tumbles.of.fun

I'm really excited about a new collection of dolls recently added to Toys and Games Online. They're Speaking Dolls by Language Littles.

I have to admit I'd be partial to the Speaking Dolls even if they didn't speak. I've always had a (wait for it) soft spot for rag dolls and these are particularly cute and cuddly with their removable outfits, yarn hair, and happy expressions. Note they're also dressed in age-appropriate clothes. These are most definitely not Bratz Dolls.But these rag dolls do speak, which makes them extra special. Each doll has her own nationality and says a series of greetings and phrases in her native language as well as English. The recording is done in a human voice, which makes the doll and the languae come alive. You can choose from French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Greek, Japanse, Chinese, Korean, and Hebrew. Plus each doll comes with a translation booklet and a unique pass code that will allow your child entry to specialized language games on the Language Littles Web site.

This is a great way to introduce, encourage, and reinforce language skills in children at a young age. If your child is lucky enough to be learning a foreign language in elementary school, then a Language Littles Speaking Doll could be the perfect gift to reward your child for a job well done. These dolls make foreign language fun and accessable and hopefully, especially with the addition of the Web site, spark your child's curiosity to learn more.

I really like the fact that there's a fairly diverse range of languages to choose from, though if you're looking for visual diversity, the choices are limited. All the dolls have the same white skin tone. Lizzie, the Spanish speaking doll, who comes in light or dark skin, is the only exception. I'll just have to hope that in the future this New York city-based company continues to expand into other Nationalities and languages.