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JamboKids Dolls

JamboKids dolls and books, by JamboKids Company, Inc, recommended ages 3 to 8, made in china, retail approximately$30.00/set.

JamboKids' Doll and book sets were created by a Virginia-based husband and wife team who were looking for ways to help their adopted children appreciate their cultural heritage. Richard Rawson, PsyD. and Clara Conti wanted to inspire their young son and daughter, adopted from China, to develop the strength of character that could help them live good lives and better prepare them to meet life's challenges in a global world.

What they came up with is JamboKids' Dolls and books. JamboKids soft, all-fabric, non-posable dolls are 12" tall and made of surface washable, 100% polyester fabric. Their embroidered facial features are modeled after real kids so each JamboKids doll has its own distinct look. The dolls have an interesting twist; the heads are tilted slightly back so that the little doll looks up to your child. Children look up to almost everyone in their lives so it is nice that these petite pals look up to them. Also refreshing is that the dolls are just little girls, not underdressed, or over-glamed. We'd love to see little boy dolls as well.

The Dolls dresses have Velcro fasteners; dress and panties are removable, although a bit difficult for small hands to put back on. The socks and shoes do not come off, a positive given the number of single, tiny, doll shoes that are regularly lost or swept up. The ultra soft yarn hair is not brushable, but very nice to touch and rub your hands over. The manufacturer recommends this product for ages 3 to 8 years old. We found it to be most popular with the younger end of the age range; the 2, 3, and 4 year olds loved hugging and dragging them around.

The JamboKids' books that accompany the dolls are intended to be an introduction to children from other cultures.

JamboKids storybook characters are:
· Rachel, adopted from China when she was a baby and living in Washington DC.
· Jazzie, adopted from Liberia and living in NYC.
· Anya,adopted from Russia,, and living in Boston.
· Tilly, born in the US adopted and living in Montana
· Luz, adopted in Guatemala, by archeologists
· Nicey, adopted by her aunt and living in Mississippi

As is the case with most children's books, reading these soft-cover storybooks do provide parents and children an opportunity to bond. However, the books were not our favorite part of the set. We felt that they did not match the age appeal of the dolls. The books are a little wordy, only gave a basic brush of cultural awareness, and the story just did not engage younger audiences to the end. The older kids - ages 6, 7, and 8 year old - enjoyed reading the books. Although it was brought to our attention that in one of the stories a young girl goes off with a stranger to a hunt in the woods. Actually, in Tilly's story she goes off with a fairy into the woods, so even though we read the book several times it took a child with a recent lesson of "don't go with strangers" fresh in her mind to question the storyline in the book. The books do open the floor for interactive discourse about families and adoption from all over the world, and an opportunity to discuss, "stranger danger".

The books do promote positive self image, as well as reinforcing that having a optimistic outlook on life is far better than being negative.

A 50-page guidebook for parents and educators is also available for download. It's intended to provide an effective set of resources for encouraging positive character growth in children. The worksheet format contains discussion prompts, and activities that encourage children's natural character evolution.
JamboKids' goal to deliver storybooks and multicultural dolls that celebrate cultural diversity and promote positive character development is essentially achieved.

About the Author: Mary Rose is a Mommy, a writer and an early childhood educator who believes in learning through play and the value of good toys.