New Doll Releases for 2001

**FOR NEWS FROM THE 2002 IDEX AND TOY FAIR: 2002 Toy Fair Index**

By Company, Alphabetically

Ashton Drake

Gene

• Trent Osbourne IS the new character in the Gene line, just as was rumored.  Trent will be available in a tuxedo, for his "Formal Introduction," plus as two dressed dolls, including  "Lover In Disguise (limited to 5,000) .  There are also 4 Trent costumes and a Trent Director's Chair.  The costumes are "Royal Military," "Playing the Ponies," "Tennis Anyone" and "Kid Valentine."  Costumes retail for between $49.95 and $69.95. Formal Introduction is $110; Lover in Disguise is $125.  Trent is a leading man who has played opposite Gene and Madra many times.
• There is a trio of licensed outfits from 20th Century Fox this year.  Madra appears in "All About Eve."  Gene appears in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," and Trent in "The Rains Came."  The dolls are each $125 and limited to 5,000 each.
• Trent dolls will have an indent in their stand so they can be displayed standing close to Gene or Madra.
• The winning student Design this year is "Batter Up."
• This year's Simply Gene is in purple lingerie and has bendable arms
• "April Showers" Gene is taken from a 1957 Coca Cola calendar picture.  She carries an actual working umbrella and comes with a miniature reproduction of the 1957 Coca-Cola calendar page.
• "Love in Bloom" is a special Retailer Exclusive Gene.  She is limited to 5,000 and she has a hair piece that will come off--a first for Gene!
• "Little Blessings" is an outfit that is also a first for Gene--its a maternity outfit!  The outfit is designed by Vince Nowell. One way to identify an outfit created by Vince is that it often has his trademark 3 cluster beads.
• "Ultimately Madra" (well, its really a Simply Madra, but nothing about Madra is simple) will have waist, arm and leg joints.  She has long red hair, and a fur stole to go with her pink lingerie, plus mules.
• Madra will get a red director's chair this year.
• "A Lady Knows" dressed doll, designed by Bob Lange, includes a fur stole with a little fox-face on the end (just like the actual fur stoles of the mid 20th century).
• The Holiday Outfit, "Shimmering Star" will be limited to 5000, and it was also designed by Bob Lange.  
• "Blue Fox" Gene has a new honey-brown hair color
•  "Pierrette" Gene will be the first Gene to have pink hair!
• There will be a Gene calendar in 2002.
• "Cold Shoulder" Madra will be the first with a lovely dark honey-blonde hair.  The dressed doll was designed by Jose Ferraud.
• For the costume, "Mad about Mitzi," Mitzi is a poodle (Madra was quite upset to discover this when she agreed to do the movie.  The poodle comes with the outfit.
• "Scarlett Temptress" Madra is the Star Retailer Exclusive doll and it is limited to only 2500 pieces.  It retails for $120.
• "Anything But Nice" costume for Madra comes with a cigarette holder (well, it may be politically incorrect, but isn't' that the perfect Madra accessory?).
• For "Winter/Summer Set," the idea is that a Paris boutique designed the dresses for Madra (two outfits in this set).

• GENE RETIREMENTS 2001:

Red Venus
She'd Rather Dance
Savannah
Sparkling Seduction
Madra FE 
Heartless
Pink with Envy
Sunset Celebration
Avant Garde
Black Ribbon
Crescendo
Personal Secretary
Cameo
Midnight Angel
Picnic Basket
Out for a Stroll
Birthday Party Set
Champagne Supper
Love Paris
Daughter of the Nile
Tango
Safari
Hi Fi
Picnic in the Country
My Favorite Bow
El Morocco 

    Other Ashton Drake Dolls

• Mrs. Beasly, a reproduction of the popular 1960s doll will talk and be available for $89.99 in early September.
• Cinderella will be available with her trunk.
• For the Disney licenses, there will be a "Back To School" Pooh doll, and a Christmas Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, plus "A Hug For Mickey."
• There will be a "Wedding in Venice" and a "Wedding in Paris" in the popular brides series.
• There is a new Precious Moments series, "A Year Of Precious Moments" in porcelain.  each doll is $29.95 and the case is $29.95.
• Three Hummel dolls will be available this year, "Little Gift Wrapper,"  "Making Cookies" and one other. Each is $49.95.
• Looney Tunes dolls will include a "Wet and Wild" Taz."  and a "Basking with Bugs," plus a Halloween "Little Devil" Taz.

Bespaq Corporation

• Although best-known for its quality miniature furniture, don't overlook Bespaq for fine doll furniture in larger sizes.  

Butterfly Ring

• This new line of dolls is being produced by the Thomas Boland Company.  
• There are seven dolls in this collection--including Gigi, Stephanie, Tasha, Valentina, Koko and Jaclyn.  
• The dolls were sculpted by Sandra Bilotto, an American doll artist.   
• The story of the dolls is that they met in high school and have remained friends.  The "age" of the dolls is in the 28-30 range.
• Six separate fashions will be available for the dolls in June
• The dolls represent various ethnicities--African American, English, Hispanic, Irish, Asian, Italian and German.
• Each doll has crystals in their eyes.
• The dolls are 16" in height.  The stands are butterfly shaped, and a butterfly necklace pendant comes with each doll.  Each doll also has a butterfly charm somewhere on the outfit.  
• There will be a contest this year--the winner of the contest will be sculpted as a real doll in the collection.
• Dolls are being produced in open editions.

