Miss Columbia Doll from the Chicago World Fair of 1892

Miss Columbia has traveled the world!

       In 1892, at Oswego Centre, a quiet little town in New York state, Miss Emma Adams originated the idea of making dolls with soft durable bodies, made of cloth, with hair and features painted on. Dressed in the fashion of their time, the dolls proved to be practical for children, and although started by Miss Emma for her own pleasure as a novelty, she and her sister Marietta, soon found that they had prospered and developed a growing business with their doll making.

       In 1893 these dolls were given a 'diploma of merit' at the Chicago World Fair, and at that time received the name by which they were always to be known, the Columbia Dolls. Miss Emma Adams painted the faces on the dolls herself, but after her death in 1900, the dolls were painted by artists who were engaged for the task. The faces of the dolls are very pretty. They were well made as to body, stuffed with cotton and excelsior, and so carefully costumed in clothes that could be taken off that they were dearly loved by the children who were fortunate to possess a doll from the skillful and painstaking hands of Miss Emma and Miss Marietta Adams.
       After Miss Emma passed on, Marietta continued the business. In 1907 she married and as her parents were no longer living, the doll business was not continued on so large a scale. A few dolls were made but gradually this stopped too. Although the Columbia Dolls were never patented, this doll is now in the Doll Museum at Wenham, Massachusetts. She received splendid publicity from the Press, and as a messenger of good will, as well as a very American doll in manufacture and clothing, has won her place of fame in the world of dolls.
       It is not too difficult to tell a Columbia doll. The sizes of these dolls varied from fifteen inches to twenty nine inches and costuming ranged from a pink or blue gingham dress to a plain pink or blue dress, a 'gown', a boys suit and a baby dress of white. The smallest doll sold for $1.50, and the largest for $5.00. There were a dozen dolls, numbered from one to twelve, according to size and orders were by number, and not by a description of the doll itself.

       Mrs. Gustav Mox reports a Columbian doll in the collection of Bonnie Jean Mox which bears the earlier label.

A FEW NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS:

       "Among the interesting dolls on exhibition at the International Collection of dolls in Boston last week was one named "Columbia,'' which was shown by Miss Emma E. Adams, of Oswego Center.
       Miss Adams, the originator of the doll, has a widespread reputation as a maker of cloth dolls which she sells to retailers in every part of the country.
       Miss Adams has several assistants at her Oswego home and persons who have visited the house have been enthusiastic over the many handsome dolls. - Oswego Times.

       '' This doll is distinctly American for every thing in her wardrobe is of American manufacture.'' - Boston Globe.       

       "Mrs. E. R. Horton, of Boston, is going to send "Columbia," a sweet little lady, around the world without a chaperon or guide book. However, the gem will be carefully watched over by express messengers, and every precaution will be taken to insure her comfort and safety. Little Columbia is a full grown domesticated doll. She was the star at the recent doll show. Now she is to be sent as a contribution to other exhibitions given in the interests of charity." - Boston Post.

       "Doll traveling around the world for charity is queen of them all. This beautiful doll arrived in Philadelphia yesterday from Boston in the first stages of her journey around the world. She is the queen of the International Doll Collection and destined to become the most famous doll in all the world.
       Miss Columbia" is pretty and well dressed, as well as good and famous. When she returns to her native shores she will have a story to tell.'' The North American, Philadelphia.

       "Columbia,' the gem of the International Doll Collection, is to travel around the world without chaperon or escort except baggage-men.'' Boston Journal.

        Columbia" is a pretty little girl doll, and has a tag pinned on to her which says she is not a bit afraid of the long journey. And she is proud of herself, for she is to be exhibited when she returns, and the money that people pay to see her will be devoted to charity.'' - The Pittsburg Dispatch.

       "Columbia,' America's doll, the one that is making a trip around the world alone and unchaperoned, after true American fashion, reached Denver this morning. Her face has been washed, her ulster brushed and she is ready to be admired, and it is quite possible her stay in this city will be marked by numerous functions in her honor. "Columbia has created something of a furore in the East.'' -The Denver Evening Post..

• Read more about Miss Columbia Doll here.

