been receiving great press lately, thanks to all of our loyal customers and friends who are including us in their blogs and email messages. Saw a great write up on us at www.vivirlatino.com (VivirLatino is a daily publication featuring all the latest in Latino style, products, entertainment, culture, and politics created for the diverse and influential Latino and Latina community in the U.S.) . BlackNews.com is also featuring our story. Thanks for the shout out.

Forever Friendz Dolls Going Off Sale
In product news, the Forever Friendz dolls (Jada and Lianne) have been "deep" discounted (to $26.95 from $36.95) since our Grand Opening. On February 1, they will return to their regular price and another product will be deep discounted. You will have to check the site to see which one (Hint: It's a Duckhouse Doll).

Several new books and dolls will be joining us for African American History month, stop by to see the new lineup.

That's all for now. Look forward to getting with you later.

Denise and the DollsLikeMe.com crew

January Update: New Video, New Dolls and "Hot" Baby Tee Shirt

2006-01-17T05:45:00.000-05:00

New Children's Video Series
Ever wonder if any of your favorite television characters do anything worthwhile after a long run on a successful TV series? Well Karyn Parsons (Hillary of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air) has formed a new company that creates educational videos for children. The company, aptly named Sweet Blackberry, has released it's first animated DVD. It's a wonderful, uplifting tale of the slave Henry "Box" Brown who shipped himself to freedom in a box. Alfrie Woodard narrates. Of course, it is available at DollsLikeMe.com. Sweet Blackberry plans to bring several legends to the small screen, each narrated by a famous actor from film, television or stage. We'll let you know when a new one arrives. The videos are aimed at 4 - 8 year-olds and should be part of every classroom and home library. DollsLikeMe.com gives it our 5 Star rating. I particularly love the music.

New Dolls Coming Soon
On another note, look for us to add several new dolls in the coming weeks - including two beautiful play babies from Lee Middleton. I was really impressed by their quality. I only wish they had a better selection for children of color. It would be really great if there were a Native American baby available.

"Hot" New Baby Tee

Not for the faint at heart, this outrageous, downright outspoken baby tee is a miniature version of the one worn by Alicia Keys in Rolling Stone magazine. It's creator, Buttaflyunltd, says that they design clothes that "inspire those who wear the designs to love themselves and be proud of who they are." We think that's a highly appropriate sentiment for DollsLikeMe.com kids. Versions for adults and older children are available at Buttaflyunltd.com. Look for more cool stuff for multi-ethnic children in the coming months.

Russ Berrie Not Producing Amirah in 2006

2006-01-01T18:31:00.000-05:00

We just heard that Russ Berrie has stopped production of "Amirah" the African American ballerina from their "Let's Dance" series. She was our most popular doll during the first couple of months we were open and we are going to miss her. Richard, our Russ Berrie rep, promises to lets us know about new ethnic dolls released for 2006 as soon as he knows. In the meantime, let's hope the new series is as cute as the last - as we are receiving at least 4 inquiries about Amirah weekly. Sad to say, we are completely out of stock - for good.

New Year's Update

2006-01-01T02:58:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note to thank all of our customers and friends for a brisk, successful first holiday season at DollsLikeMe.com. By far, our number one sellers were the Baby Bottoms dolls - those little anatomically correct Asian, African American and Latino babies were a real hit (Latino dolls shown). We had to place so many orders, we were all dreaming about Baby Bottoms in our sleep. But it was all good and we loved every minute of it.

New Baby Section Online
We received a request to offer more infant toys for children of color and in response have created a new Baby/Baby Shower Section online. Only a few items are listed now; more are on the way - including a Spanish language baby heritage/memory book for our Latino babies. The African American Heritage Book is online and available now. I will be attending the Annual Toy Fair in February - specifically looking for new toys for infants and younger children.

Part Time Job Opportunities
On another note, we now have 5 national sales reps - in New Jersey, Upstate New York, Chicago and Atlanta. They are independent reps who organize DollsLikeMe.com parties and represent us at local events. By the end of 2006, we hope to have 50 reps. If you or someone you know is interested in a fun and rewarding opportunity, earning extra income in their spare time, please have them visit the Website or contact us at jobs@dollslikeme.com. Thanks once again for all the support and for sharing the Site with your friends, families and coworkers.