Calico Critters of Clover Leaf Corners

• Calico Critters were re-introduced last year in May
• These are tiny, dollhouse-size families of animals--mice, squirrels, dogs, cats, bears, frogs, bunnies, and others. Visit  http://www.calicocritters.com/ for some photos.  Some families of animals will be occasionally retired.
• The critters have gripable hands and are jointed.
• There are charming little dollhouses for the critters.  A cottage sells for $40, a House for $100.  http://www.calicocritters.com/critterhome.htm.
• Rooms full of furniture are available separately for $25 to $32.  
• The critters will be found at FAO Schwarz, Zainy Brainy and Imaginarium in the USA plus other retailers.   

Clea Bella

• This is the premiere year for this fashion doll.
• There will be 2 basic (dancing and acting Cleas) and 4 dressed dolls.  Also 6 outfits and a "London Fair Ensemble Pak" with another six outfits (also available separately).  There are 3 accessory paks and 4 pattern paks.  
• Dolls will retail at $65 for a basic doll and $110 to $155 for dressed dolls.  Fashions will be $35 for the London Fair fashions (see below) each and $55 to $65 for the others.
• Vinyl dolls will be released in August.
• Dressed dolls are limited to 2,300.
• All other items are limited to a one-year production run.
• Ballet dolls will have pointed toes and the legs rotate.
• Arms pop out, and basic dolls come with two differently sculpted/posted  right-arms.  There will be a new arm sculpt next year, also.
• In 2002, Clea will get a bendable, crossable leg.
• Clea dolls sit with their feet together, not splayed.

Coceaux Dolls

• A line of fashion dolls by Anton C. Buencamino.
• Clothes are not removable.
• Dolls are limited to 1,500.

Dawn (Checkerboard Toys)

• Longlocks will most likely be the next introduction in the Dawn doll reproductions series.
• There will be new fashions available in the collectible line.  The outfits are not exact reproductions, but "updates" on the 1970s fashions/
• There will be a holiday doll and a bride doll in the collectible line, available in August or September.
• Dawn is already on store shelves, and Glori, Angie and Dale ship in March, as well as several outfits.  Collectible dolls retail at $25 and $9.99 for fashions.  
• There will be a series of PLAY LINE Dawn dolls--Dawn and three friends.  They will differ from the collector versions, with eyes painted differently, and possibly open mouths.  They will be resculpted just a bit--eyes more forward and will be a bit more coquettish.  Clothing will be newly designed and only cost $4.99 an outfit!  The play line is planned for August/September.
• One of the dolls in the play line will be a hair play doll, with karma beads; another doll will be "Fab Fashion Fun" including a doll and fashion.  
• A possibility for the future (although it is NOT currently in the plans) is an action fashion and concert stage.
• There will be a new Dawn book this year.
• Did you know that Dawn is the #3 doll traded on eBay, after Barbie and Gene?
• There will be a Dawn convention this fall in Chicago--check out www.dawnworld.com for more information.
• Sharon John, the CEO of Checkerboard Toys which produces Dawn played with Dawn as a child and has been a VP at Mattel and V-Tech Toys.  John purchased the Dawn brand in 2000.  

Eden

• Eden produces dolls and toys from many popular lines including Rosemary Wells, Dora the Explorer, Paddington Bear, Zotoomafoo, Little Bear, Ann of Green Gables, Madeline, Franklin, and Arthur (especially DW) and many others.
• Timothy will be added to Max and Ruby in the Rosemary Wells line this year.
• Dora the Explorer is exclusive to Eden in 2001. Since Dora speaks Spanish, the dolls in the line have a nice bilingual aspect.
• Ann of Green Gables is scheduled to be an animated PBS series in the fall.  
• There are cute pouches (like little purses for girls) from Rosemary Wells (Yoko), Madeline, and DW.
• A new Madeline item is the Madeline set with horse and carriage.
• There is also a new dollhouse for Madeline--it has a schoolroom, piano that plays music (music room), a telephone with a French operator and a radio.
• There will be a ballet Madeline this year
• There will be a new soft Christmas Madeline doll this year, and a new 15" soft Madeline with a dog. Also a 15" ballet Madeline.
• Danielle, a friend of Madeline, joins the 15" soft doll line.
• Eden will be offering an exclusive DW line (from Arthur) with FAO Schwarz.

Effanbee

    Brenda Starr

• Basil St. John is Effanbee's male companion for their Brenda Starr fashion doll.  He is quite handsome.  The eye patch is removable. There are three dressed Basils--Basil in his Dinner Jacket, Perfectly Suited Basil and Tropical Paradise Basil (perfect for Sarong Brenda).
• There will be a special Brenda Starr dressed as Marie Antoinette.  She is limited to 1000 pieces and will retail for $186.
• Brenda gets separate accessory paks this year--Travel Time, Night Out (white accessories), Shopping Spree, and Winter White.
• Another special Brenda will be dressed as a Mermaid, and limited to 1000.

    Betty And Veronica

• Effanbee has Betty and Veronica Dolls debuting this year. The dolls are all dressed dolls.  There are cheerleader Betty and Veronica, as well as dolls dressed in outfits from the 60s (my favorite; very groovy!) 70s and 80s.  They will retail for approximately $80. 

    Reproductions

• Effanbee has brought back Little Lady!  She comes in five wonderful outfits.
• Effanbee has a very cute line of their ever-popular Kewpies this year.  There are the Snow White and the Seven Kewpies, a Rainbow Dream Kewpie, and a great set of Kewpies, each limited to 500 pieces, of the Four Seasons.  The Four Season Kewpies each come with a satin-lined storytime book and a miniature accessory.  They are 8" tall.
• More Patsys will be produced, including musical Patsys.  Also, a musical Patsyette.
• Patsy May, a 29" toddler doll joins the line this year.
• Patsy Joan will be retiring after this year, so the Patsy Joan doll is "Farewell To Patsy Joan."
• The Patsy "Winter Fun" collection is very detailed with reproductions of 1920s and 30s outfits.  
• There is also a Patsy "Summer Fair" collection also with reproduction outfits.
• "Suzette" is a new reproduction of a doll popular in the late 1930s.  She is longer and thinner than Patsy. She will be available with a trunk set. The first Suzette trunk set was produced in 1942.
• Dewees Cochran reproductions are new--Cindy is a Dewees Cochran reproduction with a Steiff-like pony. This is from a 1940s photograph, and is limited to 1,500 pieces.

