I previously posted the measurements of the average woman compared to Barbie's. This spurred comments regarding Barbie as a poor choice of dolls for young girls.
That got me to thinking... Which dolls present positive images to girls - that are not all about ginormous ta-tas and itty bitty waists? What would I want to give to my little nieces? To my daughters?
So off I went to 'research' this conundrum, and I made the following list of dolls I thought give a more positive image than Barbie. I noticed that, overall, these dolls are more expensive, which is unfortunate. However, I believe they are also of greater quality. If you know any other great dolls for girls (and boys too), please let me know!
Girls Explore
Girls Explore dolls personify actual women in history, complete with period clothing and biography. Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman, and Dot Richardson are among the historical lineup.
Now, these are not glamorous dolls. There are no ball gowns, sparkles, and makeup. They're also $55.00 a piece. However, they ofter a unique peak into history and the importance women have had in shaping it.
Only Hearts Club
Thanks to Lynnae from beingfrugal.net for mentioning these great dolls. Only Hearts Club features dolls that are girls from different ethnic backgrounds with a wide array of interests, from horseback riding, music, cooking, and math. They are appropriately dressed and come with their own pet. They are approx $16.00 each.
American Girl
I remember when these dolls from when I was a preteen, and I thought they were beautiful. Only three different dolls were offered at that time, but the American Girl company have since grown to include not only dolls from different periods in history, but baby dolls, dolls that resemble their young owner, clothing, books, and accessories. An American Girl Place, a museum/store/restaurant, is located in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. And now there's a movie coming out featuring Kit, a girl living during the Great Depression.
What I like about the American Girl dolls is how beautiful they are, yet how suited they are for playing. I really like the opportunity for learning about history that is involved with each doll. Each girl has their own story books, clothing, and accessories. My favorite has always been Samantha, from 1904.
The latest addition is Julie from 1974. This "historical" doll is hitting a little too close to home. If they make a doll from 1984, I'm going to start feeling really old!
The dolls cost roughly $90 or more.
P31 Dolls 
P31 Dolls are based on the teachings from Proverbs 31 (hence the name P31) and feature three Biblical women, Leah, Abigail, and Elisabeth. However, they are featured as girls and are dressed in modern outfits. The dolls come with a cookie recipe, cookie cutters, and a lesson based on Proverbs 31:20. They cost about $40.00.
Language Littles Speaking Dolls
Just as the name says, Language Littles Speaking Dolls "speak" various words and phrases in their native tongue if you press their hands. Languages represented by these dolls include Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. They cost approx $48.00.
Manhattan Toy Cuddle Dolls
Cuddle Dolls are your basic, cute dolls without the images that seem to encourage girls to grow up too quickly. They are soft and meant to be hugged and played with by little ones. Price is approx. $22.00.
Karito Kids
The purpose behind Karito Kids is teaching lessons about "social responsibility and charitable giving." Each doll is from a different culture - Australia, China, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, and New York. You also have the opportunity of contributing to Plan, an organization that focuses on involving children, their families and communities to help other children in need. Each doll costs about $100.00.
My Twinn
My Twinn dolls are created to look like their little owner. Send in a photo of your little girl, and in about a month, you will receive a doll in her likeness. They cost about $139.00.
Originally posted 2008-05-27 14:00:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Can You Be Fit And Fat? Good news, folks! You don’t have to look like the latest Hollywood “It” girl or guy in order to be healthy. If you’re toting around saddlebags and love handles but are truly fit, you’re a lot better off than someone who simply looks really thin but couldn’t run a...... -
Link Love - Talking Trash and Super Skinny Models Hey, I just joined the WOMAN Challenge (Women and girls Out Moving Across the Nation) this week. (Thanks for the inspiration, MizFit!) It's an 8-week fitness challenge for women to exercise at least 30 minutes or get in 10,000 steps each day. Registration is free, and you can progress along...... -
Food For Thought... and Health Green tea may have another positive feature to add to its resume - that of increasing antibiotic effectiveness, even against superbugs! Green tea gave antibiotics a boost in their bacterial killing capabilities like spinach gave Popeye his super strength. I hope this study wasn't just a fluke! It would be great if green tea really can provide...... -
Girl Scout Cookies - Wolves in Sheep's clothing? Girl Scout cookies seem to be everywhere these days! Coworkers bring in their child's cookie order sheet to work and encourage you to, "Just buy 8 boxes, and Jenny will get her badge!" Bubbly girls in green bombard you as you enter and exit the grocery store by displaying the...... -
Breast Cancer Risk Factors for Women There are a number of ailments that women are actually at risk for developing without actually realizing it. For example, breast cancer risk factors for women are much more significant than they come to realize in many situations. Of all the types of cancer that you can get, breast cancer......
