Around Town: Did I mention Im learning a new language? May 15, 2009
Go back to your Polly Pockets, your American Girl dolls and your Littlest Pet Shop and tune in again next week. Where was I. (Hanover Mariner, MA)
Today's tykes: Secure kids or therudest in history? May 7, 2009
And, of course, a best-selling line of dolls is, literally, named Bratz. That message pales in comparison to the video game franchise Grand Theft Auto, a perennial best-seller among teens and pre-teens who spend hours engaging in virtual behaviors ranging from bullying to having sex with a prostitute and then killing her. (MSNBC -- Health)
Jackman: Action Figures Like Voodoo Dolls May 7, 2009
Mattel is also getting into the act with a series of "Star Trek" items, including remote control Enterprise and Romulan Bird of Prey ships from the original series, a Hot Wheels versions of the Enterprise and other ships, and movie dolls of Barbie as Uhura (Saldana), Ken as Spock (Quinto) and Ken as Kirk (Pine). Terminator Salvation' The Terminator is back -- without Arnold Schwarzenegger -- with a fourth "Terminator" movie, and there's a host of toys to come with it. (KIRO TV, WA)
Toymaker plans new, bigger doll May 4, 2009
File photo Mike Klein, Manhattan Toy chief operating officer, pictured with one of the company;s Groovy Girls dolls ... Manhattan Toy has replaced its top management as the maker of Groovy Girls dolls plans a new, higher-end doll line set to debut next year ... dolls, still in development, will be large dolls about 15 inches tall, a bit shorter than American Girls but Klein said the as-yet-unnamed doll isn t intended as a direct competitor. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
Isis Maternity Brookline celebrates sixth birthday May 2, 2009
Items such as Nintendo Wii Games, DVDs, craft sets (ages 10 to 16), adult-level puzzles, model sets for older kids, baby dolls, trucks and other small toys for younger children; as well as canned chicken broth and canned soups, spaghetti sauce, cooking oil, oatmeal packets and microwave popcorn are welcomed. The party also features a concert by children s musician Vanessa Trien from 10 to 11 a.m., cupcakes and refreshments, free Isis Maternity demo classes, including, Kindermusik, mom and baby... (Brookline TAB, MA)
Swine Flu: A guide for parents May 2, 2009
Be a good example for your kids, and encourage them to "teach" their dolls to wash up, too. Make sure they can reach the sink easily. (CNN -- Health)
Judge upholds $100M Mattel verdict over Bratz Apr 28, 2009
The receiver will decide who produces the doll and under what terms, but the order authorizes the receiver to maximize profits by "selling Bratz-branded dolls and other goods through appropriate channels of trade and distribution.". Mattel attorneys have said in court that the company is willing and able to produce Bratz dolls once receivership issues are sorted ... After the verdict, Mattel sought to block MGA from ever making the Bratz dolls, and Larson ordered the company in December to end... (Anchorage Daily News)
Barbie wins again: $100M verdict over Bratz dolls upheld Apr 28, 2009
Barbie wins again: $100M verdict over Bratz dolls upheld - USATODAY.com ... Barbie wins again: $100M verdict over Bratz dolls upheld ... The receiver will decide who produces the doll and under what terms, but the order authorizes the receiver to maximize profits by "selling Bratz-branded dolls and other goods through appropriate channels of trade and distribution.". (USA Today -- Money)
'Liberal indoctrination' Apr 28, 2009
Dad to 3 teenage girls wrote on Apr 27, 2009 11:53 AM:" If you are really, really that concerned about the H O M O S E X U A L agenda indoctrinating our children, you need to start way before the little ones enter school. Take a look at all the cereal boxes with homo erotic graphics. (Everyone knows Captain Crunch has homo desires.) Browse through a toy store and examine the homo erotic dolls, I mean action figures. Time to start a "boy"cot against HOMO toys and overt graphics. ". Dr. Kraig Wroe... (Sioux City Journal)
Lewis: Are we there yet? Surviving road trips with kids Apr 19, 2009
And we'd really better not forget the favorite stuffed animals, dolls, blankets and so on unless we want to have several sleepless nights. There's also the matter of packing for the actual journey itself. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Trash or Treasure? Apr 19, 2009
