ZAINY BRAINY FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY:  More problems in the retail toy industry.  Zany Brainy has filed for bankruptcy protection in federal Bankruptcy Court yesterday, listing more than $100 million in estimated liabilities.  Troubles for Zainy Brainy, a specialty toy retailer, included a costly acquisition of Noodle Kanoodle last year, as well as a costly, failed internet toy venture.  And,  softer Beanie Baby sales didn't help the Zainy Brainy bottom line in the last few months.  None of Zany Brainy's 187 stores will be closed in the near future as the company reorganizes under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code.  For more information, see the article at Philly.com.

KB TOYS BUYS E-TOYS ASSETS:  Brick-and-click toy store KB Toys announced Friday that it has purchased the Web site, name and logo of defunct toy e-tailer eToys at a bankruptcy auction for approximately US $3.35 million. The eToys site currently tells visitors that it is closed and no longer accepting orders, but soon visitors will be automatically redirected to KB Toys' Web site, KBKids.com.

DOLL CITY IN ANAHEIM TO LOSE THEIR LEASE?  Several messages in the AOL message boards have stated that doll City in Anaheim, California is going to have a large sale due to loosing their lease. I have not been able to confirm this, but I wanted to pass this on.  Doll City is a popular stop for doll collectors visiting Disneyland (the shop is over 6,000 square feet) and it would be a shame if it loses its location.

RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY WANT THEIR 15 MINUTES OF FAME:  Raggedy Ann fans worldwide, had a new "cause celebre" at this year's 12th annual Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival in Arcola, Illinois, hometown of Raggedy creator Johnny Gruelle.  During the festival, held on May 19th and 20th, a petition was circulated to get Ann and Andy into the Toy Hall of Fame.  Ann and Andy lovers felt that following last year's record-size celebration and Raggedy's 85th birthday, it would only be fitting that the lovable icon should be inducted into The Toy Hall of Fame, but yet again she was excluded.  In reaction to this feeling of injustice, the Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum is spearheading a grass roots effort for Raggedy Ann's inclusion on next year's inductee list, which includes the petition.

It all began on March 28th, when the National Toy Hall of Fame announced its new list of inductees. Fans were disappointed to find out that Raggedy Ann was passed over for the second year in a row. Even NBC's "Today Show" has aired segments urging that she be inducted. Determined to start an early campaign for her inclusion next year, the Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum, along with the Gruelle family and Raggedy's sizeable worldwide fan club have started a petition to gain formal recognition by The Toy Hall of Fame for this American icon. 

The petition will begin circulation in Arcola, Illinois, and will travel around the country with several ways for Raggedy supporters to take part. In addition to the usual crafts and festivities, fans attending the Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival in Arcola will have the opportunity to participate in activism by autographing the petition located on festival grounds. Those who could not attend can  log-on to http://www.raggedyann-museum.org to sign the on-line petition. Or, they can mail letters urging the National Toy Hall of Fame to include Raggedy to the following address: Petition for Raggedy Ann c/o The Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum, P.O. Box 183, Arcola, IL 61910. 

For the past twelve years, a group of over 15,000 Raggedy admirers have gathered to commemorate the spirit of the world's best-known sister and brother rag dolls, Raggedy Ann and Andy, at the annual Arcola Festival. Last year, a record number of over 20,000 fans celebrated Raggedy Ann's 85th birthday and viewed for the first time the new Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum, which showcases the characters' influence on American popular culture for the past eight decades. 

Raggedy Ann has recently been voted Number three of the top 100 dolls of all time in "Doll Reader,." and Raggedy Ann was chosen as the number two doll in the top 10 dolls of the Century at About.com.   Raggedy Ann & Andy have starred in numerous books, comics, cartoons, movies and even a musical. 

NEW BARBIE DOLL RELEASES:  According to The Doll Attic, Cher is just starting to be released, as well as the porcelain Scarecrow dolls.  Most of the Lisette and Fashion Model #3 doll orders have been processed.

DOES THIS BARBIE COME WITH FRIES AND A SHAKE?:   A new Barbie and Kelly set that has been recently releases is the "McDonald's Fun Time(TM) Barbie & Kelly."   To help kick-off the unveiling of McDonald's Fun Time(TM) Barbie, Barbie put on her famous McDonald's Crew uniform and help Ronald McDonald serve up smiles with a visit to the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House and a donation of toys and Happy Meals to families staying there. They will be joined by LA-area school children who will experience the joy of "giving back" as they participate in a philanthropic donation by exchanging their used toys for a new McDonald's Fun Time Barbie or Ronald McDonald doll. In support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, (RHMC) Mattel's Girls Division is making a donation to the Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide, which includes 207 Ronald McDonald Houses in 18 countries. 

The new Barbie doll proudly wears the colorful McDonald's crew apron and yellow t-shirt with red color and sleeve trimming. She also sports the red McDonald's hat with the famous arches logo on the front and is wearing shorts with white socks and red tennis shoes. A plastic cash register and plastic food tray are also included. As Barbie doll serves a McDonald's meal to little sister Kelly doll (also included), girls can play out working and eating at their favorite restaurant in a complete giftset. McDonald's Fun Time Barbie and Kelly is available now nationally and retails for approximately $15.99. 