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Fern from "When I Read, I Dream" series

The doll, Fern, from Charlotte's Web.
See Heidi from the same series.

       I recently acquired Fern from the "When I Read, I Dream" series by Mattel from the second-hand market place.

The back side of the box this doll comes in reads:
       "When I Read, I Dream" collector dolls celebrate the friends we make between the pages of best-loved books. Meet one of the first in our series, Fern Arable, the spunky little girl who befriends a "TERRIFIC" pig in Charlottes Web.
       Fern has a lively imagination and loves to sit on a stool in Uncle Homer's barn, listening to Wilbur the pig. Charlotte the spider and all the other animals share stories. When Wilbur's life is threatened, Fern hears the animals plot to save him!
       Fern is presented here in denim dress overalls and red boots, perfect for listening to barnyard stories or chasing brother Avery through the pasture. And, of course, she wouldn't go anywhere without her friend Wilbur!"

 

       This adorable, seven inch, red head doll is dressed for adventure and well, a few chores on her Uncle's farm.
       Fern has a rooted, silky wig and painted blue eyes. Her costume comes with tiny details like overall buckles and classic blue jeans stitching in a contrasting colors. Her blouse a country styled red and white check with turned down collar.
       She also has her very own tiny plush piglet, Wilbur,  to play with!

 

Left, Wilbur. Center, Fern. and Right, Charlotte in her web.

First edition cover by Williams.

       Charlotte's Web is a book of children's literature by American author E. B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams; it was published on October 15, 1952, by Harper & Brothers. The novel tells the story of a livestock pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered by the farmer, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur such as "Some Pig" and "Humble" in her web in order to persuade the farmer to let him live.

       Written in White's dry, low-key manner, Charlotte's Web is considered a classic of children's literature, enjoyed by adults as well as children. The description of the experience of swinging on a rope swing at the farm is an often-cited example of rhythm in writing, as the pace of the sentences reflects the motion of the swing. In 2000, Publishers Weekly listed the book as the best-selling children's paperback of all time.

More About Charlotte's Web:

• The animated feature, "Charlotte's Web" from 1973
• Judy Newman at Scholastic about Charlotte's Web

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The Wizarding World of Dolls

       The dolls below are design after the central character in the series is Harry Potter, a boy who lives in the fictional town of Little Whinging, Surrey with his aunt, uncle, and cousin – the Dursleys – and discovers at the age of eleven that he is a wizard, though he lives in the ordinary world of non-magical people known as Muggles. The wizarding world exists parallel to the Muggle world, albeit hidden and in secrecy. His magical ability is inborn, and children with such abilities are invited to attend exclusive magic schools that teach the necessary skills to succeed in the wizarding world.

The Wizarding World Dolls by Mattel. Left, Ginny Weasley and Right, Hermione Granger.

The Four Main Characters from J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Novels:

1. Ginevra Molly Weasley, photo upper left hand corner, is a fictional character in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter novel series. Ginny is introduced in the first book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, as the youngest sibling and only girl in the Weasley family. She becomes Harry's main love interest and eventually marries him at the conclusion of the series.
2. Hermione Jean Granger, photo upper right hand corner, is a fictional character in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. She first appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, as a new student on her way to Hogwarts. After Harry and Ron save her from a mountain troll in the girls' restroom, she becomes best friends with them and often uses her quick wit, deft recall, and encyclopaedic knowledge to lend aid in dire situations. Rowling has stated that Hermione resembles herself as a young girl, with her insecurity and fear of failure.
3. Harry James Potter, photo in lower left hand corner, is a fictional character and the titular protagonist in J. K. Rowling's series of eponymous novels. The majority of the books' plot covers seven years in the life of the orphan Harry, who, on his eleventh birthday, learns he is a wizard. Thus, he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to practise magic under the guidance of the kindly headmaster Albus Dumbledore and other school professors along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Harry also discovers that he is already famous throughout the novel's magical community, and that his fate is tied with that of Lord Voldemort – the internationally feared Dark Wizard and murderer of his parents, Lily and James. The book and film series revolve around Harry's struggle to adapt to the wizarding world and defeat Voldemort.
4. Ronald Bilius Weasley, photo in lower right hand corner, is a fictional character in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter fantasy novel series. His first appearance was in the first book of the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, as the best friend of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. He is a member of the Weasley family, a pure blood family that resides in "The Burrow" outside Ottery St. Catchpole. Being the only member of the three main characters raised in magical society, he also provides insight into the Wizarding World's magical customs and traditions. Along with Harry and Hermione, he is a member of Gryffindor house and is present for most of the action throughout the series.

