Lottie Dolls- Review and Giveaway

I had never heard of Lottie Dolls until we had the opportunity to review one. But just because she's new (August 2012) doesn't mean Lottie isn't making waves. Winner of several awards as listed below, there's a reason this 7.5 inch doll is causing a buzz. (For a list of other well deserved awards see here.)

• (USA) PAL Awards 2012 (Play Advances Learning)
• Autumn Leaves Lottie Doll and Pony Flag Race Lottie doll
• (USA) Oppenheim Toy Portfolio 2012 – Platinum Best Toy Award
• Pony Flag Race Lottie doll, Spring Celebration Ballet Lottie doll and Snow Queen Lottie doll 

What is a Lottie Doll? Here's more from the website, be sure to read through for our personal review/thoughts on this doll and enter the giveaway!

Launched in August 2012, Lottie™ is a new, innovative fashion doll for girls aged 3- 9. Since her debut, Lottie has won 12 awards in the USA and UK, including 3 Oppenheim Portfolio Platinum Awards, generated international press coverage and been the beneficiary of positive parent and blogger reviews.
Lottie is fun and educational; an affordable, aspirational ‘pro girl’ doll.
Key Features:

• Lottie is a wholesome doll alternative for girls aged 3-9; she is 7.5 inches (18cm) tall, so is very portable and easy for little hands to carry around.
• The key point of difference is that Lottie has a ‘childlike’ body – she doesn’t wear makeup, jewellery or high heels and she can stand on her own two feet (always a useful life skill for all girls, big and small).
• She’s all about letting girls be girls, doing all the activities a child would do, not growing up too quickly, and presenting a healthy view on body image.
• Lottie’s clothing is composed of tactile fabric with lots of attention to detail, easy to dress and undress, with velcro fastenings.
• Her hair is lovely and soft; it doesn’t tangle and knot like other doll hair.
• Lottie has bendable knees with ball socket hips and arms; her head can move side to side and she can do the splits front to back and side to side.
• Lottie is presented in a giftable, illustrated and collectible ‘doll box bag’, with minimal plastic packaging.
• Launched in August 2012, she has won 12 international awards, including 3 Oppenheim Portfolio Platinum Awards.
• Recommended Age: 3 Years +

Arklu carried out 18months of research working with girls, parents, retailers, industry experts, child psychologists and child nutrition experts, leading to the generation of over 100 action points which have been incorporated into Lottie’s development. The three points that resonated the most strongly were:

• Girls being concerned by body image from a young age
• Girls being prematurely sexualised
• Girls missing out on their childhood

To address these issues Lottie has been based on the scientific proportions of a 9 year old child, with the exception of her head (which has been increased to accommodate hair play). She does not wear jewellery, makeup or high heels. She can stand on her own two feet.
Her clothes are vibrant in colour and have significant attention to detail. Lottie’s clothes are very much activity based, in line with those of a 9 year old instead of an adult. She wears pretty dresses, as well as hardwearing clothes for muddy, outdoors play. Lottie allows girls to be girls and enjoy their childhood, in all its facets. Lottie’s motto is ‘Be bold, be brave, be you’.
Read more about our research and development in the for parents section.
Lottie is a feisty character; she can stand on her own two feet and whilst she occasionally makes mistakes, she learns from them. She is not perfect. Lottie loves adventure and the outdoors and uses her imagination. In many ways, she is inspired by the spirited female characters in books we loved as children: Anne of Green Gables, Pippi Longstocking, Jo in ‘Little Women’, Nancy Drew and George in the ‘Famous Five’.
See more in our ‘Great Books for Girls’ on Pinterest.

It's hard NOT to rave about this doll, the idea behind her, her development, and her purpose. Admittedly reading through the about page makes a parent of three girls want to stand and cheer. I find myself often trying to "take back childhood", make it last longer because kids around us are growing up too fast. While their maturity level is still where their age is, children try to act/dress/behave so much older. But really, it all looks good on "paper" doesn't it? Is Lottie a fun doll to play with? Is she interesting? Because she NEEDS to be to make the change this company has the potential to make. You know what? She really is! The stories on the packaging are fun to read, the company is planning a series of chapter books that I can't wait for. I know my girls would enjoy reading more about Lottie's adventures. Lottie herself is as described above, her hair is soft and silky, she can (easily!) stand on her own two feet. I was so glad that all of my girls could get her shoes on and off easily. Lottie's boots have a slit on the back making them fun and fashionable, but more importantly to me EASY to pull on and off!

