Sign Language Barbie--a TRU Exclusive: The new Sign Language Barbie, a Toys R Us Exclusive, is now arriving on shelves. ``Sign Language Barbie is a terrific addition to our outstanding Barbie line,'' said Jim Feldt, President-U.S. Toy Stores Merchandising and Marketing. ``This is a wonderful way to teach kids more about sign language" Mattel worked with the National Center on Deafness at California State University, Northridge to ensure the Barbie doll was accurately representing a sign language teacher. Packaged in a schoolroom setting, Sign Language Barbie doll highlights American Sign Language (ASL) through the use of hand positions both on the box and on stickers included with the doll. By using the stickers, children can make their own sentences through the use of ASL.

Barbie for President!
A year 2000 "Barbie For President" doll will be offered by Toys R Us. The White House Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that promotes women candidates, said it has teamed up with Mattel Inc. to market this doll, which will be available at TRU starting May 1! Among her 75 careers over the past four decades, Barbie has worked as a doctor, designer, soccer champ, diplomat and astronaut. Marie Wilson, president of the White House Project, said on Monday a President Barbie was a natural next step. "Girls nationwide own an average of eight Barbies. Since Barbie is such a large part of girls' lives, we want to be there with a message that encourages them to be tomorrow's leaders," she said in a statement. Each "Barbie for President" doll will be sold with a copy of the White House Project's Girls' Action Agenda, which urges girls to pursue leadership roles in their schools, communities and homes.

Both Sign Language Barbie and Barbie for President are/will be available at Toys R Us online, at http://www.toysrus.com

e-Bay style Commerce is Pinching Antique Dealers
Many long-time doll collectors are worried about the effect that eBay and other online auction sites may have on dealers. Here's an interesting article, from Pioneer Planet, which discusses some of these concerns for antique dealers in general.

Betty Spaghetty at Ohio Arts:
But the future of toy maker Ohio Art Co. might well hinge on a colorful and wiry teenaged shop-a-holic doll named Betty. "Betty Spaghetty has really become the focus of Ohio Art,'' said Cliff Annicelli, managing editor of Playthings magazine, a top trade industry publication. The doll made of removable brightly-colored parts was the chief offering by Ohio Art this year at the annual toy fair in New York. The doll is already very popular with girls, thanks to a big advertising campaign during children's TV programs. Although the doll is aimed at 8 to 12 year olds, younger girls also enjoy it. The popularity of Betty Spaghetty is helping Ohio Arts weather difficult financial times; read the whole story at ToledoBlade.com . You can see Betty Spaghetty at LTI Toys.

Upcoming Doll Events

• Calgary Doll Club Spring Sale: April 30, 2000. For information 403-253-6337
• THE VIVIAN ANTIQUE TOY AND DOLL FESTIVAL April 29 to May 14, 2000
  56 NEILSON DRIVE, ETOBICOKE (TORONTO) ONTARIO M9C 2S2: EXHIBITION OF THE VIVIAN TOY & DOLL COLLECTION set against a backdrop of
  quilts, hooked rugs, weaving and painting by NEILSON PARK artists. For more information contact 416-622-5294
• Anaheim 2000 Dollmaking Show: Anaheim, April 28, 29 and 30. Anaheim Convention Center. HUGE show.
• International Convention 2000 of the Doll Artisan Guild: June 28 to July 1 at the Hilton in Walt Disney World. Held every 2 years; I'll be attending so come say hello!
• National UFDC Convention: Fin Du Millenaire: Chicago, July 16-21 2000. The National Convention; over 2000 doll collectors, sale room, modern and antique doll competition rooms, classes, seminars (your Guide will be teaching a seminar) , meal events and much more! Go to www.ufdc.org for more information.
• NATIONAL DOLL FESTIVAL: Chicago, July 15-19, Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. For information http://members.aol.com/natldoll/pub/
• 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
• Fashion Doll Convention 2000 San Diego, California August 12 to 14 2000 at the DoubleTree Hotel. Convention dolls are Daisy and Willow. For more information, http://members.aol.com/fashiondollsd or e-mal fashiondollsd@aol.com

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2000 Past Editions of Dolls This Week:

January
Madame Alexander 16" Fashion Doll; Mattel Execs Leave *
Doll Costumer Guild Announces New Publication; *
Barbie PC; Barbie Auction *
February
Jill Barad Resigns From Mattel *
All The Toy Fair News! *
Toy Fair Recap; Toy Fair Toys are Technological *
March
New Theriault's Auctions; Dorothy Coleman Dies *
TRU Big Event, Virginia Graves Carlson Dies *
April
New Doll Books; New Barbie Releases in Stores *
Jill-Neimrow Nelson Resigns; Americana 2000 Projects; Fashion Doll Convention *

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