Ada Twist, Scientist and Book

Ada Twist, Scientist and book arrived in December 2017.  The doll was a pleasant surprise gift in the mail from an initially unknown giver.  The unfamiliar return address did not include a name.  The accompanying Christmas greeting was unsigned.

Ada Twist was made in 2017 by MerryMakers, Inc.  Her spreadsheet entry reads as follows:

12-inch cloth doll represents the character in the book, Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty.  Ada has dark brown yarn hair, a screen-printed face and wears a red and white polka dot dress with white and brown spotted socks, and black felt shoes.

The book is about an inquisitive little girl who was mute until age three.  When she did begin to speak, she wanted to know the what, when, whys, and hows about everything she encountered.  With initially perplexed parents, Ada eventually received their help in finding the answers to her never-ending questions.

Needing to know who sent Ada Twist and the book to me, I reached out to one member of my doll group thinking she had to have been the sender, but it was not her.  I was back to square one trying to determine who sent Ada and book to me so I could properly give thanks.  I sent a text message to someone else who lives in the same city and state indicated on the return address, but it was not her either.  I posted a message to my Facebook group to inquire if any member sent it.  No one replied but based on the "likes" the post received, I was able to determine who sent Ada to me.  A Facebook Messenger message inquiring if that person sent it solved the mystery.

Thank you again group member for your generosity.  Ada will fit in quite nicely with my Dolls with Books collection that I have shared with the community in one-day to month-long exhibits in the past.

Because it has been difficult for me to set up these exhibits, the thought occurred to me recently that I might possibly do reading sessions with children at local libraries and/or schools where only one book is read during each session.  The associated doll would accompany me to these reading sessions. This is just a thought, but is something that would be easier for me to handle than an entire exhibit set up where a synopsis of each book is provided or discussed.  If I conduct the one doll/one book readings, Ada Twist, Scientist will be one of the first books read.



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Luvabella an Interactive Baby Doll by Spin Master, LTD.

Luvabella, "love comes to life," a doll by Spin Master, LTD.

Described as one of the hottest toys of the 2017 Christmas season, Luvabella by Spin Master, LTD. was a requested Christmas gift from my daughter.  I initially was on the fence about the doll but after viewing another collector's video, I asked my daughter to buy Luvabella for me.  She found it the same day on Amazon dot com.

Close-up of Luvabella's face while still in box.

The side panels of her otherwise see-through box illustrate the doll and describes a couple of things that make her interact:  Tickle her and she giggles.  Calm her with her soother (pacifier).

The back panel of the box illustrates a little girl holding the doll (cropped out of the above photo) and further describes some of the things Luvabella can do.

It took several days for me to remove the doll from the box.  The main reason was that I needed the four size C batteries required for operation.  After purchasing those, it took another 24 hours before I freed Luvabella from the box to test her functionality.


Before the test, her spreadsheet doll inventory description was recorded as follows:

17-inch tall interactive doll has silicone face over firmer material, hard plastic body, vinyl arms and legs, brown blinking eyes, black eyelashes.  Babbles and speaks 100+ words and phrases, has affectionate expressions and movements, responds to accessories of  lamb, bottle, and pacifier.  Chews when fed with spoon; can be rocked to sleep with  pacifier; makes drinking sound when bottle fed.  Can be burped.  Laughs when tickled.  Says "Mama" when top and bottom of feet are pressed.  Has an audible heart beat when chest is touched.  Moves eyes, head, and arms when responding and has many other interactive features.  Dressed in pink  dress with pink and white hearts on skirt, solid pink panties; has molded brown hair, pink headband.  My doll wears a short Afro wig.

Luvabella's back has an on and off switch on the left, which also adjusts the volume.  The switch on the right determines her language.  The A (left) position is for English.  The B (right position is for French).  When pressed, the large oval back button wakes her up when she falls asleep.

The above, out-of-the-box, first photo illustrates everything that is included with the doll:  instruction booklet, interactive "soother," interactive lamb, interactive spoon, and interactive bottle.  A card with the company's 800# was also included in the package.

Because I don't particularly care for molded or sculpted hair, I added an Afro wig, which improves Luvabella's appearance.

Pros

• Innovative, but similar interactive dolls have preceded her.
• Fun.
• Engaging.
• Her initial language is babble, but with time and human interaction it is supposed to advance.  (I have already realized her language progress each time she is turned on.)
• Available in blonde, brunette, and with dark brown molded hair.
• Moderately priced based on what an adult collector might pay.

Cons

• I do not care for the mechanical sounds she makes while interacting.
• Often seems to have a mind of her own, but eventually responds to her interactive toys and human touches.
• Molded hair -- good for the younger set, but she looks better with hair (or a wig).
• The retail price of around $99 might be cost prohibitive for some parents.

Watch the following promotional video, then watch my doll in the second video.



My first Youtube video featuring Luvabella:


What do you think of Luvabella?  Do you find her creepy or cute?

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Happy New Year!

May all your dolly wishes come true.  

Have a happy, healthy, and prosperous year!

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