Twilight Barbie dolls beg the question: Vampires are now playtime fun?
Wow, we've come a long way in the doll world. When Totally Stylin' Tattoo Barbie came out earlier this year, some Mommas thought that might be a bit over the top. Then another outrageous doll -- dubbed Sugar Daddy Ken -- had people ranting all over the blogosphere last week, although I couldn't find anything on him on the Mattel site, making me wonder if it was for real.
But these dolls are real all right: the Barbie Twilight Bella and Barbie Twilight Edward. The dolls are, of course, based on the blood-sucking characters from the hit vampire series of Twilight books and films (a new one is out -- The Twilight Saga: New Moon -- on Nov. 20). A little late for Halloween, but not for a movie tie-in.
As a Momma, you have to wonder who's supposed to be playing with these toys. Vampires have generally been regarded as alluring because they offer immortality in exchange for giving in to forbidden lust. For younger kids, though, vampires aren't alluring -- they're just plain scary.
Also, do these dolls come with cool accessories, like a cross to keep them away? How about a little plastic vampire bat named Skipper? How about a Nosferatu Ken?
Each doll costs about $25 and you can buy them at places like Walmart and Barbiecollector.com. A quick check at target.com found that the dolls were already out of stock.
Since the new characters in New Moon are werewolves, look soon for a Jacob Black doll. (No word on whether it comes with silver bullets or maybe a flea collar).
-- Sherry Robinson
Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.
Amy Hollyfield is a workaholic mother of two young
daughters, blessed to have a work-at-home husband who makes their life possible. She was born in Detroit and moved around a lot as a kid (read: Air Force brat). She has lived in Florida since the month after she
graduated from Northwestern University. She lives for the yelps, hugs and kisses that greet her on nights that she makes it home before bedtime.
Sherry Robinson was born in the Sunshine State but she feels more comfortable inside a mall than outside at the beach -- thank goodness her husband is the outdoorsy type. He takes their two sons on night hikes, beach runs and bug hunts while Sherry does her best to take care of the homestead -- and find out what is new on the store shelves. A graduate of the University of South Florida in 19noneofyourbusiness, Sherry has been at the Times for nearly 20 years. And with nearly 10 years of parenting experience, Sherry is eager to offer up some great dish on raising kids and keeping your sanity.
Guest blogger Tracey Henry, a.k.a. Suburban Diva, is a frantic, slightly frazzled mother of four. She is a freelance humor writer and author which is the only thing that parenting four children ages 12-1 trains you for, except perhaps court jester and professional bull rider. She and her husband have lived all over the country, but settled in Florida eight years ago because the beachcombing is so much better here than on the banks of the Mississippi. Their family time includes a lot of sport -- both watching and playing -- and fun in the sun and surf. Catch her in Whoa, Momma! and on her site, 
Sherri Day and her husband welcomed their daughter into the world in early 2008. So far, she describes parenthood as exciting, exhausting and exhilarating. A self-described Southern belle with small-town values and big-city idealism, Sherri was born in rural Georgia. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Clark Atlanta University and her master's of journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She is the Brandon bureau chief for the Times. Sherri moved to Tampa from Brooklyn four years ago.
Is this the latest thing we have to get all offended by? Morons.
Posted by: Tony | November 05, 2009 at 10:00 AM
These dolls are obviously meant to be collector's items. One would not buy them to play with. Although if your child reads the books & has seen the movie, the dolls should not be a problem. This would be a good teaching opportunity for teens about collector's items vs. toys.
Posted by: Karen2104 | November 04, 2009 at 11:13 AM
seriously, are you new to the world of Barbie Sherry Robinson? They are for adults. The "My Fair Lady," Cher, Batgirl, Supergirl, were all for adults as well. Adults collect them and Barbie strikes while the iron is hot on fads like "Twilight." I would question your parenting if you bought the Edward doll for your little girl but i question your research now for writing this fluff piece about a subject you seem to be ignorant of
Posted by: missy | November 04, 2009 at 08:10 AM
A bat named Skipper? That sounds pretty good to me. It should come with little flying insects as its friends. The Skipper bat would go well with my Skipper doll.
Posted by: Kimberly | November 03, 2009 at 08:47 PM
Don't think "beg the question" means what you think it means
Posted by: James | November 03, 2009 at 08:15 AM