The Wanna-Be Dolls Want New Homes

Wanna-Be Dolls as described and illustrated in Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide by Myla Perkins (Collector Books 1993)

Based on old photos viewed recently of my grandson's first private birthday party that was at our home in 2002, that is the year I purchased the Wanna-Be dolls from the author of Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide 1820-1991, Myla Perkins.  In the photos of Grandson's party, he is seated at the kitchen table in his booster chair opening gifts and later eating cake.  Visible in some of the photos are two of the Wanna-Be doll boxes.  They had probably recently arrived and had been placed against the back wall of the kitchen before eventually being taken to the doll room.

After another collector informed me that Perkins was selling some of her dolls (many of which were duplicates for her, many of which had been featured in her book), I contacted the author and requested a copy of her dolls for sale list. Among others, I purchased four Wanna-Be dolls. They are described in her book and illustrated as shown in the photograph above.

The Wanna-Be dolls are career-inspiring playthings created by the corporation of the same name with a copyright year of 1986.  They are 17 inches tall with vinyl heads, cloth bodies, vinyl arms and legs.  They have brown sleep eyes and rooted hair.  Dolls in the series included male and female pilots, doctors, teachers, executives, firefighters, soldiers, a male football player and female cheerleader.

The four Wanna-Be dolls purchased from Perkins represent male executive, female pilot, male doctor, and football player.

After their migration to the doll room some 13 years ago, the four I purchased from Perkins, shown above were in the same corner as Giggles and Baby Catch-A-Ball.  I was well aware of the Wanna-Bes' location because they were in front Giggles and a few others that were lined against the wall. I have enjoyed the dolls in their never-removed-from-box states and kept them solely because they were purchased from Perkins.  To create much needed space, I have now decided to find new homes for all four.

Additional photos are shown below:

Wanna-Be Executive wears white shirt, blue suspender pants, red suspenders, red and white polka dot tie, red lace-up shoes.

This note to parents is included in the Executive and Pilot's box.  The other dolls do not have the same note.

Wanna-Be Pilot wears goggles, helmet, gray flight suit, red neck scarf, and black boots.

Wanna-Be Doctor wears eyeglasses, white shirt and lab coat, burgundy bow tie, blue pants, and red lace-up shoes.  His stethoscope remains inside the side panel.

Except for colors, Wanna-Be Football player wears the typical uniform of a football player of blue helmet, red #57 jersey, gray pants, red socks, blue sneakers with white stripes.  The gold sticker on the boxes of the Pilot, Doctor, and Football player reads:  Hey Kids!  Complete your coloring book and receive a free diploma and calling card to hear your special message from Wanna-Be University.  See details inside.  A coloring book may or may not be in the boxes.

Photos of the graphics and text from their boxes are shown below:

The lower side panel reads:  

Dear Friend,

"Wanna-Be" was developed as a positive role identity toy with a real purpose.  A child must dream and aspire to reach life's greatest potential.  Use the "Wanna-Be" as a guidance tool for the young impressionable mind.  Our role as grown-ups is to nurture, teach and develop the young minds of children.  We hope that "Wanna-Be" will inspire many wonderful dreams.  

John Rector

Wanna-Be Creator

The message/poem on the back of the box reads:  See beyond the enchanted window into the valley of "Dream-Be" City.  In a world of grown-up people and things to be, comes a special little friend called "Wanna-Be."  A Firefighter, a Doctor, a Teacher and more, are all here now for you to explore.  Oh so many things to grow up and be, just open your heart and dream with your "Wanna-be."

These dolls have all found new homes!

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