Editorial Review

Is there no end to what these Disney Princesses can do? Now they're ice queens--in only the most flattering manner of speaking, of course. Ariel from The Little Mermaid pirouettes like an Olympic champ in her shimmery purple and aquamarine tulle costume. Just snap the (admittedly unattractive) plastic belt around Ariel's waist, wind her up, and watch her spin! After the show, Ariel can slip into something more fashionable: a turquoise-ruffed lavender suit with matching boots and over-the-shoulder bag. Ariel's moveable joints allow her to explore many different poses and skating moves, although it's a shame the mechanics of those joints are so exposed. Her long gloves don't quite cover her unfinished looking elbows. The good news is Ariel can now strut her regal stuff underwater and in shimmering ice palaces. --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fab-ulous!
You have to love Formal Funk Eitan. The leopard-print tux is amazing. Can't go wrong with the matching shoes, either. Lots of accessories and a clothes mannequin with six-pack abs holding a second outfit round out this package. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Beautiful! Wish I was a kid again!
I give this toy the higest rating possible.

First of all, it is beautifully made. Unlike most toys today, it is not made out of cheap, breakable plastic, but out of sturdy wood. I was very pleased with how well it was made. It can be moved into different configurations, and is very cleverly made, with very attractive detailing. The horses and people that came with it are also very attractive and well made.

Secondly, it is what I call an "open ended" toy. That is, unlike many toys that become boring quickly because there is only one way to play with them, this castle naturally stimulates creative and fun play that has no end.

To me, this is the best kind of toy, one that engages your child and encourages them to make up their own stories.

And this is a toy that I can join a child in playing with, too, as we make up stories together.

This will be a toy that will last for years, and that will be a favorite for years. Wish I had had this when I was a child!

great castle!
This is a great toy! It's well made & sturdy. My 2 & 3 year olds love it, as do any other kids that visit. I can see it lasting for years to come. Well worth the price.

Best Castle Ever!!!
This is my son's favorite toy - bar none! He plays with it all of the time and with the included figures and all of his other action figures. There is so much for him to do with it because it unfolds to about twice the original size! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Wing problem
My four year old daughter wanted this and the mermaid doll. I bought both and am sorry I did. The mermaid review is on that site. This dolls wings will not flap unless it is being held at a certain angle. Within one day - one of the wing spokes that plug into the back is already broken, the fabric that hangs down is tore and there is glitter all over my daughter and the house. I do not recommend this doll for any child with an imagination as it will be a disappointment.

Great for the Imagination!
My 3 yr. old saw these on t.v. and went nuts. She really wanted the blue one, which I have not been able to find anywhere, but she settled on the purple one instead. She loves it! It really prompts her to use her imagination. She uses it to play with her other fairy tale barbies, but she also use it with other toys because it's so versatile. I mean, you can use a fairy in any scenario! Anyway, bottom line is, it's been a lot of fun for her.

freaky!!!
weird!!! this is the strangest thing ever since bratz catz came out!!! and those are weird...

a purple barbie??? no... i would never get it. i would rather just get those creepy bratz catz!!! but hey don't get me wrong... i love bratz!!! just those cats... ugggggly!!!
hope this helps!
p.s. if u have no idea what a cat thing is then just look up: bratz catz!!!

little girl fun
My three year old daughter won't put these sparkle fairies down (she has purple and pink). The wings actually move and there are really no clothes to lose (only the skirt and shoes come off, the top is "sparkeled on"). They are different and you can tell your child fairy stories to go with them.