Related Websites -
American Girl - Not Frugal At All (Or What's A Smile Worth) Last weekend we went to the American Girl store in Manhattan to buy my daughter a doll. Have you heard of this place? It's a doll store that specializes in making the doll purchase a full experience for your child. Among the doll choices you have is their Just Like...... -
Review: All American Girl by Meg Cabot by Captain Yarr Title: All American Girl Author: Meg Cabot Narrator: Ariadne Meyers Format: Unabridged Compact Discs CDs + Minutes: 6 CDs (7 hours and 10 minutes) Grade Reading Level: Ages 12+ Summary: Sam is a not so ordinary girl who wears all black and has a talent for...... -
How To Win A Girl Back - 3 Basic Things To Get Girlfriend Back! Today's article on "How to Win A Girl Back - 3 Basic Things To Get Girlfriend Back!" brought to you by How To Get Back With Your Ex Girlfriend. Relationships are about connection and comfort. After awhile you become so comfortable with your girlfriend it feels almost as though she...... -
Olde English Bulldog Resurrected by Ryan Greene In 18th century, the notorious past time of England was bull baiting, a sport wherein dogs were used to attack and defeat raging bulls, bears and other big animals as a form of entertainment. The dog breed that rose to this occasion was the very popular but...... -
Thoughts on Criticism "To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." --- Elbert Hubbard "Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." --- Eleanor Roosevelt "Never criticize a man until you've walked a......
- Clothing Clothing, Shoes Accessories Camping Hiking
- Career Barbie Barbie Dolls Barbie Contemporary 1973-Now Dolls Dolls Bears
- Men Clothing Clothing, Shoes Accessories Fishing
- Reproductions Clothing Accessories Barbie Contemporary 1973-Now Dolls Dolls Bears
- Porcelain Barbie Barbie Dolls Barbie Contemporary 1973-Now Dolls Dolls Bears
Categories:
Adolescence, Body Image, Health and Wellness
Tags:

8 comments ↓
Wow, I had no idea there were so many great dolls out there! My daughter loves the Only Hearts Club dolls and the American Girl Dolls (she has “Kit”). I love the history lessons from the AG dolls, too.
off to explore links
we have the lizzie language little but that’s it—-hope there are some doll of color there too!
Yep, there are girls from all sorts of different ethnic backgrounds with most of these dolls, which makes them pretty cool.
Those dolls are awesome! I had no idea there were so many good ones out there. I like the idea of the “Girls Explore” dolls especially.
Another doll I like is Fulla: http://www.fulla.us/
She’s theoretically Muslim but her clothes are versatile ( http://tinyurl.com/5uc7qk ) enough that while they’re modest they’re not exclusively Muslim. She’s also got dark hair and eyes. I desperately wanted a darker doll as a kid…in the early 90s everything was pretty much blondes. I assume they also have Hispanic dolls now which would have worked.
Thanks, Mrs. Micah! I didn’t know about these dolls.
I hope you were able to get your dark-complected doll you wanted so much as a girl!
[...] girls. That got me to thinking?? Which dolls present positive images to girls – that are not alhttp://nutritionfitnesslife.com/2008/05/27/positive-image-dolls-for-girls/Riding on through again Nevada Daily MailOCEANSIDE, Calif. — The annual Race Across America RAMM [...]
Thank you for mentioning the Karito Kids dolls/books in your article. We are thrilled to be recognized as a doll that is making a postive impact on girls! Just wanted to point out that you don’t just get the opportunity to donate, the company actually makes the donation based upon the retail price and then the purchaser gets to go online to choose where the donation should go — food, health, school or home.
Leave a Comment