JAKKS PACIFIC TO ACQUIRE 21st CENTURY TOYS:  JAKKS Pacific Inc. recently announced that it intends to acquire the business of 21st Century Toys Inc., the Alameda, Calif.-based designer, manufacturer and distributor of 12-inch toy military action figures, accessories and vehicles.   21st Century Toys manufactures and markets military action figures, accessories and vehicles under its own trade names, including The Ultimate Soldier, America's Finest, the Ultimate Soldier XD, The Villains and The Ultimate Soldier 32X. 
According to Stephen Berman, president and chief operating officer of JAKKS Pacific, it is expected that 21st Century Toys will be integrated into the company's Action Toys division, which currently consists of World Wrestling Federation(R) action figures and Road Champs(R), the company's extreme sports and vehicle brand.  JAKKS Pacific is a multi-brand toy company that designs, develops, produces and markets toys and related products under various brand names (including Flying Colors(R), Road Champs(R), Remco(R), Child Guidance(R), in multiple product categories including: Wheels, Action Figures, Crafts/Activities/Stationery, Infant/Pre-School, Writing Instruments, Plush and Dolls such as the popular Elle fashion dolls. 

NEW CHAT ROOM--NEW CHAT TIME:   We have a NEW chat room--its lots of fun and easy to use!  The chat room allows for all sorts of fun things--sounds, emoticons, and easily adjustable chat fonts!  Come help us inaugurate the room.  The chat room is open 24 hours a day, and its free!  Just invite your friends in any time, or stop by to see who's there! Don't miss our NEW Official Chat Time--Wednesday nights at 8:00pm Pacific, which is 11pm Eastern, 10pm Central, 9pm Mountain.   http://collectdolls.about.com/mpchat.htm. 

TOY FAIR LINKS:  In case you missed the Special Toy Fair Edition of About Dolls Daily, with news on Harry Potter, Dawn Dolls revival, Shoezies. Cosmic Babies, Josie and The Pussycats, Elle dolls, Little Lady; Betty and Veronica and MORE, here is the link: Toy Fair Special Edition Of About Dolls Daily.  PLUS,  More Toy Fair Coverage: Toy Fair News  contains news from Toy Fair organized by doll company. Recently expanded, with TONS of companies covered with their doll and toy news for the year!!

Toy Fair and IDEX Main Page and  Photo Gallery

Toy Fair and IDEX Links

About Dolls Daily Archive:
May 10, 2001:  Christmas Kellys; Fashion Model Barbies 2001 Selling Out; Theriaults on Incurable Collector.
April 24, 2001:  Power Puff Girl Barbies; Josie and the Pussycats; Hasbro and Mattel loses; Robert Tonner Convention; Dutch Treat Auction. 
April 12, 2001:  Easter Baskets changing; Photopoint to Charge for Services; Barbi site is a no-go.
April 4, 2001:  Barbie Fashion Model News; iDolls goes out of business; glasses for dolls and kids are IN! 
March 28, 2001:  Eminem dolls banned; Ken turns 40--a humorous look; Bobble Head Dolls are big; doll pattern charity program.
March 15, 2001:  Another Artist Folds, Spindles and Mutilates Barbie; The Over-Teching of Toys; toywhypayretail.com is gone.
March 7, 2001:  Tyler Wentworth and Barbie Fashion Model Sell-Outs; Theriaults Themed Ten2Go Auctions.
March 1, 2001:  Harry Potter Dolls Shown at Private Toy Fair; Naked Barbies; Japanese Dolls
February 21, 2001:  Barbie Nutcracker Movie; Twiggy Doll, MORE!
February 15, 2001:  About Dolls Daily from Toy Fair, Edition Two
February 13, 2001:  About Dolls Family from Toy Fair, Edition One (includes 2/5 Pre-Toy Fair Edition).
January 30, 2001:  Live IDEX update--news on all your favorite fashion doll lines and much more! 
January 23, 2001:  IDEX Preview--Clea Bella, Christina St. Clair and more!  Plus, site with sewing measurements for your favorite large fashion dolls. 
January 18, 2001:  New, higher eBay listing fees; eBay keeps Buy It Now; eToys really struggling; Are smart toys making kids dumb?
January 12, 2001:  GENE gets a male companion; more Gene 2001 news; Theriaults Auction News and Review
January 6, 2001:    Update from Theriault's Auction Weekend:  Automata; Antiques Auction.
December 30, 2000: Theriaults Auction Weekend; History of Fashion Dolls in Barbie Bazaar Magazine warehouse.
December 16,2000:  2001 Fashion Model Barbie pictures; Treasure Trove Of Vintage Toys found in Government Warehouse; Kitt Kittredge sold out 
December 7,2000:  Ferrari Evening Barbie; Power Puff Girls BAD; new Clip Art; No Toy Home-Run for This Year's Holiday Season

Click HERE for the 2000 Doll News Archive  

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

Be a Roving Reporter!! Become a Roving Reporter and write a report on a doll event!  Or, do you have a doll event to promote, a new doll to announce, or an updated web site?  Please e-mail me at collectdolls.guide@about.com and put "Newsletter" in the subject line--For events, please give me 7 to 10 days advance notice (at minimum!) in order to have your event appear on time. Some events will also/alternatively appear in the Events Calendar.

Do You Have Dolls For Sale Or Trade? Did you know that you can place FREE classified ads for your dolls for sale or trade (or, dolls wanted) in the Doll Collecting Classified Forum?  Dealers, collectors, everyone welcome; feel free to link to your eBay auctions as well!  Visit the Dolls Forum to find out how to place your ad; if you are not yet a member, click on GUEST, but you will need a free Forum ID to place your ad.

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