Toys that teach - educational toys for African-American children

Ebony, Nov, 1993 by Lisa C. Jones

THE land of fun and imagination moves a step closer to reality and relevance for African-American children this season. A multitude of brown-skinned superheroes, pride-driven games and puzzles and dolls the color of the Black rainbow, will probably give a needed boost to the self-esteem of Black children.

Responding to the pleas of Black parents who want more culturally sound toys and gift items on the holiday shelves, an increasing number of toy manufacturers and major retailers, such as Toys |R' Us, have responded to the wave of ethnic awareness and are producing new, alternative and supplemental playthings that specifically target African-American youngsters. Their efforts have been met with great enthusiasm and soaring profits, making the mounting retail toy industry $17 billion strong.

This year's treasure chest, filled with trinkets meant to educate as well as entertain, captures the attention of toddlers, teens and the in-betweens with goodies rich in the history and heritage of the African-American culture.

Girls peek into the past with the Pleasant Co.'s Addy Walker doll, a 9-year-old girl growing up in the midst of the Civil War. With a trilogy of books that details her life through Reconstruction (three more books are to follow next year), the collectible doll clothed in a prairie dress, the company and field boots, celebrates the courage of African-American pioneers. Made of cloth and soft brown vinyl, she bats her eyes, walks and coyly swings her brown hair.

Another doll that is sure to please is Tyco's hairstyling Party Kenya. Festooned in a dainty party dress with a kente cloth pouch at the wrist, this 13" vinyl princess looks lovely with ribbons and bells dangling from her braided hair.

Tiny girls -- and boys -- will enjoy the likeness of Playskool's new Kids of Color Rag Dolls. Just big enough for little bands to hold, each of the soft-bodied dolls with painted faces and kente cloth garb makes a faint noise when squeezed. The baby boy rag doll sports a cap with visor. The girl doll wears a delicate ruffled bonnet.

Older children are sure to clamor for many returning favorites. Olmec's superhuman Sun-Man, who draws his power from his magical melanin skin, continues to awe young dreamers, as do the company's stylish male and female fashion figurines.

And a sleighful of culturally inspired books, games, cards and puzzles await to engage young minds in the lessons of their past, their accomplishments and their role models.

In the past, toys that celebrate the features and experiences of Black children were, for the most part, a dream, but today they are an exciting and welcome reality.