Dolls Talk Back and Kids Respond

“The ideal toy will blend the huggable factor with seamless technology.” — Virginia Uelze, Zapf Creation

Technology has advanced so quickly that baby dolls don't just talk, they talk back. But do kids go for dolls that have a mind of their own? Manufacturers who spoke with TDmonthly Magazine had varied opinions, but even those who incorporated technology in their dolls still emphasized that cuddliness is paramount.

"I believe children want a product that they can talk to and not the other way round," stressed Antoinette Hueber of Europlay/Selecta Spielzeug (Käthe Kruse).

"I think kids want both," countered Virginia Uelze, marketing manager for Zapf Creation (USA). "Kids are becoming increasingly sophisticated consumers … The ideal toy will blend the huggable factor with seamless technology."

"Short term, there may be an attraction to things that move and speak and have lights," pointed out Charles Erdman, president and CEO of Dervish Toys (ToyShow), whose Faery Folk, a line of dolls with accompanying books, Web site and upcoming DVDs, debut in early summer 2006. "But toys with imagination have a stronger offering for both parents and children in the long term, because it stimulates both lobes of the brain."

"Grandparents and parents like the idea of going back to the basics, with something the kids can use for good, wholesome play activity that doesn't require batteries," pointed out Barbara Hock, owner and designer of Candy Box Kids Inc (ToyShow). Her dolls come with a storybook and tape that helps kids enter the dolls' imaginary world.

For Terri Lee Associates (ToyDirectory), batteries and tapes aren't even an option.

"Terri Lee Dolls are an American Classic spanning the 1940s, '50s and '60s — we didn't want to make drastic changes to a proven concept," explained Gretchen McGinnis of Terri Lee Associates. "Terri Lee dolls appeal to the innocence and sweetness of children, with a touch of nostalgia."

Newcomer Paulette Goodreau of Goodreau Doll LLC (ToyDirectory) was clear about what she thinks little girls' preference is: "Cuddly," she stated. "They like to take dolls to bed with them, and rolling over on the hard plastic ones is no fun."

Goodreau, whose quirky collectibles the NONO dolls debuted at Toy Fair, is just about ready to release her new baby line. The small, squishy dolls were inspired by the imminent birth of her twin nieces.

"I wanted a little doll that they could hold and have in the crib with them without suffocating," she said. The boy and girl baby dolls will come in a 7" infant and 14" toddler size. "I'll have them at IDEX," promised Goodreau, "and they'll ship in July and August."

Although Corolle Dolls (ToyShow) won an Oppenheim's Best Toy Platinum Award and iParenting Media Award for their Lila doll, which gurgles, burps, coos and cries, their traditional low-tech babies are their mainstay. Public relations director Maggie Moss Tucker anticipates that the most popular Christmas item will still be the classic Corolle Baby Do in a new "Moses" rattan basket.

"French parents traditionally carry their kids in these baskets, Tucker told TDmonthly. "I think it will be very popular in the fourth quarter because it's more on the high end and grandparents, aunts and uncles will be particularly interested."

Corolle will also soon be releasing their special holiday dolls, which usually consists of one baby doll and one or two toddler dolls, said Tucker.

The Adora Doll Company, which caters primarily to adult collectors despite having an extensive play line, is changing their line — but without technology. At IDEX in Las Vegas this month, they will introduce Sandy's ADORA-ble Friends — 12 new 8" posable international dolls — "to answer our collectors' requests, especially the Adora Club Members who absolutely love the little 8-inch doll in the club kit," explained Adora president David Lin.

Zapf USA is listening to its customers, too, by building on the success of last year's crying Baby Annabelle. Their new Talking Chou Chou toddler doll is even more sophisticated and interactive … and she's even bilingual.

"She speaks whimsical phrases in either English/Spanish or English/French," explained Uelze. A little switch on the back is all that it takes for Mommy to "teach" her baby a new language — and maybe learn one herself.

The doll's speech is triggered by gestures, such as rubbing her tummy, or accessories, including a teddy-bear bib and a changing mat (available separately).

"When you stroke her cheek, she says 'Mommy I love you' or 'You're the best Mommy in the world,'" continued Uelze. "If you take off her bib, she'll say, 'Can I have my little bear now?' or 'Can we play now?'"

Uelze's favorite phrase, however, can only be triggered by the changing mat: "Oooo! Stinky! I need to be cleaned up!"

Whether the dolls talk or listen, manufacturers agree that little girls still want them. Following are the ones they anticipate will be their hits for the holidays: