ABOUT.COM TO MERGE WITH PRIMEDIA, OWNER OF DOLL READER MAGAZINE: This is BIG news, in all the major media today.  About.com is merging with Primedia, Inc., the publisher of hundreds of specialty magazines including Doll Reader magazine.  Doll Reader magazine is the largest magazine available on doll collecting, and one of the best-known.   There are NO current plans to change the site, but merging the real-life resources of Doll Reader with the online resources of About.com can only mean a good thing for doll collectors!  Stay tuned to About Dolls Daily for more information!

BARBIE CHALLENGER: PRO AND CON:  There have been a TON of articles on the new Get Real Girls and their "challenge" to Barbie   Here is an interesting take on the dolls from M.G. Lord, who wrote the very unauthorized "Forever Barbie."  Ms. Lord says:  "For the first time ever, Barbie may have a challenger who can kick her anorexic butt."  And the title of the article is "En Garde, Princess" in the always irreverent Salon magazine.   Personally,  I think Barbie is going to kick the athletic butts of THESE dolls, but that's just your Guide's humble opinion.  In fact, in an interesting twist, ANOTHER Salon article agrees with me.  In "Get Unreal," the author suggests that "Julz Chavez, creator of the Get Real Girls, seems to have missed this point. She has gone out of her way to create anti-Barbie role models -- surely a noble goal -- but in the process she has ended up creating half a dozen annoying girls next door. The "action" figures, whose most amazing feats take place at high school sporting events, are at the very least boring. At most, they're politically correct, parental pipe-dream merchandise -- teacher's pets that baby-boomer liberal grown-ups will love and their kids will hate."  Two very interesting points of view!  Which do YOU think is correct--stop by the Forum to discuss!

LOOKING FOR THOSE ELUSIVE TOYS?:  Well, then, this article  in the Bergen record suggests you had better become friends with the shipping department of your local Target, Toys R Us, or other Big-box retailer.  Fast.  And, while you're at it, don't miss my Santa Panic List where we explore how hard to get some of the popular toys are, AND their secondary market prices on eBay right now.  Did you know that Sony Playstation II is selling on eBay for $600 to $800?  

iDOLLS EXTENDS SPECIAL HOLIDAY SALE:  On Stardust Classics, 18" vinyl dolls, originally $80 and now 1/2 off. Exclusive Sale. Quantities Limited. Sale ends Nov. 5!   Plus, there is a sale on the popular 18" vinyl slim-bodied play dolls, which are $19.95, and $9.95 for 10 clothing items.  These dolls are regularly $84.95, and this sale in the past has been very popular with About.com members--they make great Christmas gifts, too.  Limited Quantities. New Inventory Available.

FLORENCE THERIAULT CHAT:  It was wonderful!  Later this week, I hope to have some questions and answers posted for those who were not able to attend the chat.  Florence has agreed to come back as a Special Guest for another chat in the future, so look for it in 2001! 

Check out the chat room?  Its open 24 hours a day, and its free!  Just invite your friends in any time, or stop by to see who's there!  http://collectdolls.about.com/mpchat.htm. 

CHILDREN GROWING OUT OF TOYS SOONER:  Every year there is one of these articles, and every year I am saddened when I read them.  The premise is that kids outgrown their dolls and other toys sooner than ever, because they get interested in grown-up, electronic and media things much sooner.  Ouch--doesn't leave much of a childhood. "Girls, for example, are now past the Barbie stage by age 8, instead of age 11 or 12, independent toy consultant Chris Byrne said. He attributed the trend to their increasing savviness with technology, like hand-held computers and cellphones."  Out of the Barbie stage by 8?????  U didn't get out of the Barbie stage till I started dating!!!  Very depressing--my daughter is already 5.  Its in the Salt Lake Tribune.

SMALL TOY CO. RISES AS A SUPERSTAR: Article on JAAKS Pacific, maker of Elle dolls, Charlie Angel dolls, Power Puff dolls and more.  In Excite News.  