All that stuff cluttering up your closets, attic, and garage -- those little knick-knacks, such as old dolls, baseball cards, comic books or action figures, might be more than just junk ... The dolls collectors would be most excited to find in someone's attic ... An original #1 1959 Barbie doll is especially valuable if it's a brunette version, as there was only one brunette doll produced for every two blonde dolls. (CBS News -- Early Show)
You see it in the faces: Kids feeling impact of economic hard times Apr 19, 2009
She said her two small grandchildren, Journei, 4, and Ralpheal, 2, are typical children who want dolls, trucks and other items that stand outside the bare necessities of life and present expenses she sometimes can t afford. They get less toys. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Mattel posts loss despite boost from Barbie 50th Apr 18, 2009
The 50th anniversary of Barbie is commemorated by a lineup of Barbie dolls from different eras. NEW YORK (AP) (AP) Mattel surely wishes Barbie could turn 50 every year. (USA Today -- Money)
Marie Osmond laughs about it all in new memoir Apr 17, 2009
She is best known for the rosy-cheeked, wide-eyed image she attained while co-hosting the '70s TV variety show "Donny ," and has had successful runs singing country music, performing in Broadway plays and designing porcelain dolls. As the mother of eight, Osmond was one of the first celebrities to talk openly about postpartum depression in her 2001 best-seller, "Behind the Smile.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Birthdays with Barbie Apr 17, 2009
McCann has been collecting the dolls since 1992, starting with the holiday dolls and her collection expanded from there ... She even got two Barbie dolls for her birthday --- a special anniversary doll in a gold dress and a replica of the first Barbie ever made ... Friends and family got into the act, too, giving her dolls for birthday and Christmas gifts. (Waterloo Courier, IO)
Senior home helps African school with supplies Apr 16, 2009
She donated school supplies to Eleos, along with Barbie dolls for the girls and Matchbox cars for the boys. The school is funded by what little the church can afford. (Lexington Minuteman, MA)
Elks buy soccer balls for Iraqi kids Apr 15, 2009
We re going to send dolls to the girls and soccer balls to the boys and probably have his comrades pass those out. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Preston assisted her efforts when members obtained and sent around 100 soccer balls to the children in Iraq in honor of her son. (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
Goodbye dolly, hello Nintendo Apr 14, 2009
GIRLS are throwing out toy dolls at a younger age and a leading adolescent psychologist says it is yet another sign that childhood is being eroded ... Mr McCrindle surveyed 2500 Australians and found that while the mothers of today's children stopped playing with dolls between the ages of 10 and 11, their daughters were discarding dolls at an average age of six or seven ... Five-year-old Ava Hampshire has an enviable cache of dolls, many of which have been inherited from her older sister Helena,... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Man behind Caylee dolls faces lawsuit Apr 13, 2009
Man behind Caylee dolls, Vick dog toys faces lawsuit - CNN.com ... Man behind Caylee dolls, Vick dog toys faces lawsuit ... (CNN) -- Consumers who bought "Caylee Sunshine" dolls and Michael Vick dog toys were misled into believing that a portion of their purchases would go to charity, according to a lawsuit filed this week. (CNN)
Bye to Bratz and Hello to Nintendo and Mobiles Apr 12, 2009
FIVE-YEAR-OLD Ava Hampshire has an enviable cache of dolls, many of which have been inherited from her older sister Helena, now 10 ... GIRLS are throwing out toy dolls at a younger age and a leading. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Company sued over Vick chew toy Apr 10, 2009
Florida s attorney general has sued a Jacksonville man who marketed and sold Caylee Anthony dolls and Michael Vick chew toys ... When Showbiz used Caylee Anthony s name and likeness for a line of dolls, Salcedo allegedly indicated a $5,000 donation had been made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. (Jacksonville Business Journal, FL)
Man Sued For Caylee Doll, Vick Chew Toy Apr 10, 2009
