To make a complaint to the ELC...

[MrsDrRanj]

...and perhaps even more toy stores too?

I have been looking for dolls/books/toys that represent multiculturalism for DS for Christmas. He is mixed race and surrounded by all different colours of family members and I would like it if his toys and books could also represent that.

I am looking at the ELC website in the dolls section. Pages and pages of dolls, two are black. The rest are white. No Asian, mixed race etc.

Aibu to be appalled at this and consider complaining to them? I don't think I should have to go to a specialist shop to find dolls or books with a range of races.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

I'm horrified that the ELC now do dolls. I thought their entire point was to avoid them? But yes, YWNBU to complain.

[MrsDrRanj]

Did they not used to do dolls then whys that?

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

My SIL was asked if she was 'sure she wanted that set. There is a white set' when she went to buy ELC dolls house figures.

She left, without making a purchase.

She is, incidentally, Indian!

[LionelRichieAndTheWardrobe]

Make the complaint to mothercare they were the ones that took early learning centre and ripped the heart from it.

[KeepMeCalm13]

Smyths have beautiful dolls in various skin tones.

www.smythstoys.com/dolls-40sc/la-newborn-giftset-aa-116976itm.aspx

www.smythstoys.com/dolls-40sc/lots-to-love-bath-time-doll-129105itm.aspx

www.smythstoys.com/dolls-40sc/lots-to-love-bath-time-doll-129112itm.aspx

[bundaberg]

judy!!! ffs

[TokenGirl1]

ELC are not like they used to be now that they are owned by Mothercare.

I used to be proud that I worked for them in the 90's as they had superb principles such as no gender stereotyping and amazing customer service. Never really had that impression when I've shopped in Mothercare. ....

[KarenHL]

MrsD, I get dolls from PlayMerrily. One thing I like is she sells pretty much every skin tone you can imagine. I love them (no, I don't work for her, but buy from the website a couple of times a year). Fab customer service too.

[Daddy1001]

No, definitely complain, they won't change if you don't.

[LionelRichieAndTheWardrobe]

Token

[MrsDrRanj]

Thanks for the links keepmecalm those do look good.

Perhaps I have been naive in thinking I could go into any toy store to find dolls in a range of races. I feel really disappointed that this is still the case

[MerryMarigold]

John Lewis have a couple of nice dolls:
corolle
another one

Corolle do lovely dolls and they last.

I bought a 'brown' one in Toys R Us which was their own brand.

[oodyboodyboocs]

I agree with you, I think it is something that should be raised with stores. I was looking for a doll for my dd this week and commented to my dh that all the main doll brands do a range of white doll's with one token coloured doll which has the same features as the white doll but the plastic is a different colour, and none at all that represent any other ethnicity. I'd also like to see more boy dolls and a more choice of dolls clothes and accessories that are not pink/purple.

[MrsDrRanj]

And thank you, karen having a look now

[Daddy1001]

help.elc.co.uk/help/email-page?entryID=&moduleID=&topicID=

Email form for ELC if anyone feels inspired.

[Coupon]

YANBU. Of course there should be dolls of various colours, not just to be played with by children with the same skin colour, but as a normal variety of what people look like.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

DD has Groovy Girls. A range of them and I had the opposite problem as she was given them by a little girl we know who is mixed heritage. I suddenly realised DD didn't have one doll that looked like her, they were all dolls of colour.