Comments on: “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia” Dolls

By: Alessandra Gilioli

Alessandra Gilioli — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:05:42 +0000

If you look closely at the dolls in person they have BOOBS. Which I thought was odd for such young girls. That and the fact that they are named after real people is all together not right, commercially greedy.. etc.

By: Tyrae-Ann

Tyrae-Ann — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:25:52 +0000

Some of these sets of dolls are going for nearly $2,000 dollars on E-bay! Unbelievable! They are now considered “rare” beanie-baby-dolls. Now Ty, who has made the choice to continue selling the dolls, is reasoning with Obama’s reps and are currently changing the names to something else.

By: meerkat

meerkat — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:07:41 +0000

If I were Sasha, I would find “sweet” pale praise compared to “marvelous.” How about “Sensational Sasha”?

By: pitseleh

pitseleh — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:43:08 +0000

Yep, definitely not based on the girls. That’s why there is the sign that refers to them moving to DC. And also the merchandising of the two books by the President along side the dolls. Obviously, nothing to do with the Obamas.

By: Gis

Gis — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:08:26 +0000

Creepy.

By: Frank Sayre

Frank Sayre — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:47:44 +0000

Inevitable. At least its not another commemorative plate set.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:34:23 +0000

I’m just trying to figure out the sign in that picture. “Best of luck in Washington, DC! We will miss you!” That would appear to be signed by “Malia” and “Sasha,” and addressed…to whom, exactly? My first impression (bolstered, I guess, by the placement of Obama’s books behind the sign and dolls) was that the girls were saying goodbye to their father, as if they weren’t going to DC as well. Very odd, all the way around.

By: Penny

Penny — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:22:51 +0000

Just for reference, the name Sasha is #350 and the name Malia is #403 among American baby girls named in 2007. Both names have been in the top 500 since 2000.
http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/

BTW, there were Barbara and Jenna Bush paper dolls in this set, but they weren’t minors at the time:
http://store.doverpublications.com/0486421902.html

Dover publications also did a Clinton family paper doll set, again with their Inaugural clothing as the clover illustration. Chelsea was definitely a kid at the time.

Here’s the Amy Carter paper doll set–now old enough to call it “vintage”:
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/dianesdollswithapast/item/1658

There were also paper dolls of Caroline and John Kennedy when they were very little kids in the White House.

By: Captain Crab

Captain Crab — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 15:57:03 +0000

Ty must think that Sasha and Malia are common names, therefore they aren’t based on the Obama children. On a more positive note, if they become popular, sales of the dolls will help get the economy rolling again!

Of course, I jest.

By: Penny

Penny — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 15:27:56 +0000

I notice the “play online” tag–that means they’re like other Ty bean dolls, you can register “your” Sasha or Malia and play with her online avatar–you can furnish and decorate her room, pick out her outfits, have her visit with other Ty bean dolls, play games, etc. Nothing super creepy, but still–I agree with the Obama press secretary. It’s inappropriate to “play” with the image of a real human kid without it being approved by her and her family.

By: anna

anna — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:37:45 +0000

assuming they are based on them, it is strange how they have the SAME FACE!

By: thoughtcounts Z

thoughtcounts Z — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 12:29:34 +0000

In what way are they “not based on the Obama girls”? They seem… completely based on them.