-- A Jacksonville businessman and his company that sold chew toys resembling former NFL player Michael Vick and planned to sell dolls named after slain 2-year-old Caylee Anthony are sued by Florida's attorney general ... A Jacksonville businessman and his company that sold chew toys resembling former NFL player Michael Vick and planned to sell dolls named after slain 2-year-old Caylee Anthony are sued by Florida's attorney general. (News4Jax.com, FL)
Treasure Hunters Roadshow headed to Charleston Apr 3, 2009
These experts are especially interested in coins and paper currency issued prior to 1965, toys dolls, trains, vintage jewelry, old and modern musical instruments, war memorabilia, gold and silver jewelry, costume jewelry, advertising memorabilia, swords, knives, daggers and the unusual. The treasure hunters make offers based on what collectors are willing to pay. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
German pastor defends plastic Bible scenes to toymaker Apr 3, 2009
Playmobil does not manufacture nude dolls. Playmobil says it has known about Bomhard's site for a year and only decided to act against him when they decided that his distortion of the figures was going too far, and that he could encourage children to do the same. (AZCentral -- News)
Service greatest asset of local businesses Mar 27, 2009
She got $6 from her grandparents, Anderson said as Lyla Ingalls eyed the dolls. I love this place. (Easton Journal, MA)
Town Crier for TUESDAY Dec. 16 (65) Mar 26, 2009
The unique seasonal gift shoppe features gourmet packaged treats, antiques, plush, and handcrafted or uniquely embellished ornaments and giftware including stained glass, alpaca clothing, tole/decorative painting, florals, wire and beaded creations, great jewelry variety, pottery, rope baskets, soaps/lotions, jams/jellies, quilted items, fretwork, original cards, paper art, hand-crafted dolls, beeswax candles/ornaments, metalwork, original artwork, and 1 gifts. New merchandise arrives daily. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. Awarded "Vendor of the Year" by Wal-Mart Mar 21, 2009
JAKKS diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories, sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific, Child Guidance, Color Workshop, Creative Designs International, Disguise, EyeClops, Flying Colors, Funnoodle, Girl Gourmet, Go Fly a... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
New Dolls on the Block Mar 20, 2009
CONTROVERSIAL: Toymakers argue their dolls normalize disability, but some parents say they pigeonhole kids Emily Keegin. Ever since Barbie and her reality-defying curves stepped into the playhouse, parents have complained that dolls promote an unattainable image of beauty ... "Dolls represent real people in the imagination of a young person," Perry says. (Time.com)
China's factories get desperate as orders drop Mar 19, 2009
AP Photo - Boxes of dolls sit in the store room of a closed toy factory in Zhangmutou, in Dongguan, in China's southern Guangdong province, on Feb. 10, 2009. Early signs are pointing to a bleak year for industries in China's southern manufacturing hub. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Visit Solvang for Danish Treats and... Mar 17, 2009
Handmade linen embroidery can be purchased for table linens and candle shops, toys and dolls and small gifts make browsing an enjoyable sport. An exclusive antique shop carries Old World clocks and precious silver items. (Suite101.com)
Message in a Bindi doll Mar 16, 2009
Kids have little enough time to play these days: Do their dolls really need a moral purpose ... Now I was embarrassed by Nouveau Riche Barbie, who dressed better than any of my friends' dolls. (Boston Globe)
When Barbie conquered the Soviet Union Mar 12, 2009
It just so happened that I was apparently one of the first people in the Soviet Union to get a Barbie doll, which was ironic since I was one of those relatively rare girls who simply didn't play with dolls ... "I remember all our dolls were shapeless, breastless, with indefinable gender characteristics." ... "Another world had arrived," Khomenko says, "and that world was more aesthetic than the things we were producing in Russia. In this regard, you should recall the dolls of the... (Asia Times Online)
U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for March 11 Mar 11, 2009
It's estimated that every second, two Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world ... The appeal of dolls remains strong in spite of the increasingly sophisticated electronic toys which capture most advertising budgets and shelf space in stores ... Making dolls and stuffed animals is a $328 million a year business. (PR Newswire)