Beautiful!
This doll caught my eye the moment I saw it at the store. After all, you don't see many dolls with purple skin and hair. There's glitter all over her skin and her "top" is made of glitter. She's simply enchanting. A wonderful doll at a great price! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Edgar Bergen once said, "Ventriloquism is one of the oldestforms of entertainment. It was practiced by the ancient Greeks... why,ventriloquists were even found up among the Eskimos!" To which CharlieMcCarthy responded, "They weren't found up there, they werechased up there!" Charlie McCarthy makes a timely reappearancehere as a 31-inch working Celebrity Ventriloquist Doll. Charlie'simmaculate hair and features are painted on, and his transparentplastic monocle is removable, as is his velvet top hat. Beneath asatin-trimmed, black tuxedo coat, Mr. McCarthy sports a white shirtfront and white satin bow tie. While not the classic tailcoat he worein the 1940s, his jacket has a straight hem that does an admirable jobof disguising the string that controls his jaw. A hidden string pull atthe back of his neck works his jaw; it seemed stiff, but its tendencyto pull his head back was easily worked out with some practice atpositioning the doll. Charlie would make a terrific gift for yourfavorite theater buff or aspiring ventriloquist--and he cuts a dashingfigure sitting on a bookshelf or bedstead. Simple instructions for thebeginning ventriloquist are included. --Julie Ubben ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Dummy of mc
I have one of my onw and thes is so cool to see one as good is thes my dummy dos not havw the glass eiy or hat!!

Love'm to Death!
He is my new best friend.
He will make children go to bed when you want them to.
May you all that decide to adopt him have long and interesting conversations.

Nice doll
This is a nice doll if you like charlie McCarthy. As a working ventriloquist doll, it doesn't work very well. Good ventriloquist dolls have you stick your hand inside it. This one has a string to pull, and head keeps bobbing.

I liked the doll, but for decoration.

A BIG HIT!
I bought 3 of these for my grandkids for Christmas. They had so much fun talking to each other. The doll comes with a booklet that explains very simply how to throw your voice. My grand daughters wanted a girl doll which are hard to find in a basic beginners doll so I made a wig and glued it on, added some eyeliner with a flair pen and made some new clothes.

I still love Charlie
I've had my C.M doll for well over 12 years..My mother gave it to me as a xmas present when I was "about" 11 years old.. I am now about to turn 25 and and have a 1 year old... Although I have lost several accesories and his jaw no longer works ( it stays open)this is clearly one of the only toys that has lasted me so long.. Even my 1 year old loves Charlie... He is very well made and would make a great gift for someone of any age( over 3).. since I no longer have his small parts (eye lens, hat, shoes) it is safe for my son... I don't plan of ever getting rid of him, as a matter of fact I was consodering getting him fixed. But it would probably be cheaper to just get a new one..Either way this is a great toy w/ years of durability and enjoyment. ... Read more

Editorial Review

These not-so-distant cousins to the Bratz dolls, which are a phenomenal success among the pre-teen set, are aimed at girls a few years younger who possess a funky sense of fashion. Selected as one of Dr. Toy's Ten Best Toys for 2004, the 4-Ever Best Friends dolls are destined to be just as much of a hit. This collection includes Noelle, who is chillin' out in fashionable low-rider camouflage cargo pants, a cropped T-shirt with a "No Boys" logo on the front, and a fur-trimmed leather vest. Her best friend, Brianne, is also decked out in the hot fashions of the season, sporting a denim mini skirt, knee-high stockings, and a fur-trimmed cargo coat with a lace cami peeking out from underneath. The dolls hold hands in friendship and come with fun accessories, such as a boombox, polka-dotted cups, and slices of pizza. These dolls also come with two charm bracelets that girls can share with their real best friends to show that they're true buddies. The dolls and accessories are packaged in a heavy plastic case that converts to a backpack for easy carrying. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Really cute.
I recently bought this for my neice.
It is a cute set and worth the price.
It even comes with a charm bracelet for the lil' girls to wear. :-)

We Love Ponies!
My girls thought this was the perfect addition to their Pony collection.I agree that it is a great value for the price - 3 ponies - Lulabelle, Spring Breeze and Dainty Daisy - and enough accesories for them to have a spring picnic.

Very Impressive
My daugther recieved this for her 6th birthday and I was surprised to see how much STUFF it came with!! You get A LOT for $14.99 and the "basket" they came in was really cute! She just started getting My Little Pony stuff and I've been very impressed with everything she's recieved so far!