    Other

• New lines of molded felt artist dolls are being produced.  They have detailed costuming.  One of the lines will be a line of Felt Fairies called "Elementals"  which are handmade and retail for $100.  There are six Elementals--sea, sun, shadow, cloud, fire, and leaf sprites.  Each has a presentation box and a gem stone.

Fashion Boulevard

• Doris Mixon is the designer, and Helen Skinner is the sculptor of the new fashion doll Christina St. Clair.
• Other known artists have designed fashions and accessories for Christina, including Mark Middendorf, Charles Josef, and James Bougue.
• This year there will be three dressed dolls and one basic doll, plus many fashions and several accessory paks.

Get Real Girls

• The Get Real Girls are a line of action/adventure based dolls.  The dolls are 11.5" tall, and they have realistic, athletic proportions.  The dolls are intended to inspire self-esteem and personal initiative through real-world adventures.  Each doll also has a personal story that expands via the accessories for the doll and also online.  NEW in 2001 are Tia, a volleyball player and Zoe, a skateboarder.  Also new are the first two Get Real Guys.  They are Piersin who is a skateboarder and Jack who is a shortboard surfer.  Separate accessories unveiled this year include an Adventure Seeker Jeep and a Mountain Bike. 

Goebel Collection of the Masters

• This collection has several well-known doll artists producing dolls this year.  This is the company Richard Simmons is now affiliated with.  Richard has a collection of over 1,500 dolls--its like a museum.  He wants to share his passion for dolls with collectors in an affordable way.
• Artists being featured this year by the Collection of the Masters includes Cynthia Malbon (Emma, a DOTY nominee and others), Maree Massey (Rose's Layette and others), Jodi Creager (12 Elves of Christmas in Resin), Stephanie Blythe (Secrets) Rosemary Volpi (La Befana and others).  

Gund

Harry Potter

• Gund will have one of the FIRST Harry Potter dolls.  This doll is wonderful--OK, I know you are all thinking "Oh no, soft plush Harry, after all this is Gund..." but, no, that isn't the case at all!  The Harry doll is about 12" tall, and although it has an outer layer of fabric, the doll has a hard, poseable frame underneath.  He is beautifully dressed, AND the effect is a bit like a pressed-felt face.    Harry will retail for approximately $25.  AND there is also a WONDERFUL Hagrid doll, plus Fluffy, Hedwig, Mrs. Norris (the cat), the owl, baby Norton, and more.  The entire line is scheduled for shipment this quarter, and Harry is expected to ship in September. 

Hasbro

    Robotic Toys

• New Chis join the Pooh-Chi and Meow-Chi robot family this year, including Chirpy-Chi (bird) Dino-Chi (two types a Pterodactyl and a T-Rex); Robo Baby (I thought this one was just plain spooky, although I do like the others); Petal Chi (great for your desk at the office--a plant that needs love and care but no real light or water!) and Robot-Chi.  The retail price of all are between $24.99 to $29.99 except for Petal-Chi which is $19.99.
• A new, very life-like Robo-dog being offered is called i-Cybie.  i-Cybie has 16 motors and can speak, bark, walk, lie down, shake your hand, perform tricks, follow hand claps, obey a voice, and more.  He matures from putty to dog.  When i-Cybie's batteries are getting low, he will walk over to his charging station and plug himself in for a recharge (now, isn't that clever?).  i-Cybie retails for $199.99 which sounds steep until you see the price of the Sony robotic dog, which is $1,999.  The recharge station is a separate purchase.  Available in May.
• Mutsu.  This is an electronic fish.  I mean, really. Well, at least you can't kill this goldfish.  $24.99, available this summer.
• Shelby.  Shelby is a talking clam.  Its a new type of "Furby."  Shelby comes out in May, for $24.99.

    Shoezies

• Hasbro has a great new product called Shoezies!  These are miniature shoes, 36 styles in all this year (in 6 style groups), and new styles next year.  The mini shoes come in adorable shoe boxes.  I don't know if these shoes will fit the 16" fashion dolls, but there is HOPE--they look like they might fit them!  AND...there is this fantastic SHOEZIES Showplace Display Center which holds 12 pairs of Shoezies brand shoe fashions along with 12 Shoezies shoeboxes. A built-in turnstile display spins to show-off the complete collection.  THIS item is definitely adaptable to fashion doll shoes, and is quite attractive!  The shoes are also attractive--they are "finger-fitting" versions of trendy and funky styles inspired by 7^th Avenue, Venice Beach and the runways in Milan and Paris. 

    Harry Potter

• Hasbro has some Harry Potter items, too!  They have a Book of Spells, which is a personalized electronic encyclopedia on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  Also acts as a quiz game and an organizer.  $24.99, available this summer.
• Harry Potter Quidditch Game. This is a "flying" broomstick--play Quidditch on the dot-matrix LCD screen while you fly around.  $34.99 this Spring.  
• The BEST Harry Potter Hasbro product is, IMHO, Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans (from Candy Caps).
• Wizards of the Coast introduces the new Harry Potter trading card game.  First player to make his opponent's card "disappear" wins.  Will it be the new hot card game after Pokemon?  Third quarter.

