Madame Alexander Reviews

In her dainty, pink knit pajamas with their tiny, satin ankle bows, this Huggums doll is a lovable baby who's just waiting to snuggle. Pink Check Huggums, introduced by Madame Alexander in 1996, is a soft-bodied play doll with a vinyl head. She wears a one-piece pajama made of soft, pink-and-white checkered cotton fabric. A rounded collar edged in white lace frames her adorable face with its innocent expression, bright pink lips, and rosy cheeks. Her round blue eyes open when she sits up and close at naptime when she's lying down. At 11 inches in height, she's the perfect size for a young child's first doll, and the Velcro closure on the front of her pajamas won't cause problems for little fingers just learning the finer points of clothing mechanics. Although she's a lightweight stuffed doll, her soft body is sculptured in such a way that she can easily pose in a sitting-up position. Whether given as a shower gift for an expectant mommy or a very special first-birthday gift, she's sure to be a favorite. --Julie Ubben

There's only one witch with a green face this memorable--the unforgettable Wicked Witch of the West, nemesis of Dorothy and her friends in The Wizard of Oz. The Wicked Witch is perhaps the most outstanding doll in Madame Alexander's whole Wizard of Oz collection. She has fluorescent green skin (from head to toe), emerald green eyes, and ruby red lips. Her black witch-wear includes a taffeta gown with Victorian puffed sleeves, an embroidered vest, and a shiny black cape flowing out behind her. She also wears a witch hat with long ribbon streamers, black net stockings, and black high-heeled boots. She arrives with her own broom, of course. --Marcie Bovetz

This reproduction of the charming but scatter-brained Scarecrow is part of Madame Alexander's Wizard of Oz collection, presenting many of the characters from the classic book series and movie. He's dressed in a black felt hat, black boots, black print pants, and a blue checked shirt. Both his head and attached hands are made of beige cloth framed with bits of straw. His facial features are hand-embroidered. The hood can be removed to reveal a regular doll's head with blond hair and the same face used on most Madame Alexander 8-inch dolls. --Marcie Bovetz

Snow White manages to look like a princess even when she's keeping house for seven little men. She's dressed in a long gown with a yellow satin skirt, red velvet top, and royal blue satin puffed sleeves--her classic outfit. Gold trim accents the top of her dress, with cherry red ribbons decorating the sleeves and holding back Snow White's striking black curls. Under her dress, she wears a separate lace-trimmed half-slip, bloomers, white socks, and gold slippers. Snow White has a signature Madame Alexander doll face, with pretty rosy cheeks, red lips, and her open-close, brown eyes have real lashes. --Marcie Bovetz

Handsome little Hansel is dressed in traditional green velveteen lederhosen trimmed with red braid and embroidered ribbons, with the exacting attention to detail found in all Madame Alexander doll costumes. His suit also includes an attached white shirt with full, long sleeves, and a tiny red ribbon tie. Hansel also wears white socks, black velvet shoes with buckles, and a peaked green velveteen cap trimmed with red braid and a feather. He's 8 inches tall and has blue eyes, auburn hair, and cute freckles sprinkled across his nose. Hansel's sister Gretel is available separately with a coordinating outfit. --Marcie Bovetz, mother and former children's librarian