Great Toy
I haven't actually got this toy, but i'm hoping to get it at easter. It contains all that you need to make your own little pony shop, and you can use the objects with any other my little pony toy, as they are the same scale. ... Read more

Editorial Review

With bright eyes and outstretched arms, this adorable Cabbage Patch Kid is ready for lots of hugs. Like all of the Cabbage Patch Kids, she arrives with her very own birth date, adoption certificate and name, making her a unique collector's item--in addition to being a great playmate. Measuring a full 16-inches from head to toe, she comes with a full set of removable clothes, including a blue denim jumper, long-sleeve shirt, socks, sturdy plastic shoes, and a realistic diaper that can also be removed during pretend diaper changes. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Lovely!
She is lovely. I think she is one of the prettiest dolls Mattel has created for the price range. My little niece adores hers, and this is the first doll that hasn't had her shoes removed immediately and her hair is still nice, even after three weeks. That is a long time for a four year old.

I'm sure once the newness wears off, my niece will begin playing with her. At this price I can get her another one to save since she likes her so much.

who would call this toy rose pinkette?
this is a collectors item, and should not be posessed by 12 year old children unless they are responsible... like me

a cultural, lovely doll.
this doll was a wonderful thing, for me to see in a store. it really teaches kids about other cultures, and other places in the world. it really made me think of england, and other beautiful places in the universe. i do not have this lovely doll, but i named her rose pinkette. i think its a lovely name for a lovely doll.

I love cultural dolls...
I just love dolls like this one so much to Learn about their countries, Is just too good to be truth, but wait a minute is TRUE is the best doll I ever bought for myself (and Im 20 years old) If you have the opportunity just buy it...

Lovely English princess!
Princess of England is a very pretty interpretation of a historical era. Her pink gown resembles like a famous portrait of Elizabeth 1 before she was queen. Her crown has a silhouette like the gable hood of Henry VIII's reign, a nice touch. The wide, square neckline, very full over-sleeves and full skirt represent the general style of the Tudor era nicely. On the back of the box, the doll pictured has full golden undersleeves which are fastened with tight cuffs at the wrist. Technically, this would be more historically correct than the tight, pointed undersleeves on the actual doll, but this is a rather small detail. Honestly I thought the her skirt looks and feels slightly cheap, but a proper brocade would be too expensive for a doll that retails at about $20! It is not a major flaw in my mind. She comes with dark rose colored high-heeled half-boots (same style as Princess of Denmark), not historically accurate but cute and a nice accessory to this costume. Besides, Mattell has only so many shoe molds and these shoes are a welcome change from the flats that don't stay on the doll's feet anyway!

Her face is lovely, with light golden brown eyes, rather natural looking brown eyeshadows, and muted dark pink lips that suit the costume. Her hair color is actually slightly paler than it looks in many photos of the doll, and is very soft and silky.

Her costume is not meant to be removed. The doll's dress is sewn on, and her crown is sewn to her head. This is not an easy doll for redressing, that's why I gave it 4 stars for playability. Also, you might like to know that arms are permanently bent, they are not jointed at the elbow (but this shows off the sleves better than straight arms anyway).

Overall, a very good doll. For a $20, it is surprisingly accurate and her lovely, stately appearance makes her a good value and a must-have for collectors of this line! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great for Imagination
I purchased this for my 5 year old and it's provided hours of imaginative fun for several children ages 5 through 11. There are several electronic features which have been fun for her to discover and have encouraged even more play. Well worth the money.

my kids LOVE this toy
This is a really cute toy. My 4 year old daughter has played with it every day since she got it for Christmas. She has even gotten her brother to be interested in it with her. Definately worth buying.

friendship pony stable - lots of fun
My daughter adores horses.I would be surprised if there were many
girls with more horses/ponies than she has.She asked Santa for this as soon as she saw the Fisher Price catalogue. She loves it.
She has the whole collection and plays for hours at a time with
them. She knows all their names and has the greatest pretend parties and school days with them. Great to stimulate their imagination.

