Sasha, Malia Beanie Babies Made

CHICAGO — The company that makes the popular Beanie Babies is hoping for two more big winners with dolls named "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia."

But, no, the names do not refer to President Barack Obama's daughters, a Ty Inc. spokeswoman says. Honest!

Ty released the 12-inch dolls as part of the company's "TyGirlz Collection." The Sasha doll has pigtails and wears a white and pink dress with hearts. The Malia doll has a side ponytail and a long-sleeve shirt with capri pants.

The Oak Brook-based company chose the names because "they are beautiful names," not because of any resemblance to Malia and Sasha Obama, said spokeswoman Tania Lundeen.

"There's nothing on the dolls that refers to the Obama girls," Lundeen said. "It would not be fair to say they are exact replications of these girls. They are not."

The dolls have bronze skin and "real doll hair," Lundeen said. They were introduced in early January and a limited supply has been shipped to retailers.

In the real world, 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia have been the focus of intense interest. A throng of reporters followed their first day at school, and news reports detailed what they wore on Inauguration Day.

That fascination will make the dolls a success, said Denise Gary Robinson, president of DollsLikeMe.com, an online specialty doll boutique that specializes in ethnic dolls, toys and gifts.

"Girls all over the world, of all colors, will be looking for these dolls. They want to identify with these two girls," Robinson said.

Among the 30 other TyGirlz pictured on Ty's Web site are ones named Lindsay, Britney, Paris, Hillary and Jenna (but no Barbara.) The collection was introduced in 2007.

Public figures have a legal right to control their how their images are used, but Lundeen would not comment on legal issues or if the company's lawyers have become involved with the dolls.

___

On the Net:

Ty Inc.: http://www.ty.com/newhome

Comments

[lisasp]

The great thing is that there are beautiful black dolls out there that African American children (or any other child for that matter) can enjoy. Karito Kids are ethnically accurate, age-appropriate dolls and books that teach kids about children in other countries and about charity around the world. The company gives a percentage of the retail price to a children's charity and the child goes online to choose where the money should go -- to one of 4 child-based projects around the world.

[tlgeiger62]

Email the company (and hopefully take down the website with all the traffic being sent in their direction) and tell them what you think:

http://www.ty.com/newhome

[deexdt]

They are also the only ethnic girls in the whole TY Girlz collection. Coincidence? I think not. Ty needs some new PR people that will stop insulting our intelligence.

[myabee]

i will purchase the dolls for my niece and for myself as keepsakes.

[tlgeiger62]

You do so against the wishes of the Obama family. Have some respect why don't you.

[SecretSister]

From the dolls, plates, coins, and chia pets, the retailers are promoting their wares continuously on TV.

I try not to complain too much about it because the sale of these items might be the only new things stimulating our economy at this time. Ouch!

[TLaw]

Everyone is trying to bloody capatalise on the Obama's "for lack of a better word" FAME! HOW PATHETIC!

[tigerlille]

I' will be buying these dolls for my daughter, who is Chinese. She loves Sasha and Malia, and I do too. How nice that the current "in" dolls are nonwhite!

[tlgeiger62]

The Obama family is outraged by these dolls. They should be boycotted, not purchased, out of respect for the family.

[Highwind]

Did they ask the Obama if they could do that? People just think they can make money off them like this? It's wrong.

[jillsond]

Are Sasha and Malia Hawaiian? I wasn't aware of that.

[TLaw]

No, they are not Hawaiian . They were born in Illinois.

[tlgeiger62]

They are Americans.

[thelipstickfemme]

http://www.ty.com/newhome

Oh, contact the manufacturer of the dolls "Ty" and complain there. I just contacted them with my complaint and suggestions.

[thelipstickfemme]

I just wrote the company to complain. I know it won't make any difference, but this is surly suspect due to the timing and the obvious reference to the two first children.

When I wrote I asked if they had the courtesy to ask the Obamas for permission (I already know the answer from reading the article, but I thought I'd ask a rhetorical question none the less.). I also told them that the timing was very suspect and they are lacking in proper consideration.

Ok, I get it everyone else is monopolizing on the first family, but I feel that they should a least get permission, and at least offer a percentage of their profits to a social service agency or a a deserving school that is lacking funds to update their offerings, pay their teachers a decent wadge, and update their building and get them up to code.

[shirleyfeeney]

suuuuuurrr­rreeee....­..

[KillBillV2]

L iars! They know they were naming them after Sasha and Malia. Even more evidence is that both of the dolls come together and are "ethnic"

[Ugonna]

exactly! They think we're stupid. Please. I don't like this at all. They're making these girls even bigger celebrities than they should be, and it worries me.

[mp285]

I'm on the fence (they're on the shelf!). I keep trying to be annoyed. Then I kinda want one. What have they done to me?

[Polichick66]

I feel the same way, annoyed, but I want to have them anyway!

[myabee]

i agree. it's up to the purchaser. i tend to purchase them and admire them. they were done in good taste.

[tlgeiger62]

Show some restraint for heaven's sake ... show the Obama family some respect and do NOT purchase them. DO contact the company and let them know your opinion.

http://www.ty.com/newhome

[C IH8U2]

Those are ugly dolls. They don't look like wither of them. And more to the point, Sasha and Malia do not look alike, so neither should the dolls look like eachother. Anything for a buck I guess!

[seasun]

Beenie babies are supposed to look like Beenie Babies, not like real babies