My last blog talked about a line of school-age dolls which each had a story including adoption. I was very surprised to find a second line of dolls—baby dolls this time—who each have an adoption story.
Precious Doll Company was founded by Mary Beth Wells, who placed her first child for adoption and then later adopted a daughter herself.
Mary Beth says on her website that she had a three-fold dream: to reunite with her birth daughter, to become a parent herself, and to found a book and doll company that would breathe life into stories of adoption by recognizing that adoption is a story of “love with arms outstretched in two directions, one giving and one receiving”.
Wells met her birth daughter several years ago, shortly before she adopted from Guatemala. Her first two dolls were made in honor of her daughters. “Kimberly Caryn” is the name that Mary Beth privately called her birth daughter. “Sophia Alessandra” was made for Mary Beth’s daughter from Guatemala.
Currently Precious Doll Company has three dolls which may be ordered for immediate shipment: “Kimberly Caryn” from America, a blue-eyed blonde who comes dressed in a sleeper covered with cherries and a removable diaper, “Alessandra Sophia” from Guatemala who comes dressed in a beautiful yellow dress edged with a strip of Mayan weaving, a removable diaper, and brown sandals; and “Katya” from Russia, who has auburn hair and green eyes, and comes dressed in a red and white costume with Russian embroidery, white booties, and a removable diaper.
Precious Doll Company has a Chinese doll “Li Min”, who is almost ready for sale. The company is taking orders from customers who want to reserve one. Li Min comes dressed in a red Qui Pao style dress with gold patterning, satin slippers, a headband and bow, and removable diaper.
“Mariama Asabi” is an African doll currently being designed. Precious is taking the names of interested customers.
Each doll has a book which tells her story. The books may be purchased separately for $14.95, or for $9.95 if you are also buying a doll. Wells says that the books acknowledge that children have three stories: the history of their birth and of their native land, the history of the family which they join, and the future. Wells says her books try to promote
“pride in having a home in two lands, a foundation of knowledge about the birth country, and a deep love of America”.
Wells says there is room in the stories for parents to adapt the details to fit their own family story.
The dolls are beautiful with lifelike faces. They are 17 inches, with soft bodies and vinyl heads and limbs.
Accessories such as an extra doll outfit, extra sleepers, and stuffed animals “Li Ming’s panda,” “Sophia’s dog”, “Kimberly’s dog” and “Katya’s cat” may also be purchased.
Please see these related blogs:
Toys and Dolls for Multicultural Families
Gifts and Books for Adoptive Families