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	<title>LI Kids &#187; Dolls</title>
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		<title>2010 Holiday Guide: Hot Holiday Toys</title>
		<link>http://www.li-kids.com/2010/12/10/2010-holiday-guide-hot-holiday-toys/</link>
		<comments>http://www.li-kids.com/2010/12/10/2010-holiday-guide-hot-holiday-toys/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:00:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dom and Ash</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dolls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guides]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holiday Picks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holiday Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Must Haves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2010]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Board Games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Building Sets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children's Gifts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gift Guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holiday Guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hot Holiday Toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Presents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Check out our selection of totally awesome, hot holiday toys for the 2010 Holiday Season]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Some of the most exciting and the most frustrating portions of the holiday shopping occur when shopping for toys. There is nothing greater than knowing that you got that special toy for your little boy or girl. That being said, there is nothing more nerve-wracking than not knowing what to get them. With loads of options this year, we have done our best to narrow down the field so that you can have a stress-less holiday that includes the perfect toys for every good little boy and girl on your list!</p>
<p><font size ="5"><strong>For the Little Mommy/Daddy</strong></font></p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Lovable Look-a-Like Doll" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/LovableLookaLike.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="214" /></p>
<p><strong>Loveable Look-A-Like</strong><br />
These dolls are awesome for all the right reasons. They might not look like something your child would initially take to, but if they have anyone in their life that they miss or wish was with them, the Loveable Look-A-Like could be the perfect solution! On the outside, the Loveable Look-a-Like dolls are androgynous and rather basic. They have on a white shirt and some jeans, which makes them perfect for both boys and girls. It also makes it perfect for turning a doll into your child&#8217;s favorite person no matter who they are. You just take a picture of your child&#8217;s favorite person or the one they miss the most and iron it onto the doll&#8217;s face. This is absolutely perfect for young kids that have parents in the military. We had a young reviewer check this out for us and we put her daddy&#8217;s head on it, because he is away in the war. Alexis pointed out that the head looked kind of funny (it is ironed on, after all), but it reminded her of her daddy and for that reason alone, she loved it.</p>
<p>We received the <a href="http://www.loveablelookalike.com/www.loveablelookalike.com/catalog_i11215685bb06.html?catId=66228">Do-it-Yourself Doll Kit</a> which was easy to handle and its cost effective at $25. Loveable Look-A-Likes also offers personalized kits for $10 more or $15 more if you&#8217;d also like a personalized t-shirt. Either way, this is a great gift for children that have recently lost someone or have a parent that is currently away from home.</p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Little Mommy Play All Day" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/LittleMommyPlayAllDay.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="400" /></p>
<p><strong>Fisher Price – Little Mommy Play All Day</strong><br />
If you know a little one that wants to be a parent (boy or girl) this is going to be a fabulous toy for them and it will be sure to make their holiday brighter. The Little Mommy Play All Day also works as an excellent toy to get back at a friend or sibling. Just give it to their child and watch the parent pull their hair out. This only works if they do not like toys that produce excessive amounts of noise, so keep that in mind, if you&#8217;re purchasing solely for revenge. The Little Mommy Play All Day is a talking baby doll that has plenty to say! She is motion activated so if you so much as nudge her she is talking! The one we received even speaks in Spanish occasionally, though I am not sure if that makes her defective or if they all do that. In fact, she knows up to 50 phrases and responses to basic play activities like rocking, flying like a birdie, and dancing. The doll takes 3 AA batteries, but they are already installed, so you will just need more for later. Alexis loves this doll so much she wants to play with her all day. </p>
<p>With that in mind, I am sure that $35 is more than a fair price for the <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=900002&#038;e=storeproduct&#038;pid=54611">Little Mommy Play All Day</a>!</p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Katya Precious Baby Doll" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/KatyaPreciousBabyDoll.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="363" /></p>
<p><strong>Precious Baby Doll &#8211; Katya</strong><br />
Precious baby dolls allow your child to adopt a baby from another destination. While it&#8217;s nice to have a doll that shares the same features, it&#8217;s even better to have a doll that is unique. Precious baby dolls are absolutely gorgeous with fine details down to a tee and a sweet baby smell that is reminiscent of real children. We received <a href="https://www2900.ssldomain.com/preciousbabydolls/order/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5">Katya Irina</a> to check out and I fell in love with her. Our child reviewer, of course, feels the same way! </p>
<p>Each Precious Baby Doll is 17 inches long and has a cloth body with arms, legs, and has a face made of vinyl. The hands and feet even look real, which goes to show the amount of fine detail put into each doll. All babies are dressed in accordance to their culture/home location. Each doll (there are currently four to choose from) costs $69.99. In addition to the dolls, books about the dolls homeland are also available. Each book costs an additional $9.99. With or without the books these dolls are highly recommended. They are so beautiful it almost seems like a crime to let them be toys, but knowing the joy a child will get from one of these dolls makes it a worthwhile gift consideration. </p>
<p> The <a href="https://www2900.ssldomain.com/preciousbabydolls/index.html">Precious Baby Dolls</a> are our most expensive doll option on this guide this year, but they are also the most precious and well crafted in the bunch, too. The folks over at Precious Baby Dolls want to extend our readers a special deal, which makes this holiday gift even sweeter. You can use the following coupon code to get an additional $10 off on each doll:</p>
<p>Katya doll = 1000<br />
Kimberly doll = 1500<br />
Sophia doll = 2000<br />
Li Ming = 2500 </p>
<p><font size ="5"><strong>For the Little Professional</strong></font></p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Kidzsack" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/Kidzack.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="310" /></p>
<p><em>&#8220;The Budding Artist&#8221;:</em> &#8211;  <strong>Kidzsack</strong><br />
Kidzsack is perfect for the kid on the go that likes to color and has an artistic streak. This great back sack comes in a variety of designs and includes eight washable markers so your kids can create the perfect scene for the moment. Then when they are ready, they can wash it out (or you can, of course) and start all over again. In the meantime, they can use the bag to carry their favorite possessions when they are out and about. Whether they are going to school or to a friends house, the Kidzsack can transport all of the items they need. They can even toss their markers in there and finish coloring their bag in the car, if it&#8217;s not completed when they leave the house. If you&#8217;re looking for an inexpensive, but fun, eco-friendly gift idea for kids, you should really consider Kidzsacks. Not only are they practical, they are lots of fun, too. </p>
<p>The main <a href="http://www.kidzsack.com/products.html">Kidzsacks designs</a> include Jungle, SeaLife, Sports, and Castle. There are plenty of custom designs available as well to suit the taste of most children. You can pick up a Kidzsack for $23.00, which includes shipping and handling charges. This might be a bit pricier than your average book bag, but this is one that your child can create and re-create as the mood strikes. The artistic quality alone (and the eco-friendliness) makes it well worth the purchase!</p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Zillionz Savings Bank" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/ZillionzSavingsBank.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="344" /></p>
<p><em>&#8220;The Banker&#8221;:</em> <strong>Zillionz Savings Goal ATM Bank</strong><br />
If your child uses a jar or standard piggy bank to hold their money, the Zillons Savings Goal ATM Bank might be something that they would enjoy greatly. There are a number of great things about this bank. First off, it teaches your kids about ATMs and banking. It&#8217;s always a nice lesson to let them see that the ATM isn&#8217;t an endless money pit and that you need to put money in to get it out. If they have siblings, this is always a great way to keep the money safe and hidden, as you need the credit card and pin number to deposit the money and to get it out. CT loves banks like this, so we knew we had to check this out. It ends up being a great solution for kids that are saving up their money for something and it allows them a little independence in handling their money, too, which is a good thing. Some people have had problems with change being miscounted, but we have not experienced this issue. It ends up being both a practical present for older kids and a fun, amusing toy for younger ones. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EULXG6?tag=notaspunnyasj-20&#038;camp=0&#038;creative=0&#038;linkCode=st1&#038;creativeASIN=B000EULXG6&#038;adid=1TMNAJADNGGWDSXN9BF8">Amazon</a> has the Zillions Savings Banks available for just under $30. If you&#8217;re hoping to buy something for a younger child I would recommend looking for something else, as the Zillions Bank is not going to be as popular with the kids that just want a toy and not a safe way to handle their money. However, if you have a child looking to keep track of their dough and have a safe way to do it, this would be perfect!</p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="One World Futbal" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/OneWorldFutbal.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="258" /></p>
<p><em>&#8220;The Sports Star&#8221;:</em> <strong>One World Futbol</strong><br />
I could say plenty of great things about the One World Futbal. I could talk about how it seems sturdy enough to last for life or how great the blue color is. I could even go into the fabulous concept behind the futbal and why I feel the way I do. What it all comes down to though is that your kids are gonna love this! From a purchase perspective, you can&#8217;t go wrong with this ball. It will never go flat even if it is punctured because it is made using state-of-the-art technology that requires no stitching. It also carries the same rebound characteristics of traditional soccer balls.</p>
<p>However, the real reason to buy a One World Futbal has little to do with the pretty color or the durability (though these are certainly nice reasons). More importantly, when you purchase a ball for yourself, someone else receives a ball through an organization that helps people in need. So, buying one of these balls for your budding sport&#8217;s star means that someone in a third world country or another impoverished area will also receive a present, as well. </p>
<p>Purchasing a One World Futbal is simple. Just visit the <a href="http://www.oneworldfutbol.com/Products">One World Futbal</a> website and you can purchase them right there. The balls are listed for a price of $39.50, which secures a ball for you and one that will be sent to charity. Two One World Futbals for under $40 is not a bad deal at all. In fact, it&#8217;s one of the best on this list!</p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Pro Mini Hoop" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/ProMiniHoop.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="382" /></p>