    Other

• Monsters, Inc.  This is the new Disney/Pixar movie for the 2001 holiday season. There are some very cute monsters that will be sold as toys, including Interactive Sulley and Interactive Mike.  
• GI Joe will again have a kid-focused line!

Hobby House Press

• New books available this year include a new Dawn book by Benita Schwartz, the 4th Fashion Doll Makeovers book, Miniature Mannequins by Doris Nixon, and The Story of German Dolls from 1530-2000.  A new book on Terri Lee dolls was just released in February.
• Hasbro has a great new product called Shoezies!  These are miniature shoes, 36 styles in all this year (in 6 style groups), and new styles next year.  

Irwin

• A special gift set this year will feature Wicked Lady and Sailor Mini Moon
• Look for Super Sailor Moon (she transforms into Super Sailor Moon with wings) to fight the evil forces of the Negaverse) in June.  Also available in June, is Sailor Saturn with her purple hair.  
• Look for Sailor Moon Bean Bag plush this year.
• Also on the way are "Dressables," new different costumes, and a LunaSphere jewelry box.

JAAKS Pacific

• Josie and the Pussycat dolls from Jaaks Pacific debut in April! The movie will be in theaters April 6.  The dolls have action fashion bodies with 19 points of articulation. They used Real Scan technology that scans the actual actresses 360 degrees to help create the doll--the face sculpt is done from the technology.  Don't miss the FULL article on the dolls: Josie and the Pussycats
• Jaaks will most likely continue the Elle line of dolls (although it is a bit up in the air, so if you love these dolls, let your retailer who is carrying them know!).  If they continue, they will include 3 sets of 3 dolls, including one set focusing on 20s to 50s costumes (the "Perfectly Suited" set) another set called "Glamour Ages (focusing on evening wear from the 1970s to 1990s) and "Second Skin" which will be the follow-up to Walk on the Wild Side.  The Second Skin collection will focus on leather-look, snake-look and other animal skin looks.  This set includes the deluxe set with a trunk and makeup case for 29.99.
• The dolls will get a new, lilac colored box.
• There will be a new Beanie size version of Pound Puppies.
• Real Live Puppy will be introduced this Fall--it wakes up, wags its tail and shakes its head back and forth for $34.99.
• Limbo Legs are new from Jaaks Pacific this year, and they are very cute plush with long, long limbs.

Knickerbocker: Somers and Field

• The line continues with new, in-house designers.
• There will be seven new costumes and 4 new dressed dolls
• Costumes include "At the Chelsea Flower Show," and "The Black and White Ball." 
• Dressed dolls include a very mod looking "Daisy in An Art Opening with Andy and Edie" and Willow in "Fall Collection," a see-through silver number.

Lee Middleton

• The Artist Studios Collection has just been announced.  This is a line of collectible baby dolls.  Dolls for 2001 include: 

• Baby's First Tooth," is the 2001 Collector's Club Exclusive Doll.
• "She's So Sweet" will have production limited to one day--March 1, 2001!
• "Walk In The Park" will be produced for one week only--the first week of May.  These limited production dolls will be marked with her birth date and time of birth.
• The "Elegant Editions Collection" showcases dolls adorned with especially fine-quality materials and elaborate stitchery.  The new dolls in this series for 2001 are "Alexis" and "Elizabeth," each limited to 750 dolls.
• There will be 12 themed doll groups, including Children of the World and When I Grow Up, as well as Birthstone Babies.
• There will be three new Pampers babies
• After this year, the mold for "Little Blessings" doll face will be destroyed and no more made--a first for the Lee Middleton Original Dolls company.

• In the play line, Newborn Wonder and Playtime Wonder play babies debut  "Newborn Wonder" are small thumb-sucking infant girls in various ethnicities and hair colors.  "Playtime Wonder" is a toddler doll which is 20" tall.  

Lego

• Lego will introduce Harry Potter building sets in the fall--finally, Lego that will appeal to girls and moms as well as little boys (not that Star Wars sets don't appeal to some moms....BUT....its nice to have a real cross-over Lego product for once.  

Madame Alexander

Alex

• Many of the outfits for the Alex fashion doll will have working zippers!
• Alex will have bent knees this year!
• "Basic" Alex will be called "Tides" this year.  She will have bendable knees, and there will be three versions, each limited to 2,500--a redhead with blue eyes, a blonde with green eyes and a brunette with brown eyes.  She comes in a gold and white swimsuit.  They are 85.00 each.
• Renowned designer Timothy J. Alberts has designed the "Ocean Drive" collection for Alex.  This collection is for "Alex's Miami Tour" with 6 outfits. 
• Another collection for Alex is the "Woman of the Year" collection--many of the outfits in this collection are perfect for career or for evening wear.
• There will be a limited Mardi Gras Alex (2,000) with a curly-haired upswept Alex in a light pink feathery butterfly gown.
• Paris is the new, AA character introduced into the Alex line in 2001.  She premieres in an orange and blue gown called "Grand Entrance (there is ALSO a Grand Entrance in the Barbie line this year.....).  She is joining the staff of Elan magazine as the entertainment editor.  She is a totally new sculpt.
• Madame Alexander KNOWS that there are customizers out there who enjoy the Alex doll--they have acknowledged this group with their wig set for Alex!
• There are separate accessory paks for Alex this year, including the adorable Book Tour Travel Kit (attaché, day planner, cell phone, keys, watch, bottled water and book) and a purses and shoes pak.
• Tim Alberts designed the Ocean Drive costumes to work together.  ALL the dolls shown at Toy Fair wearing the outfits are  BASIC dolls that have hair that has just been styled by Tim--YOU can do it, too!
• The Christmas Special Alex, Santa Baby, includes an entire environment--the first of its kind for a 16" fashion doll!  The gift set unfolds into an elegant room complete with fireplace, wreath, gold decorative accents, carpet and tablecloth.  The set retails for $229 and is limited to 1,000 pieces.  The outfit is gorgeous--thin silk, and red, and it was designed by Tim Alberts.
• Note some of the hair styles shown on the dolls wearing the Ocean Drive collection in the Toy Fair photo Gallery.  Many of these dolls are basic dolls and the hair was styled to show how the basic Alex hair can be styled, and how versatile it is.