The multi-faceted Barbie turns 50 this week Mar 11, 2009
She seemed special, not like the other dolls, said Barbara Weiner, a corporate communications consultant in Decatur who has held onto her Barbies since childhood. She represented dreams and this little world I guess I escaped to when I was a kid. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Alternative Easter Basket Fillers f... Mar 10, 2009
One can also add simple toys such as bubbles, dolls, cars, teddy bears, crayons, markers, puzzles, doll clothes, coloring books and activity books to kids' Easter baskets. There s no rule that says your kids' Easter baskets must be filled with candy. (Suite101.com)
Banning Barbie Mar 9, 2009
Just when you think you've heard everything, a West Virginia lawmaker wants to ban Barbie dolls. Barbie is celebrating her 50th anniversary this month, and this legislator believes she is a bad influence on girls. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Barbie Celebrates 50 Years Mar 9, 2009
However, Mattel sold more than 350,000 dolls within the first year once Barbie hit store shelves ... US businesswoman Ruth Handler recognised a gap in the market when her daughter Barbara played with paper dolls and their extensive wardrobes in teenage or career women roles, rather than playing mummy to baby dolls. (Suite101.com)
* Barbie at 50: Is Mattels star still in fashion? Mar 8, 2009
Jonathan Adler, the designer of Barbies real-life Malibu Dream House, is pictured inside a mirror framed by Barbie dolls in the house in Malibu, California, on Wednesday ... Its very clear that the taste of little girls who play with dolls has changed, said Jerry Oppenheimer, author of a book on Mattel called Toy Monster ... Dolls will be a part of their lives. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Barbie Moves to a New Six-Floor Home in Shanghai to Escape U.S. Recession Mar 8, 2009
I like her clothes and shoes, said 11-year-old Li Qiunan, who has 14 of the blond, blue-eyed dolls and was scouting for another at a Feb. 20 preview of the store on Huaihai Road ... Barbie dolls are made in China and Indonesia, said , a spokeswoman ... In September 2007, apologized to Chinese authorities after a recall of 21 million toys made in the country, including Barbie kitchen sets with excessive amounts of lead paint and Polly Pocket dolls with magnets that kids could swallow. (Bloomberg)
Handmade headaches Mar 6, 2009
Confusion over the new regulations led Westerville s Judy Sisk to step back from selling the $40 handmade rag dolls that were part of her sewing business. We see so many conflicting things on what you can do and can t do, she said. (Columbus Business First, OH)
Sweet & sour move for Barbie Mar 6, 2009
I like her clothes and shoes,'' said 11-year-old Li Qiunan, who has 14 of the blond, blue-eyed dolls and was scouting for another at a preview of the store on Huaihai Road ... As many as 60% of the dolls that will be sold in the Shanghai store will be made in China, with the rest coming from the Philippines and Indonesia ... In September 2007, Mattel apologized to Chinese authorities after a recall of 21 million toys made in the country, including Barbie kitchen sets with excessive amounts of... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Groovy Girls to Automoblox: Toy company expands into cars Mar 6, 2009
The Minneapolis company, best known for making Groovy Girls dolls and developmental baby toys, last month launched a line of cars and trucks called Automoblox. The cars which resemble a souped-up version of the pinewood derby racers made by Boy Scouts offer the company an entry into a new market. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
W!LDBRAIN Animation Powerhouse Expands Operations to Los Angeles Mar 5, 2009
LDBRAIN Animation Studios has a proven track record for producing CG television since 2003, with Higglytown Heroes, the hit animated television series featuring characters modeled on Matryoshka nesting dolls, airing on the Disney Channel and with Bubble Guppies, the interactive, animated variety show for preschoolers set in a vibrant 3D, CGI animated underwater classroom, which is set to air on Nickelodeon. Additional work-for-hire business includes an animated pilot created by Nancy Hower and... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Spring Break Week Recalling Frontier Days Mar 5, 2009