Happy New Year
The DollsLikeMe.com Family

Interracial Cards are "In"

2005-11-17T08:31:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking for a very long time that Biracial and Interracial greeting cards should be readily available. Well I got my wish. Two biracial sisters (biological) in California have formed a greeting card company called Mix it Up. Check out their new line at dollslikeme.com. They are beautifully photographed cards featuring interracial relationships (primarily African American and Caucasian). They have blank interiors - making them appropriate for just about any occasion. Mix it Up will introduce an illustrated line next year - as soon as they come in, I'll let you know.
Look for Latino greeting cards (en Espanol) in the next two weeks - just in time for the holidays.

Forever Friendz Added to Line-Up

2005-11-11T08:25:00.000-05:00

We were asked to locate smaller dress-up dolls. We found them. They are adorable. Their names are Jada and LiAnne and they are from the Forever Friends collection by Consolidated. Left is Jada, visit www.dollslikeme.com to see Lianne, who is a gorgeous Asian doll.

Shipping...Well gas prices are through the roof and so are shipping fees. The good news is - you can save gas by shopping online. They bad news is- no matter where you go, you cannot escape rising gasoline prices. Donald Trump says he can fix it. I say "Trump for president."

Talk to you soon.

Thanks for the Warm Welcome

2005-11-07T12:28:00.000-05:00

I have met such wonderful people so far: an African American woman who lives in China (although most of the dolls are made there, she cannot find a single African American doll); an “admittedly gay” (his words not mine) parent raising an Asian daughter; and at least 50 “thank you’s” from African American parents who are pleased that I decided to open DollsLikeMe. Kudos to everyone and a special shout-out to Eleanor at HBCUconnect.com – they have been so helpful – and nice. I have just added Forever Friends by Consolidated to the lineup and have been asked to add porcelain collectibles – a business I know very little about. That’s all for now, if you have any requests or suggestions (other than lower the shipping fees which, unfortunately, I cannot do a thing about) please drop me a line at info@dollslikeme.com Looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Grapevine News

2005-10-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

Word is out on the street that several new biracial dolls are coming this spring from Real-Kidz. I know that they are very busy over there, because I had a time getting my order in. Nevertheless, they are in and they are really cute – I particularly like Remsen (her mom is Asian, her dad is African American). We will also be adding the Earth2Jane dolls to our line. These are really cute fashion dolls from RC2. DollsLikeMe.com will carry the African American and Latina beauties Paris and Liberty. I promise, if you want the others, they'll be available everywhere.

I am off to the Javits Center today (Fall Toy Show) to see what is on the horizon for next year. I hope that I will be able to find quality Native American play dolls. I have had several inquiries.

Next week we will be releasing a poll, conducted on our behalf by UB. Look for it in the news. We’d love to get your feedback.

Finally Open, But Having Hard Time Finding Native American Dolls

2005-10-10T16:05:00.000-04:00

We're finally open! Want to make a special shout out to all the loyal visitors who kept stopping by to check on our progress. Although most of the store stock is in, we're still having a difficult time finding mass-produced Native American play dolls. We'll investigate producing a line ourselves (for Fall 2006), if nothing shows up at the Fall Toy Show, October 24-27 in New York City. I'll keep you posted.

Take the Dolls Like Me Poll on Self-Esteem

2005-09-27T08:14:00.000-04:00

Take the Dolls Like Me Poll

We’re tracking (unscientifically) responses to the question of how important it is for children of color to have dolls and puppets that look like them. We’ve had the opportunity to chat with several child psychology experts who tell us that all children are fragile and that looking for and finding acceptance is part of growing up healthy and whole.

We’ve learned that when children of color are presented (by unknowing and unwitting adults) with dolls and puppets that look like someone other than themselves, they subconsciously question their importance and acceptance in society. This leads to a host of identity and self-esteem issues. When coupled with the way the media portrays people of color, the subtle denigrating terms that are inculcated in the language children hear, and their virtual invisibleness on television and in movies (i.e. Latino children should see themselves as often and in as many different ways and rolls as Caucasian children), the problem becomes even more serious. This is often exhibited by children of color wanting to look white, not liking their hair or their skin color, or perhaps only wanting to play with white children. In the most serious cases it can lead to self-loathing.

