Caroline Doll
Sept 25, 2012 9:53:55 GMT -5
Post by moonlightcookie on Sept 25, 2012 9:53:55 GMT -5
The quality of this doll seems high. By that, I mean not only was my particular doll impeccable, but all of the ones I opened to gently feel the wigs and examine looked in perfect shape, too. I'm impressed by that, after what I've been through recently with Emily. I bought and returned an Emily after I had searched diligently for a good part on her hair from among every available doll on the shelves. All of the other Emily dolls had gloppy parts, so I was pleased by my find, only to get her home and find her hair was unevenly cut, one might even say "chopped", she shed incessantly, and there were kinks in her straight hair. I could not do an exchange because I already knew mine was the best of the lot and the rest had more obvious wig defects that were visible. Maybe it was because she is possibly at the end of her run and they are at the bottom of their stock now.
So I went back and decided to get a curly haired lass instead. I considered 56, but the longer curls of Caroline beckoned, as did the fact she is a historical doll and comes with a story I can share with my daughter.
I found that with so many excellent quality samples to choose from, I could narrow my choice down even further to select for face shape. While they are all Classic faces, of course, each Caroline has a bit of a distinct look to her thanks to individual slight variations in the mold or the placement of the wig. I found one with a less chubby face and a pleasing profile. I noticed others had slightly wider or flatter faces, so anyone who prefers that look, has that option. The variations I must stress are very slight and subtle. Few children would notice them. And even though I prefer the Josefina mold, I think the classic looks beautiful on this doll. Skin tone is brighter and pinker compared to our Rebecca doll.
The hair is not a flat Barbie platinum. It's got the same beautiful subtle variation in tone that the excellent brunette and auburn wigs have. You may not see that well in official photos or even under the store lighting, but in normal household lighting, it's there.
There are short hairs in the wig, and they somehow seem to hold the longer hairs close to the "skull" so that flyaways and tangling isn't as bad as you might expect. The long curls are actually play-friendly. As they can get quite messy and still look beautiful and like they are meant to be that way. It's a contrast again, with my poor Em, who got unsightly flyaways when she got jostled (though I could quickly smooth her down again).
It takes me about five minutes with a pick and finger curling to set her hair to rights again after my daughter plays with her. You can see by the many photos of her on this forum that there are so many options for hairstyles with this beautiful doll.
Best of all, the entire two and a half days we've had her, she has shed exactly FIVE hairs total. You can't imagine how happy that makes me after the heartbreak of returning Marie Grace and Emily after watching them shed constantly and watching the lovely hair accumulate into a hair ball collection in the wastebasket. Even McKenna, another recent purchase that has proven to be a "keeper" sheds a wee bit.
We have only the first book that comes with the doll. My daughter, 8, is enthralled with the story and deeply moved by the hardships Caroline faces. The book itself is priceless for the one chapter "Grandmother's Advice". Grandmother indeed provides words to live by and I was deeply moved by this advice and example for my daughter.
I am not sufficiently educated to say how historically accurate this story or the characters are, but for me as a mom, it suffices that the story inspires both me and my daughter to want to research this time period more. Anything that inspires or encourages one to seek further education has a value unto itself.
Caroline and her mom and grandmother are strong, courageous women and good role models. Caroline may look like a delicate princess but she is a tough cookie with bold ambitions.
The doll's eyes are lovely, also. Initially I preferred the pinwheel style for blue and aqua eyes, but I have come to love and prefer this look for Caroline.
The dress fabric is thin. I admit I got spoiled by the feel of Emily's dress. But the dress will look nice and more complete with the accessory package, which I do not have.
Even if you are not into the classic face mold or platinum blonde dolls, you may be pleasantly surprised and fall in love as we did.
Update: my daughter and I are still immensely pleased with this doll. I've found the hair care video tutorial made by board member Wellies and posted under MAG #56's review thread for her #56 Zoe Marie Kate to be very helpful in refreshing and neatening Caroline's curls, too. We still have very minimal shedding with this doll. I tend to style the hair in a McKenna style to keep it neat during play.
So I went back and decided to get a curly haired lass instead. I considered 56, but the longer curls of Caroline beckoned, as did the fact she is a historical doll and comes with a story I can share with my daughter.
I found that with so many excellent quality samples to choose from, I could narrow my choice down even further to select for face shape. While they are all Classic faces, of course, each Caroline has a bit of a distinct look to her thanks to individual slight variations in the mold or the placement of the wig. I found one with a less chubby face and a pleasing profile. I noticed others had slightly wider or flatter faces, so anyone who prefers that look, has that option. The variations I must stress are very slight and subtle. Few children would notice them. And even though I prefer the Josefina mold, I think the classic looks beautiful on this doll. Skin tone is brighter and pinker compared to our Rebecca doll.
The hair is not a flat Barbie platinum. It's got the same beautiful subtle variation in tone that the excellent brunette and auburn wigs have. You may not see that well in official photos or even under the store lighting, but in normal household lighting, it's there.
There are short hairs in the wig, and they somehow seem to hold the longer hairs close to the "skull" so that flyaways and tangling isn't as bad as you might expect. The long curls are actually play-friendly. As they can get quite messy and still look beautiful and like they are meant to be that way. It's a contrast again, with my poor Em, who got unsightly flyaways when she got jostled (though I could quickly smooth her down again).
It takes me about five minutes with a pick and finger curling to set her hair to rights again after my daughter plays with her. You can see by the many photos of her on this forum that there are so many options for hairstyles with this beautiful doll.
Best of all, the entire two and a half days we've had her, she has shed exactly FIVE hairs total. You can't imagine how happy that makes me after the heartbreak of returning Marie Grace and Emily after watching them shed constantly and watching the lovely hair accumulate into a hair ball collection in the wastebasket. Even McKenna, another recent purchase that has proven to be a "keeper" sheds a wee bit.
We have only the first book that comes with the doll. My daughter, 8, is enthralled with the story and deeply moved by the hardships Caroline faces. The book itself is priceless for the one chapter "Grandmother's Advice". Grandmother indeed provides words to live by and I was deeply moved by this advice and example for my daughter.
I am not sufficiently educated to say how historically accurate this story or the characters are, but for me as a mom, it suffices that the story inspires both me and my daughter to want to research this time period more. Anything that inspires or encourages one to seek further education has a value unto itself.
Caroline and her mom and grandmother are strong, courageous women and good role models. Caroline may look like a delicate princess but she is a tough cookie with bold ambitions.
The doll's eyes are lovely, also. Initially I preferred the pinwheel style for blue and aqua eyes, but I have come to love and prefer this look for Caroline.
The dress fabric is thin. I admit I got spoiled by the feel of Emily's dress. But the dress will look nice and more complete with the accessory package, which I do not have.
Even if you are not into the classic face mold or platinum blonde dolls, you may be pleasantly surprised and fall in love as we did.
Update: my daughter and I are still immensely pleased with this doll. I've found the hair care video tutorial made by board member Wellies and posted under MAG #56's review thread for her #56 Zoe Marie Kate to be very helpful in refreshing and neatening Caroline's curls, too. We still have very minimal shedding with this doll. I tend to style the hair in a McKenna style to keep it neat during play.