<p><em>&#8220;The Sports Star&#8221;:</em> <strong>The Pro Mini Hoop</strong><br />
The SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop is by far the best constructed and most durable mini-hoop I have ever seen for home use. While I was not expecting much for this relatively inexpensive product, I am happy to say that this really does appear to be a mini basketball hoop. Basketball fans will absolutely adore this whether it&#8217;s for a younger child needing some excitement in their bedroom or some older kids wanting to have some dorm room fun. Sporting a shatter-proof backboard and a spring-action breakaway rim this is the closest thing to real basketball you&#8217;ll find inside a house. The backboard can take shots with ease and the rim won&#8217;t break should you decide to practice your jump shot. The weakest part of this set is the basketball and even that is fine, should you decide to keep the one that comes with the set. Everything you need construction-wise is included, with exception to the pump required to inflate the basketball. </p>
<p>You can learn more about the Pro Mini Hoop or other <a href="http://sklz.com">SKLZ products</a> by visiting the SKLZ website. The Pro Mini Hoop is available on the site for just $29.99 or if you&#8217;d prefer a larger backboard you can opt for the Pro Mini Hoop XL for just $39.99. </p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Road Rippers RC Motor Muscle Car" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/RoadRippersRCMotorMuscleCar.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="312" /></p>
<p><em>&#8220;The Roadster&#8221;:</em> <strong>Road Rippers RC Motor Muscle Car</strong><br />
Perfect for car lovers of any age, the Road Ripper RC is suited for kids seven years old and up. These great remote control cars come in a small variety of popular car models and various colors. We received the yellow car from the various product options and it was a hit with everyone in the house. The best thing about Road Rippers is the level of realism that you will find here. These babies have working radios, lights that come on and off, and realistic sounds. They are controlled completely via a remote control and they are simple to use. If you have a boy (or girl) that loves cars and is growing up, but isn&#8217;t too old this would make a great gift. Toys like this are still toys, but they are a little more adult, so the kids can&#8217;t say you&#8217;re treating them like babies. They will love it and chances are, so will you.</p>
<p>Road Rippers RC cars take three AA batteries for the remote, which are included in the box. You will need an additional four AA batteries for the car, so you might want to keep that in mind. You can learn more about these cars at the <a href="http://www.toystate.com/our-toys/road-rippers-rc/">Road Rippers</a> website. The Road Ripper RC cars are available at most major retailers for under $30.</p>
<p><font size ="5"><strong>For the Little Builder</strong></font></p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Knex NASCAR 88 Car" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/KnexNASCAR88.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="400" /></p>
<p><strong>NASCAR 88 Amp Energy Car Building Set</strong>:<br />
Knex offers some of the coolest building products on the market. Whether you&#8217;re five years old or 25, Knex has something inventive and challenging for you to create. This building set, the NASCAR 88 AMP Car, was made for budding race fans. Kids interested in NASCAR and current fans of Dale Jr will really enjoy building this stock car and playing with it when it is all done. The Knex NASCAR 88 Amp Energy Car includes 100+ K&#8217;NEX bricks, rods and connectors, as well as wheels for push play. There is also a Dale Jr. K&#8217;NEX-man to complete the set! After all, it wouldn&#8217;t be a true 88 car without Dale Jr!</p>
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<p>You can learn more about the Knex NASCAR 88 Amp Energy Car Building Set at the <a href="http://www.knex.com/nascar/product.php?pc=36007">Knex website</a>.  According to the Knex website the 88 car is suitable for ages five years and up. You should be able to find this in stores that sell Knex including the Knex site, which has it listed for just under $15.  </p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Knex Speed Demon Coaster" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/SpeedDemonKnex.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="400" /></p>
<p><strong>K’Nex Speed Demon Coaster</strong><br />
Unlike the 88 car, the Speed Demon Coaster by Knex is suitable for someone nine years old and older. Standing over three feet tall, the Speed Demon Coaster includes over 625 colorful K&#8217;NEX pieces, including a coaster car, motor, chain lift and track. That&#8217;s right, this is a fully working coaster! I don&#8217;t know who enjoyed this more, the kids or the adults. I suppose it didn&#8217;t matter, the point is that everyone truly enjoyed it! It takes some time to build but that is because it&#8217;s just that big! The instructions are easy to follow and are color coded so there shouldn&#8217;t be any problem putting this together. Once it&#8217;s together your kids (or the adult that gets this bad boy) can watch the coaster car move to the top of the peak only to fly down through 19 feet of twists, turns, and loops!</p>
<p>Available for only $30 the Knex Speed Demon Coaster is definitely a bargain! You can learn more about the Speed Demon on the <a href="http://www.knex.com/building_toys/speed_demon_coaster.php">Knex</a> website. The website should have a link for purchasing, but you shouldn&#8217;t have a hard time finding these locally at stores like Walmart and Target.</p>
<p><font size ="5"><strong>Miscellaneous Goodies</strong></font></p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Glide Shuffleboard" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/GlideShuffleboard.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="343" /></p>
<p><strong>Glide Table Top Shuffleboard</strong>:<br />
I know what you&#8217;re thinking. Shuffleboard?!? For kids?!? I thought that too, until we received the Glide Shuffleboard. Suitable for pairs of players or teams ages six years old and up, the Glide tabletop Shuffleboard game will have kids and adults competing and having a ball! Zabazoo offers plenty of unique gifts for the whole family. Glide comes with four different colored stones that you slide along the four foot long board. The rules are the same as traditional shuffleboard and it will take some talent to ensure that you knock our your opponents with ease. Whether the kids win or lose though they are bound to have loads of fun. Parents will also appreciate the easy cleanup and the ability to have this out or fold it up and keep it up and away unless in use. </p>
<p>You can learn more about the Glide at the <a href="http://www.zabazoo.com/glide.php">Zabazoo</a> website. The Glide is available at numerous stores online, including Amazon where it can be found for $24.99. </p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Z Wind Up Toys" src="http://www.literaryillusions.com/photos/ZWindUpToys.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="400" height="178" /></p>
<p><strong>Z Wind Up Toys</strong>:<br />
The holiday would not be complete without some uniquely fun and totally outrageous stocking stuffers. I remember a time when parents would use the stocking to add all those little gifts that wouldn&#8217;t go over well if they were wrapped up. You know, things like shampoo and toothpaste. Well, if you must you can still add those things, just throw in a few Z Windups and it will transform your child&#8217;s stocking into something fun and exciting for them! As they plow through the deodorant and the chewing gum, a few of these windup toys are guaranteed to put a smile on their face! <a href="http://www.zwindups.com/">Z&#8217;s Windups</a> come in a variety of designs that are sure to please every child in your house. </p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.zwindups.com/store/">Z&#8217;s Windup store</a> will give you a clue as to just how many options are available. At around $5 a piece (some toys are more or less), these make a great inexpensive addition to the stockings in your home. Some personal Windup favorites include <a href="http://www.zwindups.com/store/cc-wind-ups-larry-slider.html">Larry Slider</a>, <a href="http://www.zwindups.com/store/cc-wind-ups-cookie-gingerbread-man.html">Cookie</a>, <a href="http://www.zwindups.com/store/z-windups/swimmers/tubbies-ferris-bath-tubbies-frog.html">Ferris</a>, and <a href="http://www.zwindups.com/store/z-windups/land/tomy-wind-ups-basie-dog-w-bass-drum.html">Basie</a>!</p>
<p>We hope that this list has helped you to complete your shopping this year. If you&#8217;re looking for other gifts make sure to check out our other guides and suggestions! </p>
<p><a href="http://www.li-kids.com/2010/12/10/2010-holiday-gift-guide-yummy-food-for-the-season/">Food</a></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Holiday Toy Review: Liv Dolls &#8211; Alexis</title>
		<link>http://www.li-kids.com/2009/11/28/holiday-toy-review-liv-dolls-alexis/</link>
		<comments>http://www.li-kids.com/2009/11/28/holiday-toy-review-liv-dolls-alexis/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:54:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashtyn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dolls]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[African American]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Liv Dolls]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.li-kids.com/?p=2686</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am not a huge fan of Barbie because I find her to be too overhyped and overpriced. Likewise, I don't like Bratz because they were a little too...advanced for my taste. Now it's time to look at Liv. We received Alexis and I have to say...I kind of like her]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There have been plenty of dolls on the market, but no matter what, when it comes to the plastic doll on the go, none have been able to beat the Barbie. Bratz tried, but I found them to be a little too skanky for me. After the lawsuit concerning the dolls they were taken off the market and since then there has not been much of a stir of any doll competing with Barbie. However, now there are the Liv Dolls. Liv Dolls are well made, fairly realistic looking for a plastic doll, and they are fun. </p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Liv Dolls Product Image" src="http://www.li-kids.com/photos/LivDolls.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="450" height="450" /></p>
<p>How much or little you consider them to be a positive idea of a role model for your child will depend on you. You won&#8217;t find any of the four Liv Dolls to have the motivations of a Barbie. The Liv dolls are teenagers and Barbie is supposed to be a grown woman. It&#8217;s hard to compare the two. While Barbie is already set in her career path, as a doctor, lawyer, or astronaut, the Liv Dolls want to be pop stars and fashion designers (like most teen/tween girls) and are interested in working at the mall when they aren&#8217;t hanging out with their BFFs or doing their school work. </p>
<p>When you buy a Liv doll it comes with an access code that gives you access to the doll&#8217;s online world at <a href="http://www,LivWorld.com">LivWorld.com</a>. Here kids can check out the diaries for each doll and do other fun things. This is only one of the ways that Liv differs from Barbie. One of the things that I was most fond of was the ability to change the look of the Liv dolls. </p>
<p>Alexis, the doll that we received, is the African American of the group. I picked that doll specifically though it was not my intention. I thought she was the cutest of the four dolls actually and later figured it out. Based on look the only real clue is that she has a darker skin tone than the other Liv Dolls. I liked the fact that they made her realistic and in a lighter tone. Many dolls made for African American girls either are incredibly dark or light skinned, Alexis is somewhere in the middle making for a nice change.</p>
<p>A nice feature for parents is the ability to save a little bit of money by buying one doll (to begin with) and buying accessories. Alexis and the other Liv Dolls come with some basic accessories like a fashion outfit and both long and short wigs. You can buy additional wigs separately, as well as outfits and other perks for the dolls. </p>