The Wizarding World Dolls by Mattel. Left, Harry Potter and Right, Ron Weasley.

       The Harry Potter novels are mainly directed at a young adult audience as opposed to an audience of middle grade readers, children, or adults. The novels fall into the genre of fantasy literature, and qualify as a type of fantasy called "urban fantasy", "contemporary fantasy", or "low fantasy". They are mainly dramas, and maintain a fairly serious and dark tone throughout, though they do contain some notable instances of tragicomedy and black humor. In many respects, they are also examples of the bildungsroman, or coming of age novel, and contain elements of mystery, adventure, horror, thriller, and romance. 

The Seven Novels Include the Following Titles:

1. Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone (or Philosopher's Stone)  - won most of the British book awards that were judged by children and other awards in the US. The book reached the top of the New York Times list of best-selling fiction in August 1999 and stayed near the top of that list for much of 1999 and 2000. It has been translated into at least 73 other languages, and has been made into a feature-length film of the same name, as have all six of its sequels. The novel has sold in excess of 120 million copies, placing it among the best-selling books of all time. Read more...
2. Harry Potter And The Chamber of Secrets - The plot follows Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, during which a series of messages on the walls of the school's corridors warn that the "Chamber of Secrets" has been opened and that the "heir of Slytherin" would kill all pupils who do not come from all-magical families. These threats are found after attacks that leave residents of the school petrified. Throughout the year, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione investigate the attacks. Read more...
3. Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban - follows Harry Potter, a young wizard, in his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along with friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry investigates Sirius Black, an escaped prisoner from Azkaban, the wizard prison, believed to be one of Lord Voldemort's old allies. Read more...
4. Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire - follows Harry Potter, a wizard in his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the mystery surrounding the entry of Harry's name into the Triwizard Tournament, in which he is forced to compete. Read more...
5. Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix -  Harry Potter's struggles through his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including the surreptitious return of the antagonist Lord Voldemort, O.W.L. exams, and an obstructive Ministry of Magic. Read more...
6. Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince - Set during Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts, the novel explores the past of the boy wizard's nemesis, Lord Voldemort, and Harry's preparations for the final battle against Voldemort alongside his headmaster and mentor Albus Dumbledore. Read more...
7. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - The novel chronicles the events directly following Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) and the final confrontation between the wizards Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. Read more...

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Monster High Dolls

       Monster High is an American fashion doll franchise created by Mattel and launched in July 2010. It was created by Garrett Sander, with illustrations by Kellee Riley and illustrator Glen Hanson.

• Monster High Official YouTube

Mattel's Monster High dolls from 2010.

       This popular cartoon features a variety of fictional characters that have been created into dolls. The female characters are classified as 'ghouls' and the male characters are classified as 'mansters'. The characters are the sons and daughters, or related to monsters that have been popularized in classic gothic horror novels, musical theater, stage plays, vintage fright films, and folk legends. Below are the characters from the Monster High doll series that are among our doll collection thus far:

1. Frankie Stein - She is the daughter of Frankenstein's monster and his bride. She has white hair with black streaks, even though her mother has black hair with white streaks, and light, mint-green skin, the color of mint-chocolate chip ice cream. Frankie is a simulacrum, meaning her body is made of many different parts, similar to a hybrid, but she is more than three or four monsters. Also, she is clumsy, sweet, and always kind to others. 
2. Draculaura - is a vampire who is the daughter of Dracula. She is a vegetarian who faints at the sight of blood. She has fangs and typically dresses in pink, black and white.
3. Clawdeen Wolf -  is the daughter of a Werewolf. She is described as furry, outgoing and sweet. Clawdeen loves fashion with clothes and clothing-design. She has a bit of a temper at times when messed with, but can easily control it when coaxed properly. Her wolf ears are pierced in multiple places. 
4. Lagoona Blue - is the daughter of a Sea Monster. Lagoona is from "Down Under" and speaks with an Australian accent. She can talk with water-animals. 
5. Cleo de Nile - is the daughter of the Mummy Pharaoh Ramses de Nile and is 5842 years old at the start of the series. She is the captain of the fearleading squad. Cleo prefers to accessorize with light-gold bandages or mummy-wrappings. She is, or is based on, Cleopatra. 
6. Ghoulia Yelps - is the daughter of a Zombie and is Cleo de Nile's personal assistant. She is very smart, but can only speak a zombie-language which consists of moans and groans. She wears white glasses. 
7. Elle Edee from Boo York - is the daughter of robots. Elle love music and aspires to be a DJ. She needs to be updated often as she is "still under construction."
8. Operetta - is the daughter of The Phantom of The Opera. She is French and known for being rebel. Operetta hangs out in the catacombs where she practices theatrics and records her own music.
9. Venus McFlytrap - is into eco punk and the environment. Sone have speculated that she is a plant daughter to Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors.
10. Raven Queen - is the good daughter of an evil queen. Her mother depicted in the fairy tale Snow White. She is one of the primary characters featured at Ever After High. She does not enjoy playing a villain role or being stereotyped as evil.
11. Abby Bominable - Abbey Bominable is the daughter of the Yeti. She has white hair with blue, pink and purple streaks; and blue skin. 
12. Toralei the Werecat - Toralei Stripe She is 15 years old, but on her first of nine lives. She is described as the mean girl, overconfident, sarcastic and tends to put others down.
13. Jinafire Long - Jinafire Long  is the daughter of a Chinese dragon. She has black hair with green streaks, yellow eyes and skin, and a thin yellow dragon tail.
14. Scarah Screams - Scarah Screams  is the daughter of the Banshee. She has long black hair with greenish-yellow streaks, eyes that have no irises, and likes to wear clothes that have green in them.
15. Ari Hauntington - Ari Hauntington is the daughter of ghosts. She has purple hair with pale grey eyes and translucent pale white skin. 
16. Jackson Jekyll - is a normie boy at Monster High, and enjoys sports (particularly casketball) and video games. Jackson is the son of "Dr. Jekyll", though it's unclear if this is his father, though in the books, Dr. Jekyll is his mother, Sydney Jekyll.

Fans Review Monster High Dolls:

• Monster High by Christina G.
• Backstories behind the Monster High Characters

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Journey Girl Dolls

       Journey Girls is an American line of 18" fashion dolls sold by Journey Girls. They are targeted at girls ages 6–12 and were sold at Toys R Us in the United States until it went out of business. JustPlay rereleased the Journey Girls, and they have been sold on Amazon since then.

• Visit the Journey Girls Store Here

       The Journey Girls dolls are 18 inches tall like the American Girl dolls, although they are a bit thinner. Journey Girls can wear most other 18" doll clothing that is made for American Girl dolls, My Generation, etc... clothes, although they may be a little loose on them. These 18" dolls have much narrower feet, so their shoes need to be purchased at Amazon or custom crafted. The Journey Girls range from about $30-$40.

Journey Girls from 2014, Toys R Us: Chavonne, Kelsey, Meredith, Dana, Kyla
and Callie pictured above.

 

Our curly haired Chavonne Journey
Girl Doll shows off her collection of dolls.
She has a miniature Cabbage Patch Kid,
  a small Paddington Bear and a tiny,
delicate porcelain doll dressed in
lace wearing a Spring bonnet.