Mystery Guide Of The Day:   Did you know that we have over 700 Guides at About, all bringing you the best on their topic? HINT: Collectors of Robert Tonner's Julia doll will ESPECIALLY like this site!

October 23, 2000:  Eve arrives; American Girl Holiday Catalog; Joan Nerini Antique Costuming Seminar
October 19, 2000:  Halloween Kellys; Sothebys.com leaves Amazon; Doll Costuming Magazine Premieres, more! 
October 13, 2000:  Middle-Aged Barbie; KB Holiday Toys; Vintage Barbie by Mail Auction, more!
October 6, 2000:  TRU Big Barbie Event; Robert Tonner Showcase; Holiday Toys; Sad Toy Story
October 3, 2000:  New doll books; Barbie Volkswagen Beetle, Chuck E. Cheese Doll; Barbie Hallmark Ornaments
September 28, 2000:  Mattel Buy-out rumours; Elle dolls; Barbie Fashion Models
September 25, 2000:  Ginny and Vintage Barbie Auctions; Online Toy Store Wars
September 22, 2000:  Daisy and Willow Line In Turmoil; Olympic Dolls; Lee Middleton Showcase
September 18, 2000:  Top Holiday Toys List; Barbie Markets to Moms; Black Widow Released
September 13, 2000:  New American Girl Kit; $15,000 Gene Package; Robert Best; eBay and Featured Items
September 11, 2000:  $8,000 Fashion Model Barbie Doll; Lee Middleton Dolls; eBay tackles fraud; Encore Gene shipping
September 8, 2000:  eToys; The World's Biggest Toy Store; Some Alexs' Sold Out; No AA Fashion Model Barbie
September 6, 2000:  Doe Barbie Manipulate Children; Venus and Serena dolls; Baby Boomer Toys; Robert Tonner 18" dolls 
September 1, 2000:  Modern Doll Convention; New Barbies; John F. Kennedy Doll; ViewMaster 
August 30, 2000:  Reproduction Dawn; Electronic Toy Shortage; Theriaults Upcoming Online Auctions; Paper Dolls
August 28, 2000:  Auction-Site Shake-Out; Barbie in the New Millennium; New Links
August 25, 2000:  Ask the Editor Chat; AA Prince Ken; Doll Reviews

• Doll Cirque:  November 10 - 12, 2000.  Theriault's special once-a-year event--a doll show with 30 of the world's best antique doll dealers, AND two doll auctions. At the Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, Florida.   www.theriaults.com 
• McMasters Barbie Auction: Catalogued two-day Barbie auction, November 17 and 18th in Cambridge, Ohio.   McMasters 
• Timeless Treasures: The Story of Dolls in Canada is on display now through  March 30, 2003 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec. For more information on this huge (over 400 dolls) landmark exhibit, visit http://www.civilisations.ca/cmc/cmceng/pr113aeng.html 
• Theriault Premier Marquis Auction Weekend:  January 5 to 7, 2001, at the Western Coast Plaza, Newport Beach, CA.  3 catalogued auctions PLUS a Disovery Day.  Stop by and say hello to your Guide--I'll be attending!
• National Gene Convention 2000 will be held Oct. 20-23 at the Arlington Heights Hilton in Arlington Heights, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). Registration is $325 and limited to 700. For more information, contact genecon99@aol.com
• Baton Rouge Doll Show:  February 10, 2001.  Ramada Inn and Convention Center, 1480 Nicholson Drive, from 9 am to 4 pm. Competitive and special exhibits, helpers, and door prizes. Proceeds to  benefit local charities such ads JC's Christmas programs for needy children and Easter and Thanksgiving programs for seniors and shut ins; and the UFDC. For additional information contact Pat Duncan pduncan@premier.net or George Orgeron at 504-386-4291 or orgeron@i-55.com.  Stop by and see your Guide; I'll have a table at this show!

Click HERE for the 2000 Doll News Archive from January through August

For all 1999 editions of "Dolls This Week" please go to the 1999 Dolls This Week Archives.