<p>On the other hand, a nice feature for the kids is the fact that Liv dolls are poseable. They aren&#8217;t stuck in that stiff position like some dolls. They even stand on their own. It makes it more fun for kids because the dolls are able to be moved with more realism. Once you get to a certain age, bouncing Barbie along to make her walk and the fact that she can&#8217;t really stand on her own gets boring.</p>
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<p>Liv has made a fan out of me. The purchase price of roughly $20 for one doll with a cute, age appropriate outfit and two wigs is not bad. Furthermore, the fact that the kids can do more with them and can access Livworld.com to learn more about each of their favorite dolls makes it worthwhile. If you&#8217;re going to be looking for holiday toys and you have a child that likes dolls, you might want to consider Liv.</p>
<p><strong>Holiday Recommendation Rating:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars</p>
<p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Liv+Dolls" rel="tag">Liv Dolls</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Website" rel="tag"> Website</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Barbie" rel="tag"> Barbie</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Alexis" rel="tag"> Alexis</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/African+American" rel="tag"> African American</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Teen" rel="tag"> Teen</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Tween" rel="tag"> Tween</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Dolls" rel="tag"> Dolls</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Doll" rel="tag"> Doll</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Holiday" rel="tag"> Holiday</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Age+Appropriate" rel="tag"> Age Appropriate</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Recommended" rel="tag"> Recommended</a></p>
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		<title>Birthday Bash Review: Smooshies</title>
		<link>http://www.li-kids.com/2009/07/31/birthday-bash-review-smooshies/</link>
		<comments>http://www.li-kids.com/2009/07/31/birthday-bash-review-smooshies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:24:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashtyn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Building]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dolls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Birthday Bash Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creativity Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kid Friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Make Your Own Monster]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smooshies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Velcro]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.li-kids.com/?p=2336</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Smooshies are a fun creativity inducing toy similar to a Mr. Potato Head, but made of cloth and constructed with Velcro pieces. Most kids will enjoy the crazy creations they can make, but if you're looking for an everyday toy this might not be for you]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Manufacturer:</strong> Creativity Inc.<br />
<strong>Price:</strong> $5.99 Body + $1.99 per Accessory<br />
<strong>Buy this Toy at:</strong> Michael’s or Jo-Ann’s</p>
<p>Doing Lil B’s birthday bash has exposed me to a number of fun and awesome toys that I probably would not have learned about, otherwise. One of those toys comes from Creativity, Inc and is known as a Smooshie. A Smooshie is a stuffed toy, of sorts, that allows kids the room to design their toy however they want. They can make a normal looking stuffed friend or they can whip up a monster in no time. It’s fun because it allows the kids to change the Smooshie’s look whenever they feel like it. It’s hard to get bored when your toy is constantly changing an evolving. </p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Lil B with the Smooshie" src="http://www.li-kids.com/photos/LilBSmooshie.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="450" height="435" /></p>
<p>Before we get into the meat and bones review, I want to say that I think this is an adorably fun toy. I am all for creative play, so I thought this was great. It reminds me of a cloth Mr. Potato Head almost because you can completely rearrange the look whenever you want. Still using the Velcro tabs, this goes a step further by allowing you to move the hair, arms, and legs rather than just swapping them out for other designs. The Smooshie is also cuddly too, which gets it a few extra points.</p>
<p>The biggest downside here is that there is likely to be a limited age range. Young kids are going to adore this, but it’s not going to be something that an older kid will pick up more than a few times. Still, if you’re shopping for the young ones and want something creative that will keep them busy in the car and on the go, this might hit the spot.</p>
<p><img alt="Pros and Cons Button" src=http://www.li-kids.com/img/procon.jpg class="alignnone" width="210" height="40" /></p>
<p><strong>Pros:</strong><br />
Fun for parents and children<br />
Promotes Creativity<br />
Promotes Independent Play<br />
Works well as a gender neutral toy<br />
Inexpensive add-ons available<br />
Endless possibilities of what the kids can make</p>
<p><strong>Cons:</strong><br />
None that come to mind</p>
<p><img alt="Fun Factor and Overall Appeal Button" src="http://www.li-kids.com/img/funfactor.jpg" width="320" height="40" /><br />
Lil B had plenty of fun playing with his Smooshie. As you can see from his video, he whipped something up pretty quickly. I teased him as he proclaimed…”That’s the best I could do,” but he managed to come up with a few designs once the camera was turned off. We both had a ball playing with this. He likes how you can change it around and make new designs with just a press of some Velcro. Parents will like that you can buy add on pieces for next to nothing. </p>
<p><img style=' display: block; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;'  alt="Lil B with the Smooshie Take 2" src="http://www.li-kids.com/photos/LilBSmooshie2.jpg" class="aligncenter" width="450" height="435" /></p>
<p>The only downside is that this is not something that Lil B chooses to play with at all times. There are toys that are considered his “go-to” toys that he always wants around him and then there are things that he plays with occasionally. This is an occasional toy. Considering the price that isn’t too big of an issue. However, if you’re looking for something that will receive everyday use you might want to look for something else if your child thrives on activity and more boy-oriented toys. This would be perfect for the creative, artsy kids though.</p>
<p><img alt="Bottom Line Button" src="http://www.li-kids.com/img/bottomline.jpg" width="175" height="40" /><br />
When you consider the creative, fun nature of Smooshies, they are going to be great for some kids. More active boys and girls may not be in love with them, but kids that like building toys or toys like Mr. Potato Head, which offer some artsy expression and freedom, will like them quite a bit. Parents will enjoy the excitement in their child’s eyes when they make some new creation. </p>
<p>This is a fun, rainy day activity and great for some quiet, independent play. The price is also very reasonable, though it will add up as you add more accessories, which ups the fun level. The good thing is that you can start out small to ensure they will like their Smooshie and then add accessories when you can.</p>
<p><strong>Price:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Durability:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Ease of Assembly:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Fun Factor:</strong> 3.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Child Readiness:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Lasting Appeal:</strong> 2.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Overall Rating:</strong> 4.14 out of 5 stars</p>
<p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Smooshies" rel="tag">Smooshies</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Creativity+Inc" rel="tag"> Creativity Inc</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Toy" rel="tag"> Toy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Make+Your+Own+Monster" rel="tag"> Make Your Own Monster</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Velcro" rel="tag"> Velcro</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Birthday+Bash+Review" rel="tag"> Birthday Bash Review</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fun" rel="tag"> Fun</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Kid+Friendly" rel="tag"> Kid Friendly </a></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Toy Review: Hannah Montana’s Hannah Summertime Doll</title>
		<link>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/20/toy-review-hannah-montana-summertime-doll/</link>
		<comments>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/20/toy-review-hannah-montana-summertime-doll/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:57:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashtyn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Action Figures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dolls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Disney Channel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[doll]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hannah Montana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Miley Cyrus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Summertime Series]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surf Shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.li-kids.com/?p=259</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You have to be living under a rock to not know who Hannah Montana is. Of course, if you’re like me you’re living a happy existence under that rock, but that’s for another day and another article. We recently received a batch of Hannah Montana Summertime toys for review. You can find the reviews of ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright" style="border: 7px solid black; margin: 2px 9px; float: right;;  float: right; padding: 4px; margin: 0 0 2px 7px;" src="http://www.li-kids.com/photos/hannahmontanahannahdoll.jpg" alt="Hannah Montana Doll" width="250" height="392" />You have to be living under a rock to not know who Hannah Montana is. Of course, if you’re like me you’re living a happy existence under that rock, but that’s for another day and another article. We recently received a batch of Hannah Montana Summertime toys for review. You can find the reviews of <a href="http://www.li-kids.com/2008/05/26/toy-review-hannah-montana-oliver-summertime-doll/">Oliver</a> and <a href="http://www.li-kids.com/2008/05/14/toy-review-hannah-montanas-lilly-summertime-collection-doll/">Lilly</a>, as well as <a href="http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/06/toy-review-hannah-montana-summertime-surf-shop/">Rico’s Surf Shop</a> through their respective links. This is our last of the huge summer line of Hannah toys for review. Surprisingly enough, it is also my least favorite of the bunch.</p>
<p>The other Summertime dolls showed amazing attention to detail and though I was not a fan of the show, series, or even Hannah Montana, I was impressed with the dolls as a whole. Now, I will admit that there is plenty of detail put into the Hannah doll. However, the doll does not particularly look like Hannah at all. That is, unless, of course, you are going solely on the blonde hair thing, which if you are, then they look like twins! Regardless of my distaste for Hannah and this particular doll, chances are, your kids will love her if they are Hannah fans.</p>
<p><strong>Positives &amp; Negatives:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Positives</strong><br />
-Realistic<br />
-Inspires Creative Play<br />
-Doll is Durable<br />
-One of a Set, So Multiple Additions are Available<br />
-Comes with Multiple Accessories<br />
-Well Made<br />
-Lots of Detail</p>
<p><strong>Negatives</strong><br />
-Has Small Parts, so may not be good for Younger Children<br />
-Doesn’t Look like Hannah Montana when compared to the other Dolls<br />
-Clothing and Accessories Appear Flimsy</p>
<p><span id="more-259"></span><strong>Pricing &amp; Availability:</strong><br />