Children can sit in a one-room schoolhouse, taste biscuits from an authentic chuck wagon and make old-fashioned cornhusk dolls. On Friday and Saturday, Elsie s Country Store will serve cakes, cookies, ice cream, lemonade and the signature dish Koch Kaese (German cooked cheese). (Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post, TX)
In the Barbie World Mar 4, 2009
The women and gender studies program, directed by professor Brenda Cooper, took Barbie to a new level this month by planning a Barbie Bash where students and the community were invited to redesign dolls so they no longer fit into stereotypical gender roles. Students in media smarts and intro to women and gender studies classes were assigned to make Barbie, Ken, G.I. Joe and Bratz dolls whoever they wanted them to be without focusing solely on clothes and hair (for women dolls) and muscles and... (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
Your Incredible Neighbors: Mexican villagers in need welcome Green Valley Samaritan Mar 4, 2009
He brings small stuffed animals and dolls for the girls, along with used playing cards and as many items of donated clothing and linens as his 1995 Ford pickup truck can hold ... The dolls Phinney hands out bring smiles to the young village girls faces, along with comments of muy linda and que bonita as the children hold these toys tightly. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Playpen is called a success Mar 3, 2009
Inmates from the Missouri River Correctional Center in Bismarck and the Dakota Women's Correctional Rehabilitation Center in New England repair, clean and prepare donated bikes, toys and dolls for the children. Donations were collected from the public at the Dan's Supermarket parking lot on Washington Street. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
San Mateo Avenue a vintage main street Feb 28, 2009
Fun stuff includes dolls, play gyms and toys. (650) 588-7644. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Travel)
* Taipeis underground gaming heaven Feb 28, 2009
The smaller Media Toy (}) is one of the few stores here that sell Blythe dolls; its current selection includes the newly-released Friendly Freckles (NT$3,050) to the older and rarer Cherry Blossom (NT$9,050) ... Other toys include petite Blythe dolls and full sets of gashapon toys. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Center for child victims to open soon Feb 28, 2009
Age-appropriate questions, drawings, and dolls are used to help children describe their experience without the interviewer putting words in their mouths. Physical exams or safe exams can be performed at the De Soto center by a doctor from Hillsboro. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Testing for toxins likely to poison business Feb 24, 2009
Roth feels lucky that not all of her dolls are made for children ... Roth, who sells most of her dolls through Internet sites devoted to homemade products, said that's not much time. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
'BARBIE AND RUTH': Scandal tainted career of doll's creator Feb 23, 2009
Today, Barbie dolls are sold in 140 countries at an astonishing rate of three dolls a second, according to Forbes magazine ... Handler, who founded Mattel in 1944 with husband Elliot and Harold "Matt" Matson, was inspired to create the doll during a post-WWII era dominated by baby dolls and paper dolls. (USA Today -- Money)
Agency expands services for sexual assault victims Sexual assault group expands services, offices Feb 23, 2009
Plastic tubs hold dolls, plastic animals and tiny metal cars ... That room also offers art supplies, dolls, puppets and child-size furniture. (Fredericksburg.com, VA)
Wenham dollhouse maker Nancy Shane is very serious about toys Feb 22, 2009
But these aren't playthings - you'll find no dolls here. Think of Shane, rather, as an architect, project manager, and interior decorator: Just like a human-sized house, there are decisions to be made about wallpaper, paint, curtains, wiring, baseboards, molding, and doors. (Boston Globe)
• At the Toy Fair, how about a nice cheap board game? Feb 22, 2009
Toymakers have gotten the message that Mom and Dad want to buy toys that will be enjoyed over and over: dolls, games, arts and crafts, activity toys like yo-yos, sporting goods such as scooters. Lego is doing extremely well in this economy, and Crayola had the biggest sales week in the history of the company right before Christmas, when nearly everyone else in the industry was scraping by. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Please Play With the Toys Feb 19, 2009
