Toys that celebrate you

It's that time again. Mothers and fathers across the land are beginning to scurry in a hurry looking for the perfect toy for their little girl or boy. Last year, parents raided the nations toy store shelves to the cash-register ring of $20 million in hopes of finding the cuddliest teddy bear, the fastest hot rod and the cutest baby doll in town.

Along with the fanciful and sometimes costly stocking stuffers Santa's helpers find nowadays, Black parents are increasingly finding dolls, action figures, games and books that reflect the diversity of the African-American culture.

No longer do parents have to send their Black daughters mixed messages by telling them they are beautiful on the one hand, yet buying them blonde, blue-eyed dolls on the other. And no longer must Black boys attempt to emulate the White hero figures they see in the media, for a growing number of major toy retailers, like Toys `R' Us, are stoking their shelves with beautiful dolls and handsome action figures that reflect the colors of the Black rainbow. African-American children can now choose from an abundance of rag and vinyl dolls with skin tones ranging from butterscotch to cinnamon and hairstyles that range from bouncy blacks curls to sandy red braids and dreadlocks.

Five years ago, Tyco Toys launched its Kenya doll line. Today, Kenya stands as an example of African-American beauty for many young girls. The toy company says its newest Kenya doll, Hairplay Fun Kenya, is the ultimate African-American hairstyling doll. This soft, vinyl beauty comes with colorful beads, rubber bands, a special styling guide and magical hair lotion. Tyco also introduces Bedtime Kenya, a cuddly soft doll dressed in a comfy nightgown. Bedtime Kenya comes with a special book of poems and illustrations. After a tuck-in and a little bedtime reading, Kenya, who has eyes that open and close, and her bedtime pal are sure to get a good nights sleep.

Responding to parents, demand for more Black-oriented toys, Black toy companies have created beautiful images that reflect the cultural diversity of the African-American community. Olmec Toys, founded 11 years ago, is the largest minority-owned to company in America. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., Olmec continues to provide a wide selection of dolls, action figures and other gift items especially produced with African-American children in mind. One of Olmec's newest high-fashion dolls is Imani Crimp and Bead, which sports beautiful dreadlocks that can be bent and pressed into different styles and accented with colorful beads. Golden Ribbon Playthings is yet another toy company that produces Black toys. The company's new Damali Braids and Curls is a beautiful brown-skinned doll. Little girls can change her hairstyle by simply putting on special muffin hats that already have rod curls or braided styles underneath. And the Black-owned, Minneapolis-based Cultural Toys teams up with the Mahogany division of Hallmark Cards this season to introduce PendaKids - soft, Caribbean-inspired dolls that come with vibrant clothing, ethnic features and colorful pets.

Other doll-time favorites to keep in mind during the holidays are Mattel's "Snookums" dolls, Cap Toys' "My Baby's Splish Splash Bubble Bath," and Kenner's "Juice 'n Cookies Baby Alive" and "Baby Go Bye, Bye."

Your little rough-riders will have more than race cars, prehistoric dinosaurs and fire-breathing dragons to choose from this season. There are also numerous Black superheroes, games and other gadgets bound to intrigue and educate feisty young minds. Olmec's Sun-Man, with his mighty melanin-powered skin, continues to enthrall youngsters. And the company's redesigned Black Bronze Bombers, who are equipped with mighty armor, encourage children to do the right thing in the face of adversity.

Another popular action figure line is Spawn, which is based on a comic book story that centers around the adventures of an African-American family.

After playing with superheroes from outerspace, young African-Americans can take an imaginary flight mission with Hot Wheels' new computer cars, which are computer trading disks that provide collectors with information and sounds of their favorite souped-up rides. This new high-tech wonder comes with a car, an informative disk and an interactive comic book.

This Yuletide season children and adults alike will also enjoy reading a number of culturally rich books that express Black pride and share tales about great Black artists, legends and icons. Among the new works are Jacob Lawrence: American Scenes, American Struggles; Mandela: From the Life of the South African Statesman; Bill Pickett: Rodeo-Ridin' Cowboy; Dear Benjamin Banneker; and Wilma Unlimited.

Heritage-based games are also popular. Olmec quizzes players, knowledge of Black inventors with its Black By Design Game memory matching card game. Pennsylvania-based WB Adams Puzzles and Games emphasizes education and family togetherness with its selection of history-based playthings. The company's 300-piece puzzle sets strengthen primary motor skills with pictures of heroes, past and present, in its Portraits of African-American History jigsaw puzzle. Another interesting offering is the Kwanzaa Family Celebration puzzle.