Doll-Related Birthday Gifts

A huge shipping box arrived the week before my birthday containing beautifully wrapped and packaged gifts.

Only doll-related birthday gifts are featured in this blog post. My first doll-related birthday gift of the year, LOL Surprise O.M.G. Queen Sways arrived in March, two months before my actual birthday. A link to the original post about Queen Sways is included below the other birthday items that came this month. Additionally, at the end of the post, I've included buy links to anything that is currently available on Amazon.

Madame Alexander Kindness Club Zola

Kindness Club Zola by Madame Alexander

Zola arrived quickly from Amazon.com. I ordered this doll after reading the company's email announcement about the 14-inch all-vinyl Kindness Club Dolls. She immediately reminded me of a doll that I already own, but I waited until Zola arrived to confirm. This group of dolls is also reminiscent of American Girl's Wellie-Wishers. Zola even wears rainboots like the dolls in that line.

Zola is described by Madame Alexander as follows:

• Meet the Kindness Club, girls with big hearts and big dreams to make the world a better place, teaching caring and respect for all people
• Dressed in a soft pink skirt, plaid shirt, transparent iridescent raincoat, decorated hairband, and knee socks with magenta rainboots; hair is up in two adorable curly brunette puffs with a fun purple highlight; engage your child in imaginative play with this doll, teaching kindness and empathy
• These 14” dolls have molded, poseable bodies, beautiful rooted hair with a colorful highlight, realistic fixed eyes, and engaging outfits.
• Engage your child in imaginative play with this doll, teaching kindness and empathy. Doll wipes clean with damp cloth

I was met with slight disappointment by Zola's grayish-brown complexion. The quality of her vinyl is definitely in the play-doll category. I can contend with softer vinyl, but the grayish undertones were bothersome. I took several photos of Zola to share with those who might be interested in purchasing the doll as a gift for a child or for yourself. (A child won't be as discriminating as a seasoned collector who knows that manufacturers can do better with coloring if they tried.)

Photos without flash

Zola was still securely inside the display box.

These photos are dark, but the grayish undertone is apparent.

Outside the display box but still attached to the box liner; Zola's patch of purple hair is visible in this photo and others that were taken closeup.

She's so gray.

Outside the box.

With raincoat removed

The back of the box illustrates all dolls. One side of the back of the box was crimped -- so typical of Amazon.

Comparison with Ashley Rose by Madame Alexander (same camera -- no flash)

Ashley Rose on the left is a higher-end doll by Madame Alexander with more realistic coloring. Ashley Rose also has applied upper eyelashes which adds realism. Zola has painted eyelashes.

Ashley Rose's clothes are more elaborate than Zola's.

The following photos were taken with a different camera with the flash:

In the last two photos, Zola posed with another doll that shares the same head sculpt as Ashley Rose. Her name is Rebecca.

Complexion comparison between Ashley Rose, Zola, and Rebecca

The older Madame Alexander dolls (circa 2005) have jointed elbows and knees. Zola's articulation is confined to the neck, shoulders, and upper legs.

Zola's unrealistic coloring, lack of facial blushing, and drawn eyelashes are the reasons I returned the doll to Amazon. The gray-brown color of the vinyl is the main reason she could not stay. 

The dolls in the Kindness Club series can be seen here.

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There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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