Lottie's accessories are fun and engaging. I wish the binoculars had a string attached so that they could go around her neck because she can't hold them. The cards that came with the Butterfly Protector Lottie we received have the life cycle of a butterfly on them. Very colorful, and while it is chipboard it seems to be very sturdy.
My girls liked reading the cards and setting them in order. Putting butterflies into Lottie's net, and releasing them after observation of course! 

The Busy Lizzy the Robot Accessory Set has interchangeable arms and headpieces. The pieces are mismatched as the robot is made from "recycled" parts. This is a favorite of Piglet, she wants to be a roboticist when she's older, and she's forever collecting boxes, containers, and what not to build a robot. The interesting thing is, this robot set was inspired by an 8 year old girl's science fair project in Sioux Falls, ID. How cool is that!? 

I have to admit, I am KICKING myself for not choosing the Robot Girl Lottie. The girls really liked the Butterfly Protector Lottie, but I just know my future roboticist would have loved Robot Girl Lottie. I mean the doll has a ROBOT shirt on and a hoodie with a Marie Curie inspired "atomic" symbol on it. Boy I don't know what I was thinking!

Robot Lottie aside, my three girls took turns playing with our doll and robot. Piglet noticed her buttons on Lottie's pants and other details of her clothing right away. Which as a mom I notice but I didn't expect Piglet to point them out. She also got a kick out of the orange and white stripped socks and said they were so cool. (Says the child who loves crazy fun socks.)

Pixie decided that if the Robot was going out in the rain, it would need an umbrella, and a change of shoes. Good thing the set comes with two pairs of shoes! The umbrella was ours.

From the Lottie Dolls press release just perfectly describe each new doll for 2013 and the message behind them!

New for 2013 are dolls and accessories that embody the strength of women. For parents hoping their daughters will study S.T.E.M. - science, math, technology and engineering - playing with Butterfly Protector Lottie may inspire a love for nature, experiments and science. For a strong mind and strong body, girls will find intrigue with Kawaii Karate Lottie. Unconventional career paths can be found in Pirate Queen Lottie, not a current career track but a path that shows that women can do anything men can do! Right matey? And Robot Girl Lottie is a whiz at the science fair. An interest in robotics could happen by playing with this adorable toy!

If you're on my Facebook page, you've either already heard me raving about these dolls or will very soon! They are highly recommended, such a great toy! All dolls are priced at $19.99, and the accessory sets are $9.99. 

Find Lottie Dolls

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Pinterest- Check this out for sure for fun Stop motion, book recommendations, and more!

WIN a Lottie Doll and ONE outfit as described below.

Girls United Outfit Set • $9.99

Lottie and her friends have teamed up to make an all-girl soccer team. The outfit set includes shorts, shirt, socks, boots and football.

Body Boarder Outfit Set • $9.99

Lottie is all set for a fun, exciting day on the beach. The outfit set includes wetsuit, mask and snorkel, bucket, spade and body board.

Blue Velvet Outfit Set • $9.99

Lottie celebrates the party season and wears spectacular blue velvet -style party dress, a silver sequin cardigan and matching silver sparkly ballet flats.

Raspberry Ripple Outfit Set • $9.99

It’s raspberry season again! Lottie enjoys going outside to

pick plump and juicy raspberries straight from the bushes. The outfit set includes a raspberry ripple sundress, ice cream swirl tote bag and raspberry pink ballet flats.

Raising the Bar Outfit Set • $9.99

After months of preparation, Lottie is competing in her first gymnastics competition. The outfit set includes gymnastics leotard, competition number, gold winner’s medal and tracksuit pants.

Sweet Dreams Outfit Set • $9.99

Lottie loves to curl up with a steaming mug of cocoa (who doesn't?) and watch a cascade of shooting stars. The outfit set includes all-in-one pajamas, dressing gown robe and pink fleece slippers.

If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win. Read the rules HERE, first.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.

More giveaways on GPAC found HERE.

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