Lena-2

Prettie Girls, from The One World Doll Project, are a collection of five dolls from different cultural backgrounds: Lena (African-American), Valencia (Latina), Kimani (African), Dahlia (South Asian), and Alexie (Caucasian). Girls can go online and watch YouTube episodes of the girls, listen to music, and read their bios. I like the interactive online element of the line because it provides depth and context for kids to get to know the dolls. The animated videos are well-done, with fun music and graphics, and each episode is short (no more than about two minutes), which is ideal for keeping kids interested without exhausting their attention spans. In two of the episodes, the girls appear to drink champagne, which I found out of place—though I’ll give the producers the benefit of the doubt that it was, in fact, Martinelli’s.

Valencia-2

Two of the dolls, Valencia and Lena, are available now, with the other three to be released early next year. The first Signature Edition doll, Cynthia Bailey, is also available and is a limited-edition, collector’s series doll packaged in a box that, while beautifully designed with graphics of the doll inside as well as the real-life Cynthia Bailey, does not have a transparent cover, making in-package display impossible. The doll itself is glamorous, with a big, curly head of hair, a glam-casual stylish outfit, and chunky gold statement-piece jewelry—perfect for a collector’s display.

I also like the message that the line sends to girls about inner beauty. Each doll’s bio online, as well as her packaging, includes the line “I’m prettie because…” and ends with a personal strength such as “I am a great role model” or “I always have a positive attitude.” While the dolls are physically attractive, they stress the idea of beauty as health, good grades, ambition, adventure, and kindness.

About the author

Christine Duhaime

Christine Duhaime

Christine Duhaime is an associate editor at Adventure Publishing Group. She contributes to leading trade magazines The Toy Book and The Licensing Book and manages all editorial content for thelicensingbook.com. She also contributes to seasonal publication The Halloween Insider and blogger reference site thebigtoybook.com Christine is a nostalgia junkie and a plush enthusiast. She enjoys exploring and photography, and is always up for an impromtu adventure. You can follow her on Instagram @christineduhaime.

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