Considering this is one of the most popular series for younger children in recent years, I am going to guess that you should be able to find Hannah and her friends at most major (and minor) stores that sell toys this summer. This is set to be one of the hottest toys of the summer, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding it online or offline. If you are planning to shop online, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZM1YBC?tag=notaspunnyasj-20&amp;camp=0&amp;creative=0&amp;linkCode=st1&amp;creativeASIN=B000ZM1YBC&amp;adid=12N8J3ZGFGM8P46ETVCH">Amazon</a> has this doll for around $11 with free shipping on orders over $25. This is especially convenient if you’re planning to purchase the set of dolls, or the Surf Shop in addition to Hannah.</p>
<p><strong>Requirements &amp; Instructions:</strong><br />
The great thing about buying dolls is that as a parent your job is about as minimal as it gets. All you should have to do is take the doll and associated accessories out of the box and let your kids have at her. This is a great creative toy, so your child shouldn’t need any help from you, unless you want to offer some help or you decide to sit down to play with them and Hannah. Otherwise, they should be able to run fine with this on their own. Your child will be able to put Hannah in a number of settings, based on the play/scenario they are wishing to achieve. Of course, Rico’s Surf Shop would be one of the most popular options, if you choose to pick that up along with the dolls.</p>
<p><strong>Durability:</strong><br />
While the doll itself is quite durable, there are some issues here that need to be discussed. If you have a younger child, under the recommended age of six, you should avoid buying this Hannah doll. There are numerous small pieces and if your child doesn&#8217;t swallow them, there is a good chance that they will lose the pieces. Unfortunately many of these pieces are not durable at all, so if Hannah’s bangle bracelet ends up on the floor, you could step on it and ruin it without even knowing it was under your feet.</p>
<p>Older brothers could definitely ruin Hannah’s outfit, as well. The belt that is attached to the shirt could easily be ripped off, the shirt itself is a more flimsy material, and the pants (which are not the same length on both legs) are rather soft in the material department, too. This is probably the most disappointing part of this doll. As a parent, you want your child to end up with a realistic, money-worthy representation of your child’s favorite Disney star. Unfortunately, this Hannah doll doesn’t hit the mark where it should. Of course, the good news is that there are numerous other Hannah dolls to choose.</p>
<p><strong>Ease of Use:</strong><br />
Hannah is just a regular doll. If you’ve seen a Barbie you know just what to expect because it’s just about the same thing. Your child shouldn’t need any help thinking of ways to enjoy this doll. She would make a perfect addition to play at the beach, around the pool, or in any summer setting. She has all the necessary rock star gear with her, as well, so she will be suitable for indoor play and in any concert setting that your child can dream up.</p>
<p><strong>Fun Factor &amp; Overall Appeal:</strong><br />
The Hannah Montana Summertime doll is dressed in a sky blue, dual layered tank top with ruffled edges at the bottom. The tank top has an attached, gaudy, brown belt. The design on the shirt has a guitar, butterflies, and flower petals, with the words “Secret Pop Star” written on it. She’s also wearing a pair of white, sparkly hot pants, matching sky blue heeled sandals with straps, two silver bangle bracelets, and silver hoop earrings.</p>
<p>Hannah comes with a guitar (of course) with an over the neck strap, a hairbrush, a purse, flower sunglasses, and stickers. There are plenty of accessories, so your child should have a lot of fun dressing her up and having Hannah perform for her friends. Your child might not have as much fun playing with Hannah Montana as she might with the other dolls in this set, merely because she doesn’t look that much like Hannah. If your child is over six and a fan of the show, she might be able to overlook the flaws and still have fun with this doll. I just wish that the quality here was as good as the other dolls in this series.</p>
<p><center><!--adsense--></center></p>
<p>Being that Hannah is the favorite character in the series for most girls, it seems like Hannah would have  been made with the most attention paid to detail. The girls I had review this doll were mildly disappointed that Hannah did not look as realistic as Oliver. They had fun playing with her, but it was obvious by their immediate reaction that they enjoyed the realism that the other Hannah dolls have in comparison to this one.</p>
<p><strong>Bottom Line:</strong><br />
When it comes to an inexpensive toy, this Hannah Montana doll isn’t so bad. It’s not the best doll I have seen and it’s certainly not the best Hannah Montana doll in the bunch, but it has its good qualities. There are loads of accessories for your kids to play with and the addition of the other dolls and the Surf Shop will remove the obviousness of Hannah’s flaws. Despite its misgivings, this toy is recommended.</p>
<p><strong>Price:</strong> 4.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Durability:</strong> 3.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Ease of Assembly:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Fun Factor:</strong> 3.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Child Readiness:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Lasting Appeal:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Overall Rating:</strong> 4.08 out of 5 stars</p>
<p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Summertime+Series" rel="tag"> Summertime Series</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Hannah+Montana" rel="tag"> Hannah Montana</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Miley+Cyrus" rel="tag"> Miley Cyrus</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Doll" rel="tag"> Doll</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Surf+Shop" rel="tag"> Surf Shop</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Disney+Channel" rel="tag"> Disney Channel</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Toy" rel="tag"> Toy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Children" rel="tag"> Children</a></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Toy Review: Fabulous Fancy Nancy Dress Up Outfit – Party Dress</title>
		<link>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/18/toy-review-fabulous-fancy-nancy-dress-up-outfit-%e2%80%93-party-dress/</link>
		<comments>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/18/toy-review-fabulous-fancy-nancy-dress-up-outfit-%e2%80%93-party-dress/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:15:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashtyn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dolls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[3 and Up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[doll]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dress Up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Durable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enjoyable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fabulous Fancy Nancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fancy Nancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Girls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heart Socks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jakks Pacific]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Party Dress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Puppy Slippers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Purple]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Role Model]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Target]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.li-kids.com/?p=250</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Once you have the Fancy Nancy Doll, it’s only a matter of time before your little one will be requesting that Fancy Nancy has something new to wear. The clothing that she comes with will provide plenty of play, but once your kids see the gorgeous outfit options available for Nancy it will be hard ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright" style="border: 7px solid black; margin: 2px 9px; float: right;;  float: right; padding: 4px; margin: 0 0 2px 7px;" src="http://www.li-kids.com/photos/FN_PartyDress.jpg" alt="Fancy Nancy Party Dress" width="250" height="304" />Once you have the Fancy Nancy Doll, it’s only a matter of time before your little one will be requesting that Fancy Nancy has something new to wear. The clothing that she comes with will provide plenty of play, but once your kids see the gorgeous outfit options available for Nancy it will be hard for them to deny their precious doll the idea of a wardrobe all her own.</p>
<p>As I mentioned in the doll review that I had done, Fancy Nancy was one of my favorite toy reviews to date. When we had played with her, I brought out some new clothes for her to wear just for this review. Of course, with her being brand new, the clothing wasn’t necessary at that point, but for review purposes we pulled it out and settled in for a day of fashion fun with Fancy Nancy.</p>
<p><strong>Positives &amp; Negatives:</strong></p>
<p>Positives:<br />
Adds additional play to main toy<br />
Good quality<br />
Kids will love the inclusion of this item in their toy arsenal<br />
Mix and Match-ability</p>
<p>Negatives:<br />
Could be seen as pricey based on one outfit</p>
<p><span id="more-250"></span><strong>Pricing &amp; Availability:</strong><br />
The Fancy Nancy toy line is exclusively available at Target stores. If you are unsure of where to find the nearest Fancy Nancy items you can check the Target website, which will allow you to search for the closest store with Fancy Nancy merchandise. Each outfit selection costs $19.99, which could be viewed as moderately expensive for doll clothing. However, the items (at least some of them) are able to be mixed and matched so it wouldn’t hurt to indulge a child when special gifts are appropriate, such as birthdays, holidays, and other special moments.</p>
<p>The available options for dress up outfits include the Party Dress (what we are reviewing here), the Purple Butterfly Dress, the Dance Outfit, and the Heart PJs and Robe. All of the outfits come with slippers and are the same price. You may be able to find these online, though chances are you will end up paying a higher price. If you can find them at Target, I definitely recommend you do so.</p>
<p><strong>Requirements &amp; Instructions:</strong><br />
This Party Dress comes with a deep purple, sparkly dress with a red sash belt and sparkly white ruffles along the collar and sleeves. It is long sleeved with the red sash encircling the sleeves at the elbow. The higher part of the sleeve is poofed out and there is dotting of the sash ribbon in a small pattern. Also included are some ruffled pink and red socks and some adorable fluffy puppy slippers with blue bows on the puppy ears.</p>
<p>Since these are dress up clothes suitable for a specific doll, the only requirement you have is that you need the doll for these to be of any excitement. Without the doll, this dress probably won’t be much fun. However, if you have the doll, you should be good to go and as long as your child has the basic dressing skills they should not have one single problem with this.</p>
<p><strong>Durability:</strong><br />
In considering the durability you are looking at dress up clothes, so this outfit is made very carefully with exceptional quality to detail. You might find it hard to pay $20 for a doll outfit, but you would certainly pay this for a dress that would fit your child because the quality is that good. You can consider this like you would something your own child would wear. They shouldn’t be able to rip it (not that they should want to in the first place), and it’s not going to fall apart should Nancy be dropped on accident. In short, you will surely get your money&#8217;s worth on this.</p>
<p><strong>Ease of Use:</strong><br />
If your child can undress and re-dress Nancy then this will be a snap because that’s the whole point of this dress up outfit. It will initiate new ways for play. With this dress, Nancy will be the belle of the ball and is all set for the perfect party of your child&#8217;s choosing. It couldn’t be any easier of a concept. Most three year olds shouldn’t have any problem making Nancy look pretty in a variety of outfits.</p>
<p><center><!--adsense--></center></p>
<p><strong>Fun Factor &amp; Overall Appeal:</strong><br />