Alexanderkins

• There are many paks of hats, shoes, and outfits available this year.  
• New this year is an adorable set of white wicker furniture for 8" dolls
• The Americana collection this year will include characters of Mary Engelbreit, Ronald McDonald and CocaCola.  
• There is a Collecting Series this year--Collecting Butterflies, Collecting Buttons, Collecting Seashells, Collecting Trains, and, of course, Collecting Dolls.  
• The International Collection gets the following new additions in 2001:  Japan, Scotland, England, USA, Las Vegas, Gypsy of the World, USA, Sacajawea, Japanese Bride, Celtic Bride and African Bride.  Many of these dolls are presented with appropriate accessories.
• 2001 8" Wizard of Oz dolls include Daisy Munchkin, Flower Garnet Munchkin and the Emerald City Guard.
• This year's Cinderella will be Royal Ball Cinderella
• There is a Sleeping Beauty this year
• Tinker Belle joins the Peter Pan set.
• New additions to the Victorian Silk 8" collection include Keepsake Silk Victorian and Vintage Violet Silk Victorian and Pretty Pals Pink and Pretty Pals Ivory.  These dolls have intricate period costumes using the finest lace, silk and cotton.

Cissy

• Cissy has a real "back to the 50s" feel this year.  
• All Cissys are limited to 500 pieces.
• A special trunk set will be available for Cissy (4 outfits; no doll)  The trunk set includes a suit, black dress, lavish leopard coat with jeweled buttons, pink party dress, capri pants with sweater, 3 pairs of shoes, stockings, black gloves, petticoat and a pearl necklace.  Limited to 500 pieces.
• Cissy will have a hatbox set of accessories (black) and a shoe pak of 6 pairs of shoes
• Haute Couture Cissy is limited to 500 pieces (she looks great in the trunk outfits)
• There will be a second Yardley Cissy--"On The Avenue" Yardley Cissy which is a reproduction of a Yardley ad.  Doll wears a lime green suit, a straw hat, and there is a plush puppy.
• Promise of Spring Cissy is a bride.
• Other Cissys include Society Stroll Cissy (AA or Caucasian), Royal Reception Cissy, and Black and White Ball Cissy.
• Some very special, very limited Cissys will be offered this year.  One is a Pompadour Cissy in a 1760 Court Gown.  This doll represents Winter, and the fur used on the doll looks like wolf fur (its fake, of course).  The Fall Cissy will wear a Hunting Outfit, and the Summer Cissy will have a very Titanic-feel silhouette, and is by Laura Meisner.  The dolls sill be offered in editions of no more than 250 to 500, and the designers were told to design without regard to cost.  Another of the dolls, Manhattan Gothic Cissy, by Doug James, is runway and Goth inspired.  With its brown eyes and dark hair, it is very unusual for a Cissy. 

        Eloise

• The Eloise universe is expanding this year! 
• Besides 8" Eloise, there is a 12" poseable ballerina Eloise.
• There will be dance and a tea party line of Eloise.
•  

        Other Madame Alexander News

• There is a darling new line of 5" dolls available this year!  These are called the "Petite Playhouse Collection."  There will be a house, furniture, pets, and more available for the dolls, including accessory and outfit packs.   The playhouse is a fold-out house made of sturdy laminated cardboard.  The furniture sets are soft.
• Madame Alexander licenses include Pippi Longstocking, Clifford, Coca-Cola and others. There will be a 16" poseable cloth doll of Pippi Longstocking this year.
• There will be Mary Engelbreit Cloth Baby Dolls this year.
• There will be Christmas Stockings and ornaments, including a tree topper that lights up with fiber optics!
• Figurines will be offered again this year--many collectors enjoy displaying the figurine that corresponds to a doll with the doll.
• Chloe is a 14" play doll with trendy clothing.  There will be a "Sleep Over" Chloe with slippers and a sleeping bag.
• There will be three 10" Joyce Walsh Anglund dolls--Friend, Love and Joy.
• The Wizard of Oz Collection ads several new pieces this year.  There will bve new miniature 5-inch dolls of Scarecrow, Tin Man, and  Cowardly Lion, plus artstone figurines of Lullaby Munchikn, Miss Gulch with Bicycle and Toto, Winged Monkey, Oz Flower Munchkin and the Apple Tree.    8" dolls include Daisy Munchkin, Flower Garnet Munchkin and the Emerald City Guard.
• There will be a Poppy Field Musical Water Globe that plays "We're Off To See The Wizard."
• An "I Feel Silly" doll based on the "Today I Feel Silly" book by Actor Jamie Lee Curtis is being released.   These are 12 inch cloth dolls which "are the first cloth poseable cloth dolls created by Madame Alexander in 40 years." according to MA chairman and CEO Herb Brown.
• For Christmas, there will be 20" Christmas Stockings!   Skating Maggie Christmas Stocking and Dancing Wendy Christmas Stocking are lavishly decorated, with the dolls on the front.  

