*On Location* Madame Alexander Dolls - Building Blocks Toys

I visited Building Blocks toy store to have a look at the Madame Alexander dolls they had in stock. Beautiful 8" dolls. Prices range $59.99 - $109.99

International Princess Collection

These Wendy dolls are fully articulated and can be positioned in multiple poses. The wigs are full and lush.

Dolls from Oz the Great and Powerful collection.

21" Cissy 95th Anniversary doll $1500!
Only 125 pieces made.
GORGEOUS!

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Here are some reasons to consider spending more for one well-made doll.

Durability

A much-loved toy is a much-used toy.

Kids treat their favorite dolls as companions, toting them along everywhere. They dress and undress their dolls, dance with them, and share every adventure in life with them. Those hours and hours of play will take a toll on any doll.
Sturdy construction and solid materials are essential to make a doll that can stand up to years of affection.

Safety

Almost all dolls on the market, at any price, meet minimum safety standards for their recommended ages.

The big question is: what happens if a younger child should get hold of a doll intended for an older child?

The higher a doll's quality, the less likely that the baby will be able to bite a piece off, presenting a choking hazard, or that coatings will flake off and get swallowed.

Play Value

When a doll maker takes more care to design a doll and its accessories, the result is a doll that is simply more fun to play with. Charm, artistry, realism: achieving these qualities in a doll takes time, highly skilled craft labor, and (again) high-quality materials.

A child may not be able to tell which dolls cost more or less, but she will certainly know which ones truly engage her imagination.

Specialness

A high-quality doll can help teach a child respect for her possessions.

A kid who gets an avalanche of lower-priced presents may be excited at first. But the excitement will be short-lived. As she plays through a pile of toys that break, or disappoint her, or fail to interest her, she'll learn to treat her belongings as disposable. She'll learn it's more fun to get toys than to play with toys.

Swapping all that junk for a single high-quality doll will restore a sense of occasion to gift giving, and a sense of respect for her things.

The more you give a child toys she wants to take care of, the more she will want to take care of her toys.

Holding their value

Some toys just don't catch on with some kids. Others catch on so well, they become family heirlooms.

Whether you're selling a doll on eBay, regifting it to another child, or passing it down to another generation, you'll be glad you spent more right at the beginning. High-quality dolls hold their value through the years much better than lower-grade ones. These are dolls that someone will always treasure.

When buying a doll, you've got a lot of options to choose from, at all price levels. Consider your doll purchase as something that will have an impact on a child's life for years to come.

Buy the best doll you can comfortably afford. It will come back to you ten times over in memories.

-Madame Alexander Doll Company