I am proud to be Canadian. I’m proud of our varying cultures, our “eh?”, our changing seasons, and our unique and vast geography from coast to coast. This is one of the main reasons why, instead of the hugely popular and very larger-than-life-pro-usa-star-spangled-banner like American Girl doll, my daughter has the Canadian version, A Maplelea Doll.
There are five Maplelea Dolls, Taryn from Banff who is an outdoor enthusiast and environmentalist, Brianne from Manitoba, a small town farm girl with big dreams, Alexi from Toronto, a big city girl with ambitions of becoming an inventor, Jenna from Lunenburg, NS, who loves the Ocean, sports, and having fun, and finally Leonie from Quebec City who loves birds and is passionate about hockey. These girls are Canadian and celebrate our country. Their journals and even their clothes teach our daughters about this diverse land we live in. I adore them.
Recently when my daughter’s Jenna doll, her best friend, had a little mishap I didn’t have to deal with the big corporate machine to get her fixed. I dealt with the very friendly and helpful people who spoke directly with the owner to figure out how to help us. Our questions were answered in a timely manner and after Jenna had spent some time at The Doll Hospital my daughter went to pick her up and was greeted by smiling, friendly faces thrilled to see a little girl reunited with her pal.
Here is my girl and her doll friend snuggled close after their long separation (note the hand):
As a father of a 4 year-old multiracial daughter I am intrigued by both the American Girl and Maplelea Dolls. However, I am disappointed to see that the Maplelea Dolls lack the historical and diverse histories in comparision to the American Girl counterparts such as: Addy and Kaya. Representation is powerful, especailly at such an earlier age, and especailly for little girls who are unfortunately socialized at an early age to comprehend their place in society by their body image, race, ethnicity, and gender. Maplelea dolls may be ALL CANADIAN, but they truly do not reflect the truly diverse demogrpahic background of Canada, therefore, my daughter will be better off playing with an American Girl doll in which her perception of self will be validated as a Canadain visible minority.
In response to Jacqueline, you are right it doesn’t matter about labels, but you shouldn’t chastise other parents for spending more money on a doll they want to last and for supporting a Canadian company.
Yes Sears is a Canadian company but I would hazard a guess in saying the majority of their product is not made in Canada. I would also hazard a guess that the “Canadian Dolls” are not truly canadian which is scary these days with all the toxic materials coming out of China.
I don’t mind spending more money to support a company that manufactures everything in Canada and also teaches children about Canada.
Spending more money on an item I have found works out better in the long run as the product is usually better quality and lasts longer. In the long run you are saving money and tears.
If she is a cutter, then you shouldn’t be making light randki,zdrada,kochanek,flirt, of it by calling her crazy. This is a mental issue that affects millions of teen girls in this country and they don’t need to read some asshole like you calling them nuts. You are such an asshole. Do you ever think before you write something?
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I love my doll Taryn she is like a best friend to me.
She is lot’s of fun and she makes me look at the world in a hole new way.
I have a similiar question as Melissa. All the Maplea dolls appear to be caucasian. Am I mistaken? I would have loved to buy these for my doll-loving daughter. I am white, but wouldn’t want to start collecting these if every doll is white.
Obviously Melissa hasn’t looked hard enough. There are “black” or darker skinned Canadian dolls. Does colour really matter? Try again….we have a “black” and “white” one. Outfits for these dolls are also available and good quality. You can order online and pick up at your nearest Sears.
Obviously Melissa hasn’t looked hard enough. There are “black” or darker skinned Canadian dolls. Does colour really matter? Try again….we have a “black” and “white” one. Outfits for these dolls are also available and good quality. You can order online and pick up at your nearest Sears.
I’d like to propose your article in the regular discussions at my work place.
ddd
Hi,
I am trying to decide on a doll for my daughter. I saw the Maplelea dolls a few years ago when the still sold through a retailer. I have recently discovered the Karito Kids which also look very interesting. Has anyone had any exposure to these dolls? While not “Canadian” I like the concept and that a portion of the purchase price goes to charity.
http://karitokids.com/start.php
Was the Maplelea contest results posted somewhere yet? I can’t even find the link anymore so I am not sure if it ended or is still on…still have my fingers crossed to win…lol..
Linda
Read most of the comments above some people here were glad it is canadian but was disappointed since am a canadian and for sure love to buy Canadian, I had to buy an American doll because Canadian dolls are not black. There are no black Canadians disappointed.
We are from the states but we love these dolls. We have three of them. I have to say they are a better quality than American Girl. And that I love that it is not all marketing. AG seems to want brand anything and sell it to kids.
I like the diversity of the Canada and the little dolls represent that very good. They are so pretty.
Let’s get real here people! Does the name brand of your child’s doll really matter? What are we teaching our children when we compare dolls and company names? My daughter is proud of the fact that she has a “Canadian doll” from Sears that she bought with her allowance that she saved. Who cares if it is an American doll or Maplelea? The quality of her doll is great and will last just as long as any other. In fact, it is much softer than the American dolls. It’s time that we give our heads a shake and put things into perspective. It’s a child’s doll! Get away from the “labels” and teach your kids how to be individuals. Shame on those mothers who spend hundreds of dollars on a doll. If your daughter truly loves to play with dolls, she will love a Sears Canadian doll just as much as any other. Cheers to Sears….a Canadian company.