Often parents – particularly white parents of children of color – like to pretend there is only one human race or culture and that their child is no different than any other person. In fact they never discuss culture, race or heritage at all. This is perhaps the most denigrating opinion of all. Every time that child looks in a mirror, he or she sees African American, Biracial, Latino, Asian or whatever their particular heritage is. To say it doesn’t exist or that it is not important is to say the child doesn’t exist or the child is not important. When that child grows up, it steps into a world where culture does exist, it is important, and everyone else belongs – somewhere. For expert opinions on this topic, visit the Parent Resource Center at DollsLIkeMe.com.

We’re not saying that buying a doll or a puppet will change things – but you’ve got to start somewhere. So, take our poll and let us know how important you think it is for children of color to have dolls and puppets that look like them.

The Dolls Like Me Team
info@dollslikeme.com

Almost Open

2005-09-26T19:16:00.000-04:00

After months of hearing "lost at sea," "stuck in customs," and "out of stock on that one," DollsLikeMe.com will finally open it's door October 1. Shipments are arriving daily. The dolls are soooo cute. There is a grand opening special for our friends who have stuck by us - $5.00 off your first purchase over $25. Use this code DLM647Y. It's good through December 31. All of the Furnis dolls are in, as are the Russ Berrie and Duckhouse dolls. The Real Kidz biracial dolls are en route along with the Well Made line of African American, Asian and Latina rag dolls - both lines should be here by Saturday's opening. Most of the furniture and doll clothes are also in. ALL of the books are in. Puppets promised for next week. The great little Small World "Baby and Blankie" featured on our main page won't be in for another 2 weeks. The custom wall hanging/doll blankets are gorgeous. Language Littles are also "on the way." We expect to be fully stocked by October 15. We have the greatest red wool winter coat and hat set for the Duckhouse dolls - wish I had one. The Furnis carrying case fits most of the small cloth dolls beautifully. I highly recommend it. Look to hear from us again in the next few days. If you get a chance to stop by the store after the 1st, let us know what you think.

Grand Opening Doll Line Update

2005-07-10T21:32:00.000-04:00

The 2005 doll line is almost complete and more than 80 African American, Biracial, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Hispanic/Latino dolls will be available when we open. They include: Molloy Toys: Real Kidz: (I have it from an inside source that they will be introducing ten new dolls this fall); Fanny's Play House: Baby Bottoms w/Potty (anatomically correct), Pose 'n Play Families and Japanese and Korean Girls; Russ Berrie: Amber, Amirah, Samara & Josie; Green Tree: My Dolly; Furnis Puppen Dolls: Selwyn, Newton, Tina & Bob (anatomically correct); Language Littles: Lizzie, Ricki, Ling, Yumi & Young He; Duck House Dolls: Devon, Denica, Giselle, Danay, Veronica & Ebony; Dolls by Consolidated: Forever Friends - Jada & Lianne; Fashion Angels: Bebe, Izzy & Debo; Brio: Jack, Miki, Tim & Sara; Well Made: Teenie Sportster, LaBella Ballerina, Diva, Sabrina Society, Melinda Mine, Pretty Petunia & Fickled Felicity; and Gund: Dora & Diego.

Look for puppet information next week.

Store News

2005-05-30T10:14:00.000-04:00

Well, our site is starting to take shape and we anticipate an August 1 Grand Opening - just in time for holiday shopping. Our furniture and accessory line is almost complete. We've ordered a wonderful solid wood armoire with matching bed, a wrought iron crib and a clothing rack. We are looking for a quality trunk to match the ensemble and plan to have a special package deal. We are also carrying a coordinated deluxe stroller, umbrella stroller and EZ stroller. Still no luck finding a line of quality biracial cards. Don't forget to visit our site for information on transracial adoptions and building self-esteem in children of color. We'll keep you posted.

Welcome

2005-05-25T07:39:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the DollsLikeMe.com blog. Here you can tell us about products you'd like to see stocked, how well a product performs (durability, ease-of-cleaning, etc.), and introduce us to new children's books and articles on raising children of color. We are particularly interested in carrying a greeting card line for biracial children and their families. We hope our blog family will help us find a quality greeting card line. We look forward to hearing your comments.