It was loads of fun to put a new outfit on Nancy. It seems like something incredibly simple in nature, and it is, but sometimes the simple things provide more fun than you think they will. The girls loved dressing her up in something new and instantly came up with some fun new ways to play with her. She was ready for a fancy party with some of the other dolls that the girls owned. Everybody had so much fun and when the party was done, Nancy was able to change back into her regular dress to wind down before bed.</p>
<p>The girls also liked having the ability of mixing and matching the little things from the two outfits. For instance, Nancy always wore her necklace and since the girls loved the heart socks in the dress up outfit, Nancy decided to leave those on after the party. They couldn’t decide on slippers though, so Nancy ended up wearing one of each. Either way she was still looking good and quite fancy, as always.</p>
<p><strong>Bottom Line:</strong><br />
Little girls (and little boys) that love dolls usually love the fun that comes with making them over and dressing them up. Nancy has her own set of clothing that is just perfect for her. While it is mildly high in terms of price, especially if you’re being hit by the rough economy, the price is not unreasonable and it actually ends up being worth it, in terms of the length of time that this will be of use to your child. The outfits are well made and fit the theme perfectly. The Nancy fans in your family will love these outfits and will definitely want an outfit (or all of them) if they are lucky enough to have a doll of their own.</p>
<p><strong>Price:</strong> 3.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Durability:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Ease of Assembly:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Fun Factor:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Child Readiness:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Lasting Appeal:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Overall Rating:</strong> 4.75 out of 5 stars</p>
<p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fancy+Nancy" rel="tag">Fancy Nancy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fabulous+Fancy+Nancy" rel="tag"> Fabulous Fancy Nancy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Doll" rel="tag"> Doll</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Dress+Up" rel="tag"> Dress Up</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Party+Dress" rel="tag"> Party Dress</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Purple" rel="tag"> Purple</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Heart+Socks" rel="tag"> Heart Socks</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Puppy+Slippers" rel="tag"> Puppy Slippers</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/3+and+Up" rel="tag"> 3 and Up</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Girls" rel="tag"> Girls</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Toys" rel="tag"> Toys</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Children" rel="tag"> Children</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fun" rel="tag"> Fun</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Target" rel="tag"> Target</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Role+Model" rel="tag"> Role Model</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Durable" rel="tag"> Durable</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Enjoyable" rel="tag"> Enjoyable</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jakks+Pacific" rel="tag"> Jakks Pacific</a></p>
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		<title>Toy Review: Fabulous Fancy Nancy Doll</title>
		<link>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/15/toy-review-fabulous-fancy-nancy-doll/</link>
		<comments>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/15/toy-review-fabulous-fancy-nancy-doll/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:48:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashtyn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dolls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[3 and Up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Accessories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[doll]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Durable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enjoyable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fabulous Fancy Nancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fancy Nancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Girls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jakks Pacific]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leotard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poodle Skirt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Role Model]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Target]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.li-kids.com/?p=249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have been keeping an eye on Fancy Nancy for quite some time now. At first, it was just seeing her adorable face on book covers. Even if her fashion sense is a bit out there, she certainly is as fancy as her name implies. The books are quite the read because Nancy can prove ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright" style="border: 7px solid black; margin: 2px 9px; float: right;;  float: right; padding: 4px; margin: 0 0 2px 7px;" src="http://www.li-kids.com/photos/Fabulous_FancyNancy.jpg" alt="Fancy Nancy Doll" width="250" height="450" />I have been keeping an eye on Fancy Nancy for quite some time now. At first, it was just seeing her adorable face on book covers. Even if her fashion sense is a bit out there, she certainly is as fancy as her name implies. The books are quite the read because Nancy can prove to be an interesting character, but it’s all in good fun. She ends up being an excellent role model for young girls and that is never something to complain about.</p>
<p>So, when it came to my attention that Fancy Nancy had a line of toys coming out, I immediately wanted to review them. I have a girlfriend that has two young daughters. I knew that they would be perfect test subjects for the quality and excitement factor that comes with Fancy Nancy.</p>
<p><strong>Positives &amp; Negatives:</strong></p>
<p>Positives:<br />
Good value for the money<br />
Comes with numerous accessories to get you started<br />
Nicely made<br />
Good role model for young girls<br />
Tough toy (it can be dropped and what not without worry of breaking)<br />
Good attention to detail<br />
Fun for numerous age groups</p>
<p>Negatives:<br />
None that I have found</p>
<p><strong>Pricing &amp; Availability:</strong><br />
The Fancy Nancy toy line is exclusively available at Target stores. In fact, if you go to their website it will have you search by store, as they are not even available in the online Target store. While I have seen a few of these dolls floating around places like Amazon, your best bet would probably be Target, especially if you’re looking for a reasonable price. The Fabulous Fancy Nancy Doll retails for $39.99 at Target, which is not a bad deal for a sturdy doll with a number of accessories. The only dolls available on Amazon are considerably more expensive, so if you have a Target in your area you will want to visit the store and save some money!</p>
<p><span id="more-249"></span><strong>Requirements &amp; Instructions:</strong><br />
As this is a doll there aren’t really any instructions. Things couldn’t get easier. You just take her out of the box and the kids can play with her. She is all dolled up and ready to play, so once you remove her it’s up to the imagination of the kids to play to their heart&#8217;s content. Fancy Nancy is suitable for kids ages three and up, but kids much older will also find enjoyment in this adorable doll, so if you have kids of various ages this is something that they can all enjoy together.</p>
<p><strong>Durability:</strong><br />
Fancy Nancy is not a doll that is going to break in two if you drop her. Now we did not purposely throw her around because we believe in being nice to our toys (especially with something so cute). However, just taking her out of the box and giving a few twist and turns, as well as watching her be played with, showed us that she could take a beating (if she had to) and she would be just fine. It would take quite a bit of torture to actually harm Fancy Nancy, and hopefully a parent would not give a child a doll if she could not take care of it.</p>
<p><strong>Ease of Use:</strong><br />
Fancy Nancy is a doll so it is an incredibly simple toy. As long as your child is able to use their imagination they can play with this toy and will probably have a great time doing it. The only problem the girls playing with Fancy Nancy had was that there was only one doll! They absolutely loved playing with her, dressing her and changing her clothes, and carrying her around to do “girl things” with her.</p>
<p>The girls, who are seven and five, could not get enough of Nancy. Once she was out of the box they had a hold of her and were fully immersed in play. They were laughing and speaking to (and talking for) Nancy, wanting to make her the third girl in their group. Not only did they have fun, but I had a fun time watching them play and enjoy Nancy so much. At times, they were nice enough to include me, and while I probably wouldn’t be caught playing with Nancy all on my own, I did have a great time doing it with the kids.</p>
<p><strong>Fun Factor &amp; Overall Appeal:</strong><br />
Nancy is an 18 inch doll that comes with a leotard and poodle skirt, some socks and slippers, and accessories including two barrettes, hair ribbons, and a necklace. This gave the girls (and me) a chance to change up her outfit some. The poodle skirt can be removed and you can leave Nancy in her leotard on its own. This is nice because it serves as a second outfit for Nancy. There are additional outfit sets that you can purchase, but if you don’t have the money for extras, this allows your child to enjoy Fancy Nancy without needing additional outfits from the minute that you buy her.</p>
<p><center><!--adsense--></center></p>
<p>Speaking of her outfit, I just have to say that it may not match in the conventional sense, but oh my gosh, is it adorable. The top is a fun (and certainly noticeable) cow print with ruffles at her collar and sleeves. The skirt is a nice and fluffy 50’s throwback poodle skirt in a gorgeous lavender color. The cute and fuzzy poodle on that skirt is a pretty addition, as well. Nancy is all dolled up in lace, satin, bows, and barrettes. She also comes with some dainty pink slippers in a Mary Jane shoe design that have fuzzy balls on the top of the shoe. While this outfit certainly is interesting, it definitely works for little Miss Fancy Nancy.</p>
<p>The best part of all though is the message that the kids receive from Nancy. It&#8217;s all about being who you want to be. That message is often lost in today&#8217;s society, but Nancy reminds us all that fashion is in the eye of the beholder. She helps your kids to learn that if you look good for yourself, you will end up feeling good and looking fabulous. Kids will love Nancy, especially girls, because despite not being the most beautiful girl, she is fashionable in her own way and she’s fun. Moms and dads will love Nancy because she’s a good role model, teaching girls that life is what you make of it and you should always dress for your own version of success!</p>
<p><strong>Bottom Line:</strong><br />
I could not recommend Fancy Nancy enough if I tried. This is a fabulous doll, like the name implies. It’s absolutely perfect for girls and interested boys aged three and older. Thanks to the books and the positive nature of the series, I could easily see girls as old as ten (and some older) loving this Fancy Nancy doll. Parents will definitely receive their money&#8217;s worth because this is one of those toys that will be able to travel through the years with their children successfully, without them tiring of it. To date this has been one of my favorite toy reviews because the girl’s had so much fun playing with Nancy that as a parent, seeing the joy on their faces was priceless.</p>
<p><strong>Price:</strong> 4.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Durability:</strong> 4.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Ease of Assembly:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Fun Factor:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Child Readiness:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Lasting Appeal:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Overall Rating:</strong> 4.83 out of 5 stars</p>