The Journey Girls Doll Characters:

• Chavonne - originally named Taryn, is African American; she is a leader and a singer. See our version of Chavonne with longer, straight hair here.
• Kelsey - a pale redhead; she is adventurous, dreams of being a writer, and can settle differences between her friends. See our Kelsey doll help build a gingerbread palace...
• Meredith - A platinum blond with blue eyes, "Always full of energy, health and fitness are a way of life for Meredith."
• Callie -  Callie is biracial, of Japanese and Mexican descent; she loves to dance, and is the fashion guru of the group.
• Kyla - Kyla, originally named Alana, is Latina. She has generous, long brown hair and soft expressive brown eyes. "A true artist, Kyla loves expressing herself through her photography. She is a keen observer who always seems to capture the perfect moment, whether photographing her friends or the new places she explores."
• Dana - Dana is the only doll with glasses; she loves animals and is always trying to help at the local shelter. Her dream job is a veterinarian.
• Jordanna - She has hazel eyes and multi-toned blond to brown hair. "She who loves to shop and study the latest style trends.  This fashionista is ready to dazzle in her favorite gown this holiday in Paris."
• Mikaella - Mikaella has strawberry blonde hair; she loves trying new things and cooking for her friends. She dreams of owning her own restaurant.
• Ilee - Ilee has blonde hair with a darker blonde streak; she loves nature, is free- spirited, and dreams of being a florist.
• Giovanna - is another platinum blond doll, but her eyes are dark blue. Like Jordanna, she was a special edition doll and may be very hard to find.

Every Journey Girl doll comes with the top portion of their torso made of vinyl and the lower half made of fabric. Each doll has rooted hair and lovely acrylic inset eyes. Journey Girls dolls come in a wide variety of skin tones, hair colors, and hair textures too.

Journey Girl Reviews:

• Journey Girls Are Back!
• Journey Girl Callie Doll Review
• How does Giovanna compare to Jordanna?
• How to repair a Journey Girl Doll's broken arm...
• See our Journey Girl Dolls model handcrafted jewelry here

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Little Lottie Dolls: Meg

Left, back of the box. Right front of the box for Meg doll one of Little Lottie's friends.

       Our little Meg doll has a sweet subtle smile, her lower eye lashes are emphasized along with bold eyebrows and super curly hair! She looks as though a question is frozen in her expression. She is dressed in a silky soft green jacket, blue jeans shorts, white sneakers and a bright yellow tee that reads "Kids Voices Matter." Meg is modeled after "Little Miss Flint" and she's taking her campaign to the halls of the Lottie doll's school to run for class president. Vote for Meg if you think that Kids' Voices Matter!

The back of the box for Meg reads:       

       "My friends and I believe kids' voices matter! Finn loves the environment and teaches us all about recycling. Mia is kind to animals and cares very much about their welfare. We talk a lot about the things that matter to us. We think it's important for kids to know that if something bothers you, you have to talk about it. Be bold, be brave, be you. That's the only way to make a change."

Left, how Meg looks just inside her box. Center, Meg wears a tiara.
Right Meg and her megaphone.

Left, inspired by real kids, Meg is a bold, brave, doll! Center, In 2016 Mari Copeny,
a child activist and campaigner inspired the Meg doll design.
  Read more about Mari or 'Little Miss Flint' here.

More About Lottie: Lottie Dolls are a series of dolls created by Arklu Ltd. Launched in August 2012. Lottie promotes STEM subjects for kids and was even the first doll in space when she travelled to the International Space Station alongside British European Space Agency Astronaut, Tim Peake, on the Principia Mission, in December 2015. Read more...

• "First Doll in Space: 'Stargazer Lottie'
• Watch and learn about the first Lottie dolls: how it all started

Lottie and Finn are the main characters of the Arklu line. Lottie changes in appearance with different hair and skin tones. Finn was launched in 2014, and his clothes both fit Finn and Lottie, allowing boys and girls to interchange outfits. Friends of Lottie are: Sammi, Mia, Kawaii, Sophia and Meg.

7 Attributes of Lottie + Her Friend Dolls:

1. All dolls stand 7.5 inches tall.
2. All dolls share the proportions/build of average nine year olds.
3. Lottie dolls are made of vinyl.
4. Every doll has abundant rooted hair that can be combed.
5. All dolls have painted features.
6. Each doll has seven points of articulation if you count the wired knee joints, these bend slightly.
7. The fashions worn by these dolls have velcro closures, top stitching, tiny buttons and decorative iron on decals. 

