By: NewNaturalista
I received this email from NewNaturalista follower and friend April:
“So as I’m beginning my XMas shopping and (my daughter) has asked for an American Girl that looks “just like” her.
I am soooo frustrated by the fact that I can only seem to find African American dolls with STRAIGHT hair. American Girl has become a HUGELY popular brand and yet they are alienating girls who have natural hairstyles and glamorizing “relaxed” hair. I mean, seriously, how naive is this company?”
I feel April’s pain and frustration. Last Christmas I bought my daughter American Girl twin babies because they were the only dolls in the line with curly hair. For some reason none of the other dolls in the brand have that hair.
I have an idea about this. During my unscientific study (watching younger family members, my friend’s daughters and remembering myself as a child) I think part of the issue is that we are conditioned to believe that combing the long silky hair of a doll is a big part of the fun.
I believe however, if there were more dolls with kinky/curly hair out there more parents would buy them, and the girls would play with them.
What do you think?
In the meantime here are a few favorites I found out there!
Karito Kids
Who wouldn’t love this beautiful little doll? I mean look at her! We did a story last year on Karito Kids awesome work (click here) This little girl’s name is Lulu, from Kenya.
Lulu $88 on Amazon
Hasbro Baby Alive Doll
This little cutie is for the nurturer…and her little curls are adorable! The set is $99 on Amazon
Hasbro Baby Alive $99
BFC, Ink Fashion Dollpack – Calista
Calista is fly! The price can’t be beat either. $9 bucks on Amazon
Calista $9 on Amazon
Corolle Les Cheries Doll Cecile
Shhhh, my daughter is getting this doll for Christmas. The face, the hair, the clothes – this doll is just too cute. $30 bucks on Amazon
Corelle Les Cheries $30
Fibre Craft – Black Hai
This doll comes the closest to the American Girl doll look – and the price is much better @ $18 bucks on Amazon. It’s gotten great reviews.
Black Hai $18
Madame Alexander Doll – Oh So Groovy Collection
American Girl doll clothes fit her! $36 on Amazon
Madame Alexander $36
Fisher Price Loving Family Sister and Brother
These two cuties are part of a larger family unit. All of them have kinky/curly hair and ethnic features. Go Fisher Price! $13 on Amazon
Fisher Price $13
Manhattan Toy Groovy Girls, Latasha
Manhattan Toy company does a great job representing different cultures. They even have black dolls with different skin tones! $14.58 on Amazon
Manhattan Doll, LaTasha $14.58
Playskool Dressy Daisy African American
Meet Daisy, an alternative to the Raggity Ann doll! Her yarn hair resembles locs! $32 on Amazon
Daisy $32
Barbie
Last but not least Barbie has a fro! Ok, well not exactly – but this retro doll is so adorable for your child or the collector in you! $21 on Amazon
Classic Barbie $31
Headline photo courtesy “Saffy” Flickr
8 comments
Margaret says:
Nov 29, 2010
Toys R Us also has a new line called Journey girls, they are really cute! They also have their own line of Madame Alexander dolls (as does Costco) and Target has the My Generation doll.
Tamara says:
Nov 29, 2010
I think American Girl has two African American girls with wavy-ish hair, but none with kinky curly hair. I had a similar prob with finding a AG doll that looked like my daughter. She ended up getting one with brown skin, but it didn’t look like her. Thanks for sharing all the other brown dolls there are out there. I love the first one and am gonna check her out.
Loretta Boronat says:
Nov 29, 2010
My Sibling and My Pal dolls are reasonably priced alternatives or companions to American Girl and other 18″ dolls. We have dolls (both BOY and girl) with curly hair. In very limited quantities, I have boy and girl African American dolls. Our program benefits teens and adults with disabilities.
admin says:
Nov 30, 2010
@Loretta, thanks for sharing. Nice to see dolls with a purpose!
admin says:
Nov 30, 2010
@Margaret, thanks for the info!
So where do I buy a natural doll? says:
Dec 9, 2010
[...] from the company and instead are seeking out other options. The New Naturalist put together an excellent list of dolls more reflective of natural hair styles including those with locs, curls, twist, braids, and [...]
Elaine says:
Dec 14, 2010
Wow, thanks for the good information, I did not think to look on the Amazon site for the dolls of color. The thing is being of color we come in all different colors, sizes, and hair type. I don’t think all back dolls hair has to be kinky all the time, remember girls like to comb their dolls hair a-lot. I like Corelle Les and the Manhattan doll.
Duluth Garage Door Opener Repair says:
Jan 10, 2011
which may be quite interesting. It presented me a few ideas and I’ll get writing them on my blog soon. I’m bookmarking your blog and I’ll be spine. Thank you again!