        Peanuts

• All new sculpts.  These are 10" dolls.
• Includes Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus and Lucy.  There will also be a 12" Snoopy Huggums.
• $35 to $40 range

Mattel

Barbie:  Play Line

• There will be a series of dolls based on the first full-length Barbie movie ever, "The Nutcracker," to be released in October.  In this movie uses amazing motion-capturing technology.  The dancing is fluid and real, and is choreographed by Pierre Martin especially for Barbie.  There will be an accompanying book from the Pleasant Company.  A Barbie doll will be "The Sugar Plum Fairy" and Ken will be "Prince Eric."  They will come with special dance stands.  Kelly and Tommy shall have several roles as well.
• N Sync #1 Fan Barbie comes complete with NSYNCH specially remixed CD singles!  The doll comes with several accessories, including a backstage pass and autograph book.   They will be available in May.
• Jam N Glam Barbie sports multicolor hair that you can TURN around to change, just like the old Tuesday Taylors.  The Jam n'Glams have flexible middles, and are the follow-ups to the popular Jewel Girl Barbies.  The dolls will retail for approximately $15.
• There is a bus play set for the Jam N Glam Barbies--The Jam N Glam Tour Bus.  The bus folds up and is also a stage, and there is a dressing room with working lights.  The play set retails for approximately $60.
• This year, Barbie doll also gets a "Grand Hotel."  This structure is one of the grandest ever built for Barbie--it has 6 working phones, an elevator, a bed that turns into a vanity, a lovely eating area, a beauty grand salon, a luggage cart, sitting area and more.  It will be available this summer.
• "Starlight Fairy" Barbie doll is reminiscent of the twirling light-up toys available at Disneyland parades.  Barbie's skirt lights up and twirls.  Available in August.
• For the first time ever, there will be Barbie Plush!  A dog and a kitty will come in their own carrying case, with jewels, and they each have 6 sayings.
• There will be a new Career Series in the Barbie play line. Entitled the "I Can Be" Series, the first in the series will be Barbie as a Children's Doctor.  Children and their moms can go together to learn more about careers in a special Barbie.com section, and the parent section on Barbie.com will include additional information on communicating with girls about various career options.
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• Quinceanera Barbie celebrates the special 15th birthday in a Hispanic girl's life.

Barbie:  Collectible Line

• The 40th Anniversary Ken will come with a little replica of the #1 Ken in a replica of the #1 Ken box--similar to the 40th anniversary Barbie with her mini #1 Barbie.
• There will be a Munsters Gift Set this year.
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears is the next in the Kelly and Tommy series.
• 2001 will see the last three dolls in the Hollywood Collection.  Publicity, Cast Party and Day In The Sun
• Grand Entrance Barbie is designed by Carter Bryant.  This doll is aimed at first-time collectors--it comes with information on how to collect Barbie.  She is the first in a new series. 
• Since "In The Pink" is technically a 2001 doll, there may be a high-end Silkstone follow-up to "In The Pink" in 2002.

"Girls" Dolls and Toys

• Diva Starz Pets:  Diva Starz will be getting some Diva cats and dogs to keep them company.  Diva Pets will have some voice recognition.
• There will also be "Diva Minis."  Diva Minis have little sayings and are already on store shelves.
• There is now a larger Polly Pocket that has hair, and a new Fashion Mall Playset for the larger Pollys.
• The regular line of Polly Pockets are getting a Club House this year, and the toy features movement.
• "What's Her Face" dolls"  KIDS ARE CUSTOMIZERS! Mattel has created a NEW doll for children where the child PAINTS the face of the doll, and chooses the hair they want as well!  Nothing like training little fashion doll customizers at an early age!  The dolls are called "What's Her Face," and I predict they will be HUGE come Christmas 2001.  The dolls have no faces--kids paint them on. The dolls have stamps for different features and markers (the markers wash off), and there are wig sets available.  They sound strange, but are adorable.
• Miracle Moves Baby, a new baby doll from Mattel, has a natural, floppy neck.  When you tilt and rock the doll, it starts to sleep. When she sits up, she wakes up.  Skin feels like baby skin, and you can feed her with a disappearing milk bottle, too.  $49.99 in June.
• "Super Scooter Shannon" will travel via a remote-controlled scooter!

Harry Potter

• GRYFFINDOR VICTORY CELEBRATION:  This is a gift set with Collector Dolls!  The gift set showcases an important scene from Harry's life, winning the house cup for Gryffindor.  The collector dolls will feature Harry and Professor Dumbledore in full Wizard regalia.   Estimated retail is $69.99 and it will be available in September.
• HARRY POTTER POLLY POCKETS  Well, when I was jumping up and down with joy saying "Wow!! Harry Potter Polly Pockets," during the Mattel tour my very patient Guide at Mattel kept correcting me and telling me that they are actually called the  "Micro  Hogwarts School Electronic Playset."  Well...OK....BUT this is the most fantastic set of Polly...I mean Micro Playsets I've ever seen!  You get the ENTIRE Hogwarts castle in miniature--this ting is SO amazing--its three levels of amazing fun.  Articulated Harry and friends included.  AND, you can buy small sets that go with it and hook up to it, such as Hagrid's Hut and Platform 9 3/4....There are magical animation, sounds and magnetic movements.  Mini figures are included with the sets.  The Electronic Playset will retail for $49.99 and the additional smaller sets at $12.99.
• ROARIN SNORIN NORBERT:  An interactive Norbert, from the creators of Furby.  He wags his tail and flaps his wings.  He wakes up, and responds to tickling.  Skin is plush and Norbert even sneezes!  When he sneezes, its as if he is breathing fire.  Retail approximately $39.99, and he'll be available in November.
• PROFESSOR SNAPES POTIONS CLASS:  Ok, this toy looked like a rip-roaring hoot.  This toy is a lab-set gone awry--or an Easy Bake oven gone magical!  kids can magically brew drinkable potions and concoct edible treats.  There is a magic wand that stirs potions by itself, a cauldron that makes potions bubble and "boil."  Everything concocted can be eaten or drank!  Available in September for $24.99.
• HARRY'S LEVITATING CHALLENGE: This game was one of the most intriguing Harry Potter games to be shown at Toy Fair.  This game lets children practice their wizardry skills.  The object of the game is to make a ball travel through obstacles.  The ball actually levitates, a and an electronic voice gives children words of encouragement.  There are 10 obstacles and 240 course combinations.  Suggested retail is $38.99 with availability in November.
• THE ELECTRONIC SPELL CASTING PLAYSET:  This playset works with figures and spells that correspond to spell casting stones.  Sort of like a Pokemon battle set, except the figures fight with spells not Pokemon.  Retails for $39.99, available in October.
• McCONAGALL'S TWIG LIGHT TRANSFORMATIONS:  I don't really understand how this toy works--its some sort of a wand.  I didn't see it demonstrated at Toy Fair, but the information I received said something about "Kids can turn out the lights, cast the magic wand and transform their friend into a dragon on the magical scroll...."  Well, sounds like fun, anyway.  $24.99, in September. 
• HOGWART'S THREE-D GAME:  A 3-D game--the board is a 3-D Hogwarts castle.  Looks like lots of fun, but my son said he'd rather have extra cards for the Harry Potter Trivia Game that we already have (based on books 2, 3 and 4).  For $29.99 in September.
• CASTING STONES STARTER GAME:  This is a collecting game--you collect the Casting Stones.   There are 125 casting stones to collect in all through booster paks.  The game costs $9.99 and the booster paks cost $6.99 which sounds steep to me (after all, booster paks of most collector card games are in the $3 range).  
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For Toddlers

• SHOWTIME POOH  tells puppet stories with Tigger and Eeyore while moving puppets.  Available this fall for approximately $35.
• BETWEEN THE LIONS from the PBS series that teaches children to read has several new products, including a Book Bright Lion with a light.
• There is a new Tickle Me Elmo in celebration of his 5th Anniversary.  He is Tickle Me Elmo Surprise  and his tickle spot varies every time you play with Elmo, so you have to find it every time!  Available this fall.
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Mattel Licensed Product

• MR. WINKLE:  I just don't GET this ugly dog, but evidently everyone else does--this um, ugly (oh, OK--adorable...) pooch with his tongue hanging out of his mouth has been billed as the "Cutest Dog In The Universe."  Its an actual DOG, and now you can have a Mr. Winkle of your own.  Mr. Winkle PLUSH is $29.99, has three sounds and a mechanical tongue which is too big for his mouth, just like the real Mr. Winkle.  Available in July.  There are also mini dressed Mr. Winkles for $5.99, and a Mr. Winkle puzzle for $5.99.  If you are now just dying of curiosity, go visit Mr. Winkle at www.mrwinkle.com  
• ROCKET POWER RADIO CONTROLLED REGGIE does skateboard tricks with her radio controlled skateboard.  $39.99, July.
• ANGELICA'S R/C CHATMOBILE: The sassy little Rugrat is the only radio controlled car with a doll.  It has sound and an opening truck, and Angelica says phrases, too.  $39.99, September
• SASSY STYLES ANGELICA:  Angelica comes with three wigs, lots of hair accessories, and of course like just about every other toy this year, she talks.  $19.99, September. 

Playmates    

• Amazing Ally gets a new wardrobe and a kitten this year.  The kitten is plush and it interacts with Ally and also with Maddie, Ally's hip friend.   
• Trolls are back in force as Totally Trolls!  Totally trolls will launch in Fall, 2001, and there will be new waves of trolls every three months.  There will be 24 Totally Troll figures--these trolls have accessories and a passport revealing their names, history and "special powers."  The trolls will have a distinctive message found through their heat-sensitive hands.  Trolls in this series will include Tina LaTwirl (ballerina), Kick Fielder (Soccer), Ms Periwinkle (Teacher), and many others.  These will retail for $4.99 to $5.99
• There will also be Electronic Trolls.  These are 10" tall and they interact through electronic speech--the first time the Troll's voice has ever been heard!  These will be #19.99.

Playmobil    

• A NEW Playmobil dollhouse will be introduced, the "Modern House."  This dollhouse will be released in August, and has a retail of $179.  It comes with 5 rooms and furniture.  Very different from the current Victorian dollhouse, this house has modern touches such as an entertainment center and dishwasher.  
• Christmas items include a Santa and Sleigh, a darling ornament set for a tree, and a $14.99 Playmobil Advent Calendar (each day, the child gets a little Playmobil toy!
• Other new toys that will appeal to doll lovers include the Professional Office Building (where a dentist, pediatrician and others have their offices).

Pleasant Company

    Angelina Ballerina

• Angelina will have a new friend named Alice
• Alice will be available this spring. There will be a new book that introduces Alice.  Alice is a new mouse in town, that Angelina meets at gymnastics.  The book is a story about friendship.
• Another book to be introduced this Spring is "Angelina on Stage." This book introduces Angelina's cousin, Henry.  Henry will be available as a doll eventually.
• This Fall, two more books, "Angelina Ice Skates" and "Angelina's Birthday" will be released.

SpinMaster Toys

• Tickle Secrets Baby is a new play doll.  She has 5 randomized tickle points, and when you find a tickle spot, she tells you one of her 20 secrets.