Video by fans and reviewers of Lottie:

• Brand new Lottie dolls, unpacking by three little sisters
• Lottie Doll Movie 2020 Snow Camping Adventure
• Tech-Nic-Allie talks about Lottie
• AtHomeWithNatalie reviews Muddy Puddles and Autumn Leaves
• Sweet Dreams Lottie Doll Pajamas Outfit
• Every Girl's A Superhero Lottie Doll

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The Fancy Nancy Doll

Fancy Nancy doll displayed in the box. Right, her face up close.

       Fancy Nancy comes with rooted, brilliant red curly hair. Her facial features are painted. Her eyes are bright green. She has freckles, just as most red headed children do. Her mouth is open showing smile with suggested teeth. 

       This doll's body type is that of a kindergartener through first and second grade. Her limbs are just a bit on the chunky side. Her pale green tights are painted on permanently. 

       Fancy Nancy stands nine inches tall and she has five points of articulation those being: at the neck, at the shoulders and at the waist. Her knees do not bend. 

       Her body is made of a harder plastic vinyl than her head. She has a headband, waist bow and shoes all made of the same soft, pink plastic but in a variety of pinks. 

       Nancy's dress is sewn with shimmery green and pink synthetic fabrics that include velcro closures. This costume may be washed but do not iron it! It may melt.

Additional play items include molded plastic flats and sticky paper ribbon for children to make their own jewelry for play.

The doll from four different angles, plus one photo showing her undressed with painted tights.

       Our Fancy Nancy doll is built for rough handling. Her joints are relatively durable. Her expression is sweet and loving and her costume would appeal to any young child.  Nancy also has very flat feet so it is easy to make her stand on her own. 

       There are other variations of this same doll with a closed mouth and alternative fashions as well as some that come in much larger sizes.

• Amy Shand reviews Fancy Nancy doll. (18")
• Sallyheartsjack80 reviews the Parisian Style doll version
• The Fancy Nancy and Best Friend Bri, life-sized dolls! reviewed by Rubyred Worldofdolls
• Reviewing the Talking Fancy Nancy Doll + Her jewelry lights up! She also speaks two languages, English and French by TTPM Toy Reviews

Above is our Fancy Nancy doll, when she was new in the box.

More About Fancy Nancy's Books: Fancy Nancy is the main character in a 2005 children's picture book written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. The book spent nearly 100 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, launching a series that now numbers upwards of 80 books, selling 43 million volumes. Fancy Nancy has been on Publishers Weekly's bestseller list for picture books, was a Children's Book-of-the-Month Club selection and a Junior Library Guild Selection. It also won a "Borders 2006 Original Voices" award and has been translated into 20 languages, including Hungarian and Hebrew. In April 2012, Nancy was featured in her first chapter book, Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth. Books in the Fancy Nancy series have now spent 330 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, and in the fall of 2012, Fancy Nancy the Musical was produced by Vital Theatre Company in New York City. 

• You can find Fancy Nancy video at Disney Junior YouTube
• Fancy Nancy Is Not At All What I Expected...
• Coloring pages and crafty printables for Fancy Nancy

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The Cave Club Dolls

"Ever wonder who the first friends were? Meet the Cave Club, a truly unruly group of prehistoric
 kids who are way ahead of their time!"

       The first five Cave Club dolls: Emberly, Slate, Tella, Roaralai and Fernessa, are nine inches tall, have psychedelic, rooted wigs and wear outrageously gaudy animal prints. Every doll has eleven points of articulation.

More Attributes Cave Club Dolls Share in Common: 

• Their eyes and ears are giant compared with the rest of their facial features and their eyebrows are tinted with the same exaggerated hair color woven through the vinyl heads of every doll. 
• Cave club dolls come with multiple plastic, decorative attachments. These include a pair of ankle adornments, a head piece and either a belt or necklace, depending upon the doll. Some of the dolls also carry plastic implements.
• Every doll has a special attribute featured only in each character and every doll has a singular motif associated with them.
• All of these dolls have unique pets that accompany them on their adventures. 

"Roaralai was raised by sabertooth tigers so she always jumps into new adventures paws first."

        Roaralai's backstory includes an unusual beginning. She was raised by a sabertooth cat mother and therefore has painted whiskers on her face, teeth for decorative accessories and wears a costume featuring tiger skins. Her anklets are faux, plastic fur and teeth. Her color is fuchsia and her purr-fect pet is a sabertooth kitten.

