Doll:My Child

Mattel, Inc., offered felt-skinned, cuddly My Child dolls from 1985 to 1988. The cloth dolls, available as boys and girls stood 14 inches high. By combining complexion, eye, and hair color and other features, the toy company intended to offer each doll owner a one-of-a-kind companion, similar to the uniqueness of Cabbage Patch Kids, which debuted in a big way two years before My Child's introduction. Doll buyers could select among American, Australian-European, African-American, and Hispanic dolls; dolls with brown, blue, aqua, or green eyes; dolls with a variety of hair colors and styles; and dolls that represented boys or girls. The dolls had posable legs and a mechanism that moved their arms to hug. Their large, soulful eyes and soft skin made of felt gave the dolls a particularly charming appeal.