<p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fancy+Nancy" rel="tag">Fancy Nancy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fabulous+Fancy+Nancy" rel="tag"> Fabulous Fancy Nancy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Doll" rel="tag"> Doll</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Leotard" rel="tag"> Leotard</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Poodle+Skirt" rel="tag"> Poodle Skirt</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Accessories" rel="tag"> Accessories</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/3+and+Up" rel="tag"> 3 and Up</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Girls" rel="tag"> Girls</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Toys" rel="tag"> Toys</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Children" rel="tag"> Children</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fun" rel="tag"> Fun</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Target" rel="tag"> Target</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Role+Model" rel="tag"> Role Model</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Durable" rel="tag"> Durable</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Enjoyable" rel="tag"> Enjoyable</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jakks+Pacific" rel="tag"> Jakks Pacific</a></p>
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		<title>Toy Review: Fancy Nancy – Fancy Poodle Dress &amp; Rouge Heeled Shoes</title>
		<link>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/13/toy-review-fancy-nancy-fancy-poodle-dress-rouge-heeled-shoes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/13/toy-review-fancy-nancy-fancy-poodle-dress-rouge-heeled-shoes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:09:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashtyn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dolls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[3 and Up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[doll]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dress Up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Durable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enjoyable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fabulous Fancy Nancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fancy Nancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fancy Poodle Dress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Girls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jakks Pacific]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Role Model]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rouge Heeled Shoes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Target]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.li-kids.com/?p=251</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When I was a young girl, nothing was as fun as dress up time. There was just something exciting about trying on new clothes, doing my hair, and pretending to be the princess that I always thought I was. As I have grown, this excitement has not died down. The only difference is that it’s ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright" style="border: 7px solid black; margin: 2px 9px; float: right;;  float: right; padding: 4px; margin: 0 0 2px 7px;" src="http://www.li-kids.com/photos/fancynancydressup.jpg" alt="Fancy Nancy Dress Up Outfit" width="250" height="250" />When I was a young girl, nothing was as fun as dress up time. There was just something exciting about trying on new clothes, doing my hair, and pretending to be the princess that I always thought I was. As I have grown, this excitement has not died down. The only difference is that it’s no longer called dress up time. it’s shopping! Needless to say, when I get a chance to see some girls have fun in the way that I used to, I am all for it!</p>
<p>So when I packed up the Fabulous Fancy Nancy and her Dress Up Outfit, I also brought along the Fancy Poodle Dress and Rouge Heeled Shoes for the girls to dress up in and play around with as they played with the doll. The girls loved it and found the doll even more fun when they were able to look just like her. All it took was this great outfit along with some pigtails and a little personality. We threw in some sunglasses and they were ready for Hollywood, Fancy Nancy style!</p>
<p><strong>Positives &amp; Negatives:</strong></p>
<p>Positives:<br />
Promotes Imagination<br />
Give kids a chance for good old fashioned play<br />
Not outrageously priced<br />
Promotes Independent or multiple child play<br />
Fits a varying age demographic<br />
Good for imagination<br />
Dress up makes girls feel fancy, pretty, and good</p>
<p>Negatives:<br />
None that I can think of</p>
<p><span id="more-251"></span><strong>Pricing &amp; Availability:</strong><br />
Unlike other Fancy Nancy items there seems to be more availability for the dress up options. You can purchase both the Poodle Dress and the Rouge Shoes online. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018MPUSG?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=notaspunnyasj-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B0018MPUSG">Fancy Nancy Dress</a> is available for $24.99 and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AA1CGK?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=notaspunnyasj-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B001AA1CGK">the Rouge Shoes</a> can be purchased for $19.77.</p>
<p>I did not find the shoes at Target, though the dress is available for the same price listed above. You can order the dress through Amazon or Target. If you prefer to shop in person, Target also will allow you to search for the stores near you that are carrying the dress currently. While the set is close to $50, these are sold separately and you do not need one to enjoy the other. They make excellent everyday dress up clothes, but would make an adorable outfit for a dress up party or even could be used as an outfit on Halloween.</p>
<p><strong>Requirements &amp; Instructions:</strong><br />
The great thing about items like this is that there are no requirements. The only thing you need is a young child that’s the right size for this dress. According to the tags it will work for kids ages 3 and up. It lists that it fits sizes 4x to 6x. We tried it out on two girls, aged five and seven. It fit perfectly on the five year old, but it was a little short on the seven year old, who is kind of tall for her age. The shoes fit both girls perfectly.</p>
<p>Considering their ages they were able to handle this all on their own. They took the dress on and off with no problems and could slip the shoes on and off, wearing them with whatever they had on at the time. I don’t think that a three year old would have much problem putting this on either. They might need a small amount of basic help, but I am sure that most would be just fine. The only thing the adult really needs to be included on is pigtail duty if the child insists on looking just like the adorable Fancy Nancy.</p>
<p><strong>Durability:</strong><br />
I was tempted to leave this section out because I always feel silly talking about durability when it comes to clothing. I left it in because the quality of the clothing was excellent (the shoes were good, too) and I wanted to impress that despite the price you pay, you are getting something is of excellent quality and  was made with plenty of attention to detail. This was not something thrown together cheaply to make a buck. Chances are, this outfit will grow to be too small for your child before your child grows out of it or something happens to damage it (accidents excluded, of course).</p>
<p><strong>Fun Factor &amp; Overall Appeal:</strong><br />
Little girls will absolutely love these dress up items and parents will love them, as well. The attention to detail here is absolutely marvelous. The dress is almost a complete replica of Fancy Nancy’s doll dress except for a few minor changed details. The dress up dress includes some delicate pink braided fabric around the cuffs, the cow print is nice and sparkly, and the middle of the shirt has a Fancy Nancy cameo completely encircled in a tuft of bright pink fur. Other than that the dress is nearly identical and looks great on the little girl of your choice.</p>
<p><center><!--adsense--></center></p>
<p>The shoes remind me of the classic, pretty ruby red slippers that come from the<em>Wizard of Oz</em>. From one end to the other they are covered in shiny sparkles. The top of the shoes have red lace bows and the shoe itself is like a slipper with no back. Being that they were heels the girls especially loved these because they had a chance to be sophisticated and wear something that made them look older.</p>
<p><strong>Bottom Line:</strong><br />
Both the Fancy Poodle Dress and the Rouge Heeled Shoes make wonderful additions to a young girl’s dress up closet. These items are fun and fashionable and come with that very important Fancy Nancy message (the one about being yourself, no matter what others think). Girls that love the books and series will absolutely adore these items. If you have a young daughter I highly recommend them.</p>
<p><strong>Price:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Durability:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Ease of Assembly:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Fun Factor:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Child Readiness:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Lasting Appeal:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Overall Rating:</strong> 4.83 out of 5 stars</p>
<p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fancy+Nancy" rel="tag">Fancy Nancy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fabulous+Fancy+Nancy" rel="tag"> Fabulous Fancy Nancy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Doll" rel="tag"> Doll</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Dress+Up" rel="tag"> Dress Up</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fancy+Poodle+Dress" rel="tag"> Fancy Poodle Dress</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rouge+Heeled+Shoes" rel="tag"> Rouge Heeled Shoes</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/3+and+Up" rel="tag"> 3 and Up</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Girls" rel="tag"> Girls</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Toys" rel="tag"> Toys</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Children" rel="tag"> Children</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fun" rel="tag"> Fun</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Target" rel="tag"> Target</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Role+Model" rel="tag"> Role Model</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Durable" rel="tag"> Durable</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Enjoyable" rel="tag"> Enjoyable</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jakks+Pacific" rel="tag"> Jakks Pacific</a></p>
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		<title>Toy Review: Hannah Montana Summertime Surf Shop</title>
		<link>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/06/toy-review-hannah-montana-summertime-surf-shop/</link>
		<comments>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/06/06/toy-review-hannah-montana-summertime-surf-shop/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:48:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kassidy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Building]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dolls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Disney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Disney Channel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hannah Montana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hannah Montana Dolls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rico’s Surf Shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Summer Fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Summertime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tiki Hut]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.li-kids.com/?p=261</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As I mentioned in my previous review, for the Lilly doll, my daughter Maddie received the Hannah Montana Summertime Surf Shop. Maddie is a huge fan of the Hannah Montana television show on the Disney Channel. On the show there is a place called Rico’s Surf Shop. Now, just in time for the summer, a ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright" style="border: 7px solid black; margin: 2px 9px; float: right;;  float: right; padding: 4px; margin: 0 0 2px 7px;" src="http://www.li-kids.com/photos/hannahmontanaplayset.jpg" alt="Hannah Montana" width="300" height="225" />As I mentioned in my previous review, for the <a href="http://www.li-kids.com/2008/05/14/toy-review-hannah-montanas-lilly-summertime-collection-doll/">Lilly doll</a>, my daughter Maddie received the Hannah Montana Summertime Surf Shop. Maddie is a huge fan of the <em>Hannah Montana</em> television show on the Disney Channel. On the show there is a place called Rico’s Surf Shop. Now, just in time for the summer, a Hannah Montana play set, the Rico’s Summertime Surf Shop, has been released along with four, different, summertime Hannah Montana dolls. The dolls available with this set are Hannah Montana, Miley, Oliver and Lilly.</p>