       Emberly is the little inventor in this doll series. She, of course, invented fire, and eats barbecue! Her hair is flaming red, she sports a bone bowtie and carries a stone tipped hammer. She has a painted flame on her face and her color is a brilliant red. Her pink dinosaur pet's name is Flaire.

"Fernessa is wild about studying all plant and animal life, and she likes to help her friends bloom!"

        Slate is the artist of the group. He has blue and green paint streaked hair that stands on end. He carries a paint brush and palette too. He has paint splotches on each of his cheeks and his animal print clothing is decorated with additional hyroglifics. He wears bark adornments held together with shoelaces. His colors and green and blue and his pet, flying dinosaur, is named Taggy.

       Fernessa is adorned with plant motifs because of her obsession with all plants. Fernessa' hair is a natural curly hot pink and green. Her dress has an exceptional floral motif shaped from paw prints. Leaves and flowers decorate her ankles, hair, shoulders and waist. She has a little green leaf painted on one of her cheeks. Her colors are pink and green and her animal pet is a dinosaur with bat wings named Ptilly. 

"Tella can see into the future, so she's always been ahead of her time even if her visions
are a little blurry."

       Finally Tella is a cave girl who gazes at the stars through a crystal tella-scope. Her face is painted with tiny white stars too. She wears a distinctive lavender tutu beneath her animal skin dress. Her bright blue and white hair is pinned up with purple crystals. Her pet is a wolf named Hunch. Her motifs are stars and crytals, her colors are purple and blue.

Visit cavetales at YouTube for kids.

Crafts for Cave Club Dolls:

1. Make a waterfall from papier-mâché...
2. Mini Campfire Bundle  
3. DIY A Cave And A Rock Arch for Plastic Animals
4. Bake a Dinosaur Footprint Charm 
5. Cut and Paste Your Doll's Campfire

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Heidi from "When I Read, I Dream" series

Heidi doll inspired by Johanna Spyri's
 novel "Heidi."

 "When I Read, I Dream" doll series has four characters thus far include: 

• Jo from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Anne from Anne of Green Gables by Maud Montgomery
• Heidi from Heidi by Johanna Spyri
• and Fern from Charlotte's Web written by E. B. White

       The back side of the box this doll comes in reads:

"Heidi loves her mountainside home with its whispering fir trees and views of snow fields and peaks reaching to the sky. And she loves the Alps most in springtime, when she climbs up to the pasture with Peter the goatherd to pick bluebells and primroses in the warm sun.

      Heidi's traditional Swiss-style outfit features a brightly printed dress, vest and apron. She looks ready to wave goodbye to her grandfather, then race up the mountain with Schwanli the goat to join Peter and the rest of the herd!"

       This seven inch doll has realistic features: brown eyes, freckles, blond braids and pale natural colored lips. 

       She wears a pair of sturdy looking brown boots suited for the Swiss mountain countryside! Her rooted wig is pulled by with a traditional white kerchief. 

       This version of Heidi wears a cotton printed peasant dress with ruffles around the skirt and sleeves. 

       She is ready to accompany any little girl into her world of imagination!

Heidi's black velvet vest features scrollwork and flowers. Right, her fresh starched
apron is also trimmed with tiny flowers and gold embroidery lace. 

Left, Heidi's box features her grandfather's quaint, mountain cabin. Right, the back of the box.

More Dolls from "When I Read, I Dream":

• Anne of Green Gables
• Jo doll from When I Read, I Dream series
• Read "Heidi" for free

We have color paper dolls of Heidi and Peter here!

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Miss Hickory by Carolyn S. Bailey

cover

       The protagonist is Miss Hickory, a doll made of a forked twig from an apple tree and a hickory nut for her head (hence her name). She lives in a tiny doll house made of corncobs outside the home of her human owners. Her world is shaken when the family decides to spend the winter in Boston, Massachusetts, but leave her behind. Miss Hickory is aided during the long cold winter by several farm and forest animals. Prickly and a little stubborn, she slowly learns to accept help from others, and to offer some assistance herself. 