Tara (Barbie Licensed Products)    

• Tara does many licensed Barbie products, including carrying cases and craft sets.  
• They will be making an FAO Rotating Closet for Barbie this year (approximately $25 to $30 retail).
• A Walk-In Closet will be approximately $19.99
• There is a GREAT laminated retro-look carrying case for Barbie that, alas, will most likely NOT be available in the US.  Big pout.
• Barbie gets her own OVEN this year!  Barbie's "Bake With Me Oven" will be getting a major TV campaign this Fall, so don't be surprised if your child asks for one for Christmas.
• The activity line has lots of fun items this year, including a puzzle maker, bead sets, lipstick crayons (um, these I DON'T like, as a mom...) Glitter Paper Dolls, and more.  A really great set is the T-Shirt maker--your child can design a t-shirt for themselves AND one for Barbie at the same time!  There is also a deluxe Wood Stamp set for $19.99.

Robert Tonner

    Tyler Wentworth

• All dressed dolls with covered arms will have bending elbows.
• Sydney Chase has been introduced as a new character.  She is the owner of the modeling agency, a good friend of Tyler's and a bit older than Tyler.  She built Chase Modeling on her own.  Her parents own Tres Chic magazine, but Sydney wanted her own business.  It was a big day for Sydney when she made the final payment on her modeling agency!
• The knit sweaters for the Tyler Wentworth collection were specially made for the collection and they are in perfect doll scale.
• The special Robert Tonner fashion doll event for the UFDC National Convention in Atlanta this year will be a Sydney event.

    Ann Estelle

• All dolls offered this year are dressed--no new, separate outfits will be offered; however, some of the outfits from the dressed dolls may be available separately.
• Ann Estelle will get furniture this year--a beautiful bed for $70, a toy chest for $35, and a table and chair set for $60.  The painting on the furniture is done in a VERY Mary-Engelebreit style.

    April (From For Better or Worse)

• April will be offered for $39.99, in an open edition.
• Doll has easily removed clothes.  She is a ball and socket doll, not strung.
• Lynn Johnston draws the "For Better or Worse" comic strip.

Susan Wakeen

    Eve

• Eve doll's eyes have been repainted.
• There is a NEW character, Cassie, who is a younger friend (only 18). The Basic Cassie comes in a really lovely white sweater and skirt outfit.  Cassie may be delayed until 2002 due to additional work with her mold.
• The new Basic Eve has bendable legs.

R. John Wright    

• The Flopsy Bunnies are new this year.  Limited to 500 pieces.  Fully jointed, numbered and signed.  The bunnies are NOT attached to the base of the piece.  The Flopsy Bunnies will retail for $1,650.
• Flower and Bug Kewpies are adorable--There is Luna the Lunar Moth and Lulu the Magnolia, at $595 per piece.  Limited to 250.  There is also the Pepper and Crocus set.
• Curious George debuted at Toy Fair, with his Yellow Hat.  He is limited to 1,000 and will retail for $595.
• For The Little Prince Doll Grand Tour, at Toy Fair Mel Odom presented The Little Prince with a OOAK Gene doll from his private collection entitled "Champagne Cocktail."  The outfit was designed by Tim Kennedy.  Mel made shoes for the doll before presenting her to the Little Prince, though, since otherwise he would have been presented barefoot!  Other gifts presented included a jointed cloth teddy bear from Canterbury Bears Ltd., a Kathe Kruse toddler doll from the  Kathe Kruse Doll Company of Germany, and a small-scale wooden rocking horse from Stevenson Brothers from Kent, England. 

Uneeda

• Uneeda has several lines of innovative play dolls, including Cosmic Babies, which are babies from another planet, with real meteorite dust in their tummies!  The dolls have a story behind how they came to earth, and their adoptive names are the names of their child owners spelled backwards!  Some of the babies are positively alien looking--you should see their accessory out-of-this-world bottle!  These dolls also have 4 fingers and toes, and alien colored and shaped eyes.
• Sniffle Sneezy Baby is also new.  The doll is a "get well doll" and has contact points on her nose and ears.  When activated by being touched with her hankie, the soft-bodied doll says phrases like "I don't feel well Mommy," "My ear hurts," and "I feel sick."  When she is rocked, the dolls says "I feel better, Mommy."  The doll retails at $12.99.
• Bilingual Betty is a new doll in a line of educational dolls.  Bilingual Betty speaks two languages (all dolls speak English, plus either Spanish, French, Italian or German).  Alphabet Annie teaches the alphabet, and Samantha Scholar asks 1,000 interactive questions. 

Vogue:  Ginny Dolls

• Darling dressed Ginnys from the "That's Just Ginny" collection shall be available in bunny, cat, chick, and puppy costumes  for $39.95--several of the outfits will also be available separately for $19.95.
• Botanical Babies are Ginnys dressed as your favorite flowers--sunflower, cabbage rose, forget-me-not, oriental poppy, dandelion and pansy.
• The Ginny For President series has been retired, as has Miss 200, The Ginny Snowman, and the dolls in the decades series.

Zapf

• Zapf has a play line of dolls (Baby Born and Chou Chou), a Display and Play line of dolls, and Designer Dolls.   All lines have new items this year.  
• The Designer Collection dolls are made in Germany, and they are made for one year only.  They are sculpted and designed by famous doll artists, and are totally hand crafted.  One new artist, Sieglinde Frieske has a special doll limited to 850 pieces.  Bettina in this line is an AA doll with real hair, and a gorgeous natural fiber outfit.  This line of dolls is being introduced in the USA in 2001, although the dolls were introduced in Europe in 1932 and they are one of the best-selling lines of collector dolls in Europe today.  
• One new line that Zapf is showing is the Baby Softline fabric dolls for infants and toddlers.  These are soft and cuddly and can be babies first doll.  The dolls are machine washable.  Some of the dolls rattle, others play music.
• Maggie Raggies are soft baby and child dolls for children, also new this year. They have velcro hands and are available in 4 sizes.

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