<p>With all of the Hannah Montana gang ready to hit the beach it only seems fitting that the Hannah Montana Summertime Surf Shop would be included in this set. While other reviewers had the chance to check out the Oliver and Hannah dolls, Maddie was thrilled that we received the Lilly doll with the surf shop. In the time since we’ve received these toys to review, Maddie has played non-stop with her Hannah Montana toys. She’s already begging me for the three other dolls that would complete this set. With her birthday coming up, there’s a great possibility she’ll be receiving them!</p>
<p><strong>Positives &amp; Negatives:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Positives</strong><br />
-Inspires Creative Play<br />
-Fun for Hannah fans<br />
-Somewhat Durable<br />
-Easy to Assemble<br />
-Allows for solo or ensemble play</p>
<p><strong>Negatives</strong><br />
-Sometimes falls over<br />
-Seems to be made of flimsy materials<br />
-Small Parts</p>
<p><span id="more-261"></span><strong>Pricing &amp; Availability:</strong><br />
The Hannah Montana Summertime Surf Shop is not that expensive. I’ve found this available at Wal-Mart. I’ve found it online at Amazon. It can also be purchased at Toys R Us. You should be able to find the Surf Shop and all of the Hannah Montana dolls at your favorite toy retailer. At <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012ZA5RA?tag=notaspunnyasj-20&amp;camp=0&amp;creative=0&amp;linkCode=st1&amp;creativeASIN=B0012ZA5RA&amp;adid=1PC1CG6X6P160WF4GD7S">Amazon, the surf shop is available for $30</a>. Meanwhile, at Toys R Us online, the Surf Shop can be purchased for just under $21.</p>
<p><strong>Requirements &amp; Instructions:</strong><br />
The surf shop is easy to assemble. Your child will be able to set up the various pieces and put them together. You might have to help with some of the parts, merely because the materials have a tendency to tip over if the set isn’t put together correctly. The lights on the Tiki Hut at Rico’s Surf Shop really light up, and included in the package are batteries for this.</p>
<p>Overall, this is one of those toys, which does not take very long to set up. What should be noted is that there are many pieces to this set and some of them are quite small. Like the dolls, which are recommended for children six and up, the Surf Shop shouldn’t be purchased for a young child. Many of the parts present a choking hazard. Maddie is six and she was fine with the Surf Shop. Then again, she knows better than to put toys, especially small pieces, in her mouth. Since I have two other little ones, I made sure to watch them around the toys and Maddie made sure not to leave anything out when putting the toy back in its box.</p>
<p><strong>Durability:</strong><br />
The Surf Shop isn’t nearly as durable as the Hannah Montana dolls that accompany this set. I was slightly disappointed in how flimsy the material was for part of the Tiki Hut. Dropping this toy may cause it to come apart, and the set’s tendency to fall over just adds to minor frustration levels. This is another reason why smaller children may not want to own this. While Maddie can move things around and put things together on her own, younger children may be frustrated when/if this play set were to fall over or come apart.</p>
<p><strong>Ease of Use:</strong><br />
This toy is fairly easy to play with and Maddie had a lot of fun. Since she had a few other Hannah dolls, she was able to have Lilly play with Hannah. They ate food, went surfing and had a great time at the beach. She was able to act out many of her favorite scenes from the <em>Hannah Montana</em> Disney show. I really enjoyed seeing her eyes light up as she played with the Surf Shop, Lilly and the rest of her dolls. As a mom, this toy is a winner.</p>
<p>I just hope it’s able to withstand the length of time Maddie will want to play with it, without it falling apart. While putting the set together was easy, I’m not sure how long the set will hold up. I blame this primarily on the material (cheap plastic) that was used to make the Hannah Montana Surf Shop.</p>
<p><strong>Fun Factor &amp; Overall Appeal:</strong><br />
The Hannah Montana Summertime Surf Shop comes with the Tiki style bar, which is lined with real working lights. The Tiki Hut also features swing away doors. There is a removable surfboard that can be used by any of the Hannah Montana dolls your child owns. The Palm Tree and stand is located near the surfboard. Other things that come with this set include a sticker sheet, cell phone, plastic popcorn, a comb, a lounge chair, one Tiki stool, a hot dog maker with hot dogs, a drink machine, a blender, a plate of nachos, headphones, a CD player, a portable music player, three pairs of sunglasses, sunscreen and two drinking glasses.</p>
<p><center><!--adsense--></center></p>
<p>As you can see, this Surf Set is quite comprehensive. Maddie had hours of fun with this toy and she was sad when we had to put the surf shop and her dolls away. Since Hannah Montana is so popular, this is the perfect summer gift to get your child. This is one of those fun toys that will entertain your child for an extended period of time. I highly recommend this for all young Hannah Montana fans who can handle the small parts that are included.</p>
<p><strong>Bottom Line:</strong><br />
The Hannah Montana Summertime Surf Shop isn’t going to be suitable for every Hannah Montana fan. The older fans (six and up) will find the most enjoyment and having Hannah Montana dolls to accompany this set is a must. With dolls, a little imagination and the surf shop, your child will be able to spend many hours enjoying this toy and you’ll certainly get your money’s worth. I know that my daughter is enjoying her Surf Shop and with so many toys not suitable for children these days, it is nice to have the familiar face of Hannah Montana and Disney toys to entertain my child.</p>
<p><strong>Price:</strong> 4.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Durability:</strong> 3 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Ease of Assembly:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Fun Factor:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Child Readiness:</strong> 3.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Lasting Appeal:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Overall Rating:</strong> 3.83 out of 5 stars</p>
<p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Hannah+Montana" rel="tag">Hannah Montana</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Disney" rel="tag"> Disney</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Disney+Channel" rel="tag"> Disney Channel</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rico%E2%80%99s+Surf+Shop" rel="tag"> Rico’s Surf Shop</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Tiki+Hut" rel="tag"> Tiki Hut</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Bar" rel="tag"> Bar</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Summertime" rel="tag"> Summertime</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Summer+Fun" rel="tag"> Summer Fun</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Hannah+Montana+Dolls" rel="tag"> Hannah Montana Dolls</a></p>
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		<title>Toy Review: Hannah Montana’s Oliver Summertime Doll</title>
		<link>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/05/26/toy-review-hannah-montana-oliver-summertime-doll/</link>
		<comments>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/05/26/toy-review-hannah-montana-oliver-summertime-doll/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2008 07:56:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashtyn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Action Figures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dolls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Disney Channel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[doll]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hannah Montana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Miley Cyrus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oliver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Summertime Series]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surf Shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.li-kids.com/?p=258</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have to admit it. I absolutely cannot stand Hannah Montana. I don’t hate her in the sense that I want her to die, but I seriously wouldn’t mind her disappearing from show business and never coming back. Maybe it’s because there are thousands of deranged soccer mom’s that have decided she is a good ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright" style="border: 7px solid black; margin: 2px 9px; float: right;;  float: right; padding: 4px; margin: 0 0 2px 7px;" src="http://www.li-kids.com/photos/oliver-hannah-doll.jpg" alt="Oliver Hannah Doll" width="250" height="367" />I have to admit it. I absolutely cannot stand Hannah Montana. I don’t hate her in the sense that I want her to die, but I seriously wouldn’t mind her disappearing from show business and never coming back. Maybe it’s because there are thousands of deranged soccer mom’s that have decided she is a good role model. Maybe it’s because she couldn’t find a tune if someone hit her over the head with one. </p>
<p>Either way I am seriously not a big fan of Billy Ray’s daughter or her show. However, my friend’s daughters love the show and Hannah, much like most little girls do these days. So, I put aside all my distaste for the show and what I think of it, to spend a day playing around with Hannah and her friends, in doll form.</p>
<p>The good thing for me is that I don’t have to enjoy them. This is about the kids and the kids found them to be quite fun. I always found more excitement in Barbies, as opposed to similar knock off girlie action figure dolls, but these dolls are meant to be a hit because they look just like the people that play the parts in the Hannah Montana series. These dolls are certain to be one of the hottest toys of the summer thanks to the clever design skills and the fun, summer theme.</p>
<p><strong>Positives &amp; Negatives:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Positives</strong><br />
Looks just like Oliver<br />
Realistic<br />
Inspires Creative Play<br />
Durable<br />
One of a Set, So Multiple Additions are Available<br />
Comes with Accessories<br />
Well Made<br />
Lots of Detail</p>
<p><strong>Negatives</strong><br />
Has Small Parts, so may not be good for Younger Children</p>
<p><span id="more-258"></span><strong>Pricing &amp; Availability:</strong><br />
I am guessing that most stores that sell toys will have this and the other Hannah Montana dolls in stock this summer. You should be able to find it at most offline retailers for a variety of prices. You can also find it online at a number of stores including Amazon. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012ZFW7I?tag=notaspunnyasj-20&amp;camp=0&amp;creative=0&amp;linkCode=st1&amp;creativeASIN=B0012ZFW7I&amp;adid=08K2VNXV6WNP52DYD7XE">At Amazon</a>, you can pick the Oliver doll up for $11.94. Your order will be eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping if you have an order of $25 or more, so if you were planning to purchase more than one of these dolls that may be the way to go!</p>
<p><strong>Requirements &amp; Instructions:</strong><br />
Considering this is a doll, as a parent your part in this will be minimal. All you will need to do is take Oliver out of the box and hand them to your child. There are some small accessories, but nothing that your child shouldn’t have a problem understanding how to use. </p>
<p>If you want to add to the fun you can always purchase Rico’s Surf Shop, which gives your child an excellent, show-similar setting for play time. Otherwise, all you need to work this particular toy is a good dose of imagination! The girls loved Rico&#8217;s and they had their dolls purchase plenty of fries and smoothies!</p>
<p><strong>Durability:</strong><br />
I don’t recommend popping the heads off the dolls or trying to decapitate them for any reason. However, if you do (or if your daughter has a big brother) it’s nice to know that the head will go right back on. This doll is durable enough to take a fair beating and look fine, if that should happen. The clothing is made well on Oliver and should be hard for a child to rip or ruin unless that is their intent and they do whatever they have to so that happens. Otherwise, you should get your money’s worth here and a lot more when it comes to durability.</p>