That’s great info, Kath & Jen. Thanks! Suvi has now picked out her doll for her Santa list and my mother is already going to town making some additional clothing (some of our own heritage outfits, like a Finnish dance costume, etc.)
Brianne, you’ll hopefully have a home here soon! (Geez, I’d better get that ordered or I’ll be toast if they’re sold out!)
Chelsey recently commented about a doll from Sears. I wanted to see if this doll was comparable to Maplelea. This is what I found:
Sears has an 18” “Canadian Fashion Doll” that sells for $29.99. It is important to note that there is actually nothing about this doll that is Canadian except the name. Also, it may be cheaper but there are definite differences in quality. If you held the Sears doll and a Maplelea doll together in your hands you would see that in the hair, vinyl, workmanship, etc. For those on a budget, it is an option but, I hope someone doesn’t buy one thinking that it is comparable to Maplelea or that they are getting a Canadian doll.
Maplelea on the other hand is very Canadian. Although the dolls are not assembled in Canada (because there are no vinyl doll factories in Canada), everything else about Maplelea is done by Canadians—the designing, sculpting, researching, writing, illustration, translation, etc. As well, the journals and journal pages are full of Canadian heritage, geography, culture, etc.
Just as an aside, the name “Canadian Girl” is a registered trademark of Maplelea. They use the Maplelea Girls trademark because it is more distinctive. A lot of people call Maplelea “Canadian Girl” because of the familiarity with American Girl, and it is their trademark so it makes sense.
Those are the facts!
Cynthia – don’t forget the doll comes really well equipped with a beautiful outfit, a few barrettes or a ponytail & ribbon, shoes and a lovely journal. Your daughter will have plenty to do even if you just get the doll alone. For our younger daughter, we got the doll for her 5th birthday, and had her sister give her a hair kit (brush, ribbons, barrettes) and the grandparents gave her an outfit. Then her older sister fell in love, so for her bday we got her the doll – just the doll though. Then at Christmas every year they get a few more things. Any little girl would be very happy with the doll alone – and they come in a spectacular blue box that really doesn’t need wrapping at all. We have kept the boxes (they’re super strong and durable) as a place to keep the dolls and their stuff when they’re not being played with. 1.5 years later and they’re still going strong.
Kath, good idea to let them pick. I should do the same for Suvi. But the problem then becomes how far do I need to go on accessories! I mean, the doll is $100 already, yes? How much additional “stuff” have you had to purchase for your girls to be happy enough with their dolls?
They are pretty cool, though. Wonder when will they come up with a Waterloo girl? I mean, she could have her own Blackberry and work at local hi-tech start up after school. 🙂
We have a couple of these Canadian dolls at home too! Glad you shopped Canadian. We just received the new catelogue in the mail and my girls have already picked out their Christmas presents. I have been very impressed with the quality of these dolls.
My daughter is 5 and for Christmas last year I got her an 18″ Canadian doll from Sears ($30). I’ve never seen an American Girl or Maplelea doll in person so I don’t know what the quality is like compared to them, but she seems to be made well. I was surprised by the darker complexion though. My daughter’s doll looks like she came straight from a vacation in Hawaii (lucky doll!). If you need a cheaper alternative check these dolls out through Sears. (I don’t think there’s any hospital for them mind you which is fine as long as you don’t end up needing one!).
Hey Cynthia, we had our daughters go through the website and pick the girl they liked best – so glad we did ’cause neither picked the one we would have chosen for them 😉
We were just looking at these dolls since the flyer came with a magazine the other day. I think Suvi would love one but I’m just not sure which one would be for her! It’s a tough decision since they’re all such interesting characters!
Really adorable photo. Just so sweet.
My girls both have these dolls, and they are absolutely remarkable. Worth every penny (FYI, they’re not cheap folks!). Both my girls adore their dolls, and we have had to send one off for a visit to the Maplelea Spa – she came back beautifully clean, with brand new hair (following her blowdryer accident) and even had a new outfit: a white terry robe and matching slippers! I agree – the staff were so helpful when our daughter melted her brand new doll’s hair…I’ll never forget their personal touch or how helpful they were.
Even my 9 year-old “too cool for school” daughter is excitedly looking through the new Maplelea catalogue for her Christmas wish list! I heartily recommend these dolls.
And by the way – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pic! It speaks volumes.
what a great idea! when i was in chicago a couple of years, i walked by an American Girl store and there was a huge line-up. I contemplated buying one for my daughter, given that they seemed to be so popular. I didn’t end up getting one because I too thought that why buy something that doesn’t even represent my child’s unique national identity. sounds like these dolls represent the diversity of Canada and they’re really cute!
Only online, Naomi. I would get your order in fast as I am sure the holidays are crazy busy for them!
I LOVE this Jen! Can you only buy them online because I think I need on for Easton!