And Karito Kids has an online world where girls can play with multi-cultural avatars of their dolls. They can watch them live online, and girls can learn about different world traditions and cultures It's a meaningful pursuit, and it focuses solely on girls. (Fox News)
The Parenting Place Feb 18, 2009
cm wrote on Jan 21, 2009 3:53 PM:" OLB: a puppy huh? lolpersonally I think it is best to get one when a child is small, this way when its an adult dog, it is used to children, also a good idea if you plan to have more children.we bought one of our mini-dachshunds when or daughter was about 2. Did she ever torture that dog! but that dog is her best bud-my daughter 'today' is 10, her and LULU are glued together!we also brought home a kitten too.one day our daughter decided she wanted the cat to... (Auburn Citizen, NY)
Financial pinch returns focus to cheap toys Feb 17, 2009
Skip the batteriesToymakers have gotten the message that Mom and Dad want to buy toys that will be enjoyed over and over: dolls, games, arts and crafts, activity toys like yo-yos, sporting goods such as scooters. Lego is doing extremely well in this economy, and Crayola had the biggest sales week in the history of the company right before Christmas, when nearly everyone else in the industry was scraping by. (Huntington WSAZ-TV, WV)
50-year-old Barbie makes catwalk debut in New York Feb 16, 2009
The show was one of many steps that Mattel is seeking to make Barbie hip again as girls have increasingly turned to edgier dolls like MGA Entertainment's Bratz range, video games and other electronic toys. Other events this year include plans to open the brand's first flagship store in Shanghai in March, hold a Barbie exhibit in Paris, and run a four-day National Barbie Doll Collector's Convention in Washington, D.C., in July. (Xinhuanet, China)
What Would You Do If Your Doctor Said Your Fetus Had a 1 in 6 Chance of Being Born With Down Syndrome? Feb 16, 2009
In their Westford home, surrounded by toys, dolls, and games favored by their firstborn, a 3-year-old girl, Dave recalls his initial response to hearing that their second child might be different: He favored abortion. However, his wife did not. (Boston Globe)
New takes on old favorites at NYC toy fair Feb 16, 2009
At the Barbie exhibit, El Segundo, California-based Mattel Inc. was celebrating the baby boomer icon's 50th birthday with a line of nostalgic dolls from her early years ... The dolls got a boost when 7-year-old Sasha Obama had one clipped to her backpack on her first day at Sidwell Friends School in suburban Maryland ... Spokeswoman Alita Friedman said Uglydolls are popular with kids who are too old for stuffed animals because each character comes with a humorous backstory. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Fantastic plastic? Barbie's changing role Feb 15, 2009
Mattel faces a challenge to sell the iconic dolls amid economic woes ... But 50 years later, Mattel faces a challenge to sell the iconic dolls amid worldwide economic woes ... In a world where "hip" dolls are those with higher hemlines, sexy heels and heavy makeup. (MSNBC)
Octo-mom's story Feb 13, 2009
Octuplets story doesn t add up, logic immensely flawed. Mother of octuplets, Nadya Suleman, was interviewed by Ann Curry on Tuesday's Dateline on NBC.. (The Palm Beach Post)
Toy stores brim with fake Barbies and floppy-eared bunnies Feb 12, 2009
In one shop, Barbie-look-alike dolls peer from a basket, their blue eyes glaring at customers while they sit still like pageant queens waiting to be graded. They do not have "Barbie" branded on their packaging, and they cost a lot less than their picture-perfect, plastic sisters. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
China's imports crash Feb 11, 2009
Mattel Inc., the world's biggest toymaker, said this month that fourth-quarter profit plunged as consumers cut spending on Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars during the worst U.S. holiday-shopping season in 40 years. Mattel imports from China, where more than 4,000 toy companies closed last year as demand fell and countries tightened safety standards, accordi 00004000 ng to the official Xinhua News Agency. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