• Miss Hickory read aloud by Ron McCoy
• Miss Hickory Unit Study and Printables
• How to craft Miss Hickory in Her Gingham Dress
• How to make Miss Hickory - Patterns and instructions from Illustrated Miscellany in her fall leaf costume
• How to make dangling nut head people
• A Home built for Miss Hickory

About The Author: Carolyn Sherwin Bailey (October 25, 1875 - December 23, 1961) was an American children's author. She was born in Hoosick Falls, New York and attended Teachers College, Columbia University, from which she graduated in 1896. She contributed to the Ladies' Home Journal and other magazines. She published volumes of stories for children like methods of story telling, teaching children and other related subjects, which include Boys and Girls of Colonial Days (1917); Broad Stripes and Bright Stars (1919); Hero Stories (1919); and The Little Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings (1945). She wrote For the Children's Hour (1906) in collaboration with Clara M. Lewis. In 1947, her book Miss Hickory won the Newbery Medal.

• Full text of Hero Stories, Milton Bradley Company, 1919.
• Works by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey at Project Gutenberg

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Wellie Wishers by American Girl Doll Company

14" American Girl Dolls called Wellie Wishers

       The Wellie Wishers are a group of young elementary age girls who meet and play together at Aunt Miranda's backyard garden. As the name implies, dolls from the line wear Wellington boots, and have a body design distinct from the classic, Götz-derived American Girl dolls. The line was released on June 23, 2016.

       Coinciding with the characters' launch is a mobile game for iOS consisting a series of minigames centering on the WellieWishers girls and their adventures, and an animated web series scheduled to be released in Fall 2016.

The Wellie Wisher Girls, Left to Right: Ashlyn, Camille, Emerson, Kendall and Willa.

• Ashlyn -Ashlyn is the group's party planner, and the most socially-active among the girls. She is described as throwing the best parties and loves to make her friends happy—and has a "princess"/very feminine side to her, wearing a predominantly pink outfit with a tiara, blouse, a tulle skirt and pink boots with gold and lace designs.
• Camille - A caring young girl and a good listener, Camille also has an affinity for the ocean and aquatic interests, including pretending she's a mermaid. She is depicted as a Caucasian girl with shoulder length blonde hair similar to Kit Kittredge, blue eyes, and light skin, and a mole or freckle under her left eye. Her interests are reflected in an outfit consisting of a blue T-shirt with a ruched ribbon, a multi-colored tulle skirt, and fish-themed boots with fins on the sides.
• Emerson - Emerson is the theatrically-inclined member of the group, enjoying the stage and performing in front of her friends through her poems and songs to which she writes herself. She is depicted as an East Asian girl with black hair worn in two twisted buns, light skin and dark brown eyes. Her outfit reflects this with a wrap ballet style top, star-spangled tulle skirt, and ballet shoe styled wellies. She also wears two pink tulle-trimmed ponytail holders in her hair.
• Kendall - Kendall serves as the group's artist and designer, having a gift for arts, crafts and recycling old or discarded things. She appears as a black girl with dark skin, textured black hair worn in two high ponytail puffs and brown eyes. She also shows her diplomatic side at times, settling arguments and disputes when the need arises.
• Willa - A tree-climber and nature lover, Willa has an interest in the outdoors, making friends with animals and being fluent in "rabbit language". Willa is depicted as a strawberry blonde styled in pigtails and a sweet set of bunny ears with beautiful hazel eyes and soft freckles. She wears a hedgehog face print tee shirt with a green, as American girl calls it, hedgehog print skirt and adorable red ladybug wellies.

Titles of Nine Wellie Wisher Books by Valerie Tripp: ages 5-9

1. Ashlyn's Unsurprise Party 
2. The Muddily-Puddily Show
3. The Riddle of the Robin
4. Camille's Mermaid Tale
5. The Mystery of Mr. E
6. The Rainstorm Brainstorm
7. Emerson and Princess Peep
8. The Clippity-Cloppity Carnival
9. Will's Wilderness Campout   

Wellie Wishers Play Set Reviews:

• American Girl Wellie Wishers Playhouse
• Wellie Wishers Garden theater Play Set Review
• Pinboard for Wellie Wishers: doll clothes patterns and playsets

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