<p><strong>Ease of Use:</strong><br />
Again, as a doll, this only requires your child’s imagination. I am imagining there are other clothing sets for these dolls or there will be in the future. This means your child can change the doll’s clothes and create play in different settings. The attention to detail should be greatly appreciated as this doll resembles Oliver down to the littlest detail. This should help inspire your child’s Hannah Montana play quite a bit and make it easy for them to find plenty of ways to play with this and the other dolls in this series.</p>
<p><strong>Fun Factor &amp; Overall Appeal:</strong><br />
Oliver comes dressed in a maroon Polo shirt and camo cargo shorts. He’s also wearing a pair of dark, matching sandals. Also included are a small bottle of (play) suntan lotion, a boogie board, and two Hannah Montana stickers. It’s important to note that the lotion is incredibly small, so if you have smaller children playing with this you may want to remove it from the box before giving the doll to them.</p>
<p>Thanks to the summertime theme kids will enjoy playing with these at family barbecues, the beach, and around the pool. The Oliver doll is recommended for ages six and up, which is age appropriate for toys with such small accessories. The girls adored Oliver and Hannah, the two of the dolls in the set that they were able to play with when I visited them. The other dolls in the set include Lilly and Miley. </p>
<p>The girls spent hours switching back and forth between the two dolls I brought. One minute one was Oliver and the other was a spunky, more entertaining, Hannah, and then they would switch so the other could have her Hannah time. It was fun to watch them enjoy themselves.</p>
<p><center><!--adsense--></center></p>
<p><strong>Bottom Line:</strong><br />
While I may not enjoy Hannah Montana, the girls I let play with these dolls certainly do! The Oliver doll was a hit! I do not recommend buying this doll unless your child is the recommended age or older. There are small pieces that are easy to swallow and younger children won’t realize that until it’s too late. Oliver and the other Hannah Montana dolls should be suitable for kids age six and older, until about the pre-teen years when doll use seems to taper off. That being said, fans of the show will love these dolls no matter how old they are. This is sure to be one of the hottest toys this summer!</p>
<p><strong>Price:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Durability:</strong> 4.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Ease of Assembly:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Fun Factor:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Child Readiness:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Lasting Appeal:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Overall Rating:</strong> 4.58 out of 5 stars</p>
<p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Oliver" rel="tag">Oliver</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Summertime+Series" rel="tag"> Summertime Series</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Hannah+Montana" rel="tag"> Hannah Montana</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Miley+Cyrus" rel="tag"> Miley Cyrus</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Doll" rel="tag"> Doll</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Surf+Shop" rel="tag"> Surf Shop</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Disney+Channel" rel="tag"> Disney Channel</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Toy" rel="tag"> Toy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Children" rel="tag"> Children</a></p>
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		<title>Toy Review: Hannah Montana&#8217;s Lilly Summertime Collection Doll</title>
		<link>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/05/14/toy-review-hannah-montanas-lilly-summertime-collection-doll/</link>
		<comments>http://www.li-kids.com/2008/05/14/toy-review-hannah-montanas-lilly-summertime-collection-doll/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 02:33:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kassidy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Disability Friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dolls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affordable toy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beach doll]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Disney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[doll]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hannah Montana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jakks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lilly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[playalong toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summertime stuff]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.li-kids.com/?p=217</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hannah Montana has been all the craze for girls between the ages of 3 and 12. The Hannah Montana franchise, as you probably already know, features a hit television show on the Disney Channel. From there, Hannah has gone on tour and has produced loads of merchandise. The Summertime line offers more than just the ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright" style="border: 7px solid black; margin: 2px 9px; float: right;;  float: right; padding: 4px; margin: 0 0 2px 7px;" src="http://www.li-kids.com/photos/play-along-hannah-montana-lilly.jpg" alt="Lilly" width="250" height="457" />Hannah Montana has been all the craze for girls between the ages of 3 and 12. The Hannah Montana franchise, as you probably already know, features a hit television show on the Disney Channel. From there, Hannah has gone on tour and has produced loads of merchandise. The Summertime line offers more than just the Lilly doll. Little girls and other fans of the show can collect Lilly, Oliver, Hannah and Miley. They can also purchase the Summer Surf Shop to give them places to hang out and play.</p>
<p>With a six year old daughter, Maddie, who is obsessed with everything Hannah Montana, I knew that the Lilly Summertime doll would be a hit. Maddie received Lilly along with the Surf Shop to review for LI Kids. All I have to say is that I haven’t seen her since I gave her the doll to play with! She’s been that enthralled in playing Hannah games and re-enacting scenes from the show. The nice thing is that she can play at the surf shop with her other Hannah dolls and she’ll have the opportunity to spend the entire summer playing with Hannah and her pals thanks to this doll!</p>
<p><strong>Positives &amp; Negatives:</strong></p>
<p>Positives<br />
-Inspires Creative Play<br />
-Positive Girl Role Model<br />
-Comes with Multiple extras to inspire different adventures<br />
-Something a wide age group can enjoy<br />
-Fun and Engaging Toy<br />
-Realistic-looking doll<br />
-Affordable</p>
<p>Negatives<br />
-Small Parts<br />
-Younger Kids will want to play with it, but might only be allowed limited access</p>
<p><span id="more-217"></span><strong>Pricing &amp; Availability:</strong><br />
You should be able to pick up the Lilly doll at any major retailer both online and off. I checked on Wal-Mart, where Lilly is listed as the Hannah Montana Beach Fashion Doll, Lilly. The dolls should all be readily available at other stores like Toys R Us, Target, and online at Amazon. The dolls aren’t just readily available, they’re also affordable. At Wal-Mart you can purchase Lilly for just under $10 and the other stores selling the dolls have them priced in the same range! The price, especially in a time where people don’t have a lot of money, is perfect!</p>
<p><strong>Requirements &amp; Instructions:</strong><br />
There really aren’t any requirements for this doll. Lilly doesn’t talk or do anything where you might need batteries. She comes with everything your child will need to play with her Hannah Montana friend. Lilly comes with a beach towel, a hairbrush, a magazine (which is named “Surf Beach”), a four-leaf clover charm and bracelet, little pink sandals and an adorable outfit! Her sandals match her top perfectly.</p>
<p>I barely had Lilly out of the box before Maddie had snatched her up and was off to the races, playing with her. The instructions are pretty simple. You just need to take her out of the box, take out the accessories and playtime can begin!</p>
<p><strong>Durability:</strong><br />
Lilly is about as durable as any other doll out there. I’m sure, just like Barbie, if you wanted to rip off her arms, legs, and head you could, but who does that other than annoying older brothers? Even then, you can usually snap the arms, legs, and head back on, so the trauma of losing the doll is limited. Lilly can be dropped without breaking. She’s pretty indestructible unless you’re truly attempting to tear her apart. There has to be an effort to do this though. Otherwise, Lilly is pretty much your average doll in this department.</p>
<p><strong>Ease of Use:</strong><br />
Lilly is a doll. I don’t know how much easier playing with a doll could be. You take her out of the box and playtime can begin. Your child doesn’t need instructions to play with Lilly. Maddie loves her doll. She brings her to dinner. She takes her to bed. Lilly goes everywhere with Maddie. I can’t stress how much this toy inspires the imagination. Lilly does everything from skydiving to scuba diving (which Maddie attempted to have her do in the fish tank)! Still, you do have to be careful with these dolls. When Maddie knocked over the lamp (luckily it didn’t break) because Lilly was bungee jumping, I really had to consider whether I’d end up punishing Lilly for her misdeeds or not!</p>
<p><center><!--adsense--></center></p>
<p><strong>Fun Factor &amp; Overall Appeal:</strong><br />
The Lilly Summer Stufftime is recommended for ages 6 and up. I know that this doll would be suited for girls that are in their tween years. I would also say a responsible 4-5 year old might be able to play with this doll. You know your child best so use your best judgment before purchasing the doll. For those in the age range, Lilly is great. She’s fun, adorable, and a great asset to any little girl’s (or boy’s) doll arsenal.</p>
<p>Lilly is a doll so there is an immeasurable amount of opportunity for play with her. You can keep Lilly in the setting of the beach or play with her at a Hannah concert. You can put any type of doll’s clothes and/or add other Hannah Montana accessories with Lilly. The opportunities are endless and the lasting appeal of this will ensure your daughter will get years of play with Lilly and her Hannah friends.</p>
<p><strong>Bottom Line:</strong><br />
The Lilly Summertime doll is a must have for your favorite Hannah Montana fan. Even girls who may not be overly familiar with Hannah Montana will like the beach theme associated with Lilly. I don’t recommend you purchase this for a child under 5 or if you do, you only let her play with the doll and not the accessories. Overall, this was one of the best toys we’ve had the chance to review. Lilly comes highly recommended!</p>
<p><strong>Price:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Durability:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Ease of Assembly:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Fun Factor:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Child Readiness:</strong> 4.5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Lasting Appeal:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<strong>Overall Rating:</strong> 4.75 out of 5 stars</p>
<p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Hannah+Montana" rel="tag">Hannah Montana</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Lilly" rel="tag"> Lilly</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/doll" rel="tag"> doll</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Disney" rel="tag"> Disney</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/toy" rel="tag"> toy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/beach+doll" rel="tag"> beach doll</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/summertime+stuff" rel="tag"> summertime stuff</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/affordable+toy" rel="tag"> affordable toy</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/playalong+toys" rel="tag"> playalong toys</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/jakks" rel="tag"> jakks</a></p>
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