Not for everyone!
My daughter got this for her 3rd birthday. I read her the book several times, and that was her favorite part of the toy. She played with it for about 15 minutes and then wasn't interested anymore. I think this toy would be great for a little girl who shows interest in ponies. Perhaps my daughter is not at the right age to act things out, but I felt that her options with this set were limited, and there was not much she could do with it.

She loves it!
I gave this toy to my little girl for her 3rd birthday. What she really wanted was the My Little Pony celebration castle but after reading the reviews on that toy, I couldn't see myself buying it. I think this was a good substitute. First of all the toy seems very durable, no flimsy pieces on this toy. There aren't a whole bunch of small parts to lose (the toy comes with just a few accessories and actually has a place to store them). My daughter plays with Comet the pony that came with the set, as well as Twinkles (an accessory pony) and also all of her other ponies including her my little ponies. The only thing I have negative to say about this set, is that Haley the little girl isn't a very good rider! I think she could have been designed a bit better so that she would stay on the horse! I think my little girl will have hours of joy with this delightful toy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

MORE BARBIE FUN!!
I purchased this toy as a Christmas gift for my 5-yr-old...but my 3-yr-old appreciated them so much more. Really cute to see her all dressed up with the Barbie sunglasses, and carrying a purse. It's really a riot; the keys makes noises when you push a button exactly the way a real car alarm would.

Really a cute, fun toy...and inexpensive!!

DYB ... Read more

Reviews (16)

relax people
people calm down its just a doll. granted she looks like she has nothing on but still. i don't think this will teach women to be smart or confident so kill that. because when you dress nasty people treat you that way yet its just a doll. halle berry by the way is half black and half white, not that it should matter.

Shame on all of you haters
(...) its 2004 and people should celebrate their sexuality and beuty. Girls need a positive rolemodel who is indipendent and secure in herself. (...) michelle phfiffer made catwomen sexy and dark in the 90's and halle berry is making her confident intelligent and beautiful today. Halle is an amazing women and chooses her career choices not based on money but rather on how she feels the project will touch people. as a fellow actor and strong supporter of the film catwomen in which i was involved i feel outraged at the amount of bashing halle has endured. Shes a hardworking women and deserves more props then the hatred many of you have exuded. You all can choose to support a man like michael moore who bashes our commander in chief, but you bash the life out of Ms. Berry who is helping women find their confidence again. I find it appauling! I think the catwoman film will do just fine due to the many supporters who understand the film's powerful message of self-empowerement and overwhelming sense of confidence in one's self. Many of you need to re-think what you say. I think girls need catwoman now. I think we all need someone like catwoman right now. We need hero's to look up to. Rather then bashing halle we should congratulate her on being a succesful african american women.

Response to "Grow up People, Enthusiast"
To respond to the reviewer who claimed that people who don't like this doll have a problem with the "ethnicity" (how sad to revert to that old argument when disagreed with) I am wondering what ethnic group a Catwoman belongs to?

You people are over reacting
The parents who have rated this toy badly are being silly. I mean come on it is a toy. It is not a career choice as a stripper. And what is so wrong with bondage Just beause you people are to closed minded to accept that things are different. You really need to look at things for what they are IT IS A TOY.

Grow up People
I find all the reviews very interesting. All the individuals that find this doll appauling must have a problem with the ethnicity of the doll. I'm sure that several of you who have opposed the doll have let your children watch R-rated movies with sex & violence. IT'S A DOLL, NOT A PERSON!!!! I would love to know what you think of the Chinoiserie Barbie, does she inspire a child to become a Geisha with her extremely short red dress. Or what about the Lounge Kitten collection what's the career inspiration for that? Toys are design to spark the imagination not chose or determine a childs future. That is the responsibility of the parents & educators. ... Read more