Strawberry Shortcake grows up

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts) Jun 16th 2008 9:00AM

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My kids have -- and frequently play with -- a large plastic strawberry filled with Strawberry Shortcake characters that were mine when I was a kid. They love the way the dolls smell, the interchangeable hats, and the little rubber shoes that don't constantly fall off (unlike their more modern dolls).

But according to American Greetings Properties, the company who owns Strawberry and her friends, my kids are an anomaly. Modern kids can't relate to the old SS and friends, they say, and either can a whole string of other 1980s characters. So they're all getting makeovers to attract a new generation of fans, while still trying to hook parents with the nostalgia factor. Care Bears are slimming down, TMNT are getting more muscular (but less aggressive), even Mickey Mouse is in the process of getting a new look.

I really don't have a problem with companies remaking favorite brands to make them more modern. When Strawberry was remade a few years ago, she was brought into the 21st century, but she was still clearly a kid. This most recent makeover gives Strawberry a cell phone (goodbye, Custard the cat!), long flowing hair, and those vapid, Bratz-like eyes that are oh-so-popular with manufacturers today.

What do you think about the makeover -- Strawberry Shortcake gone wild or perfect for today's little girls?

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Comments (7)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ShortiRox 6-16-2008 @ 9:06AM

I thought her cat's name was Custard??? Honestly, I don't like the makeover, a cell phone really?

Bethany Sanders 6-16-2008 @ 9:11AM

Shorti --

You're right. Thanks for the head's up!

cml3720 6-16-2008 @ 9:37AM

I was okay with the last strawberry shortcake remake (although that still took a little to get used to), but this is a little much. I can understand wanting to pull in an older crowd, but I will not be buying it for my 6 year old. I have enough cell phone, etc. arguments without hearing "Even Strawberry Shortcake has one!"

Jason 6-16-2008 @ 9:46PM

The thing is that Strawberry Shortcake holds no appeal to girls over the age of 5. My daughter has red hair and was ALL ABOUT Strawberry Shortcake up to about age 4. Then she was introduced to Barbie and Disney and suddenly Strawberry Shortcake was tired, old news. At her recent 6th birthday, she was introduced to Hannah Montana and our house will never be the same.

Making Strawberry Shortcake "grow up" is a bad idea because it alienates the group that loves or will love her and does nothing to capture the imagination of those who have already moved on.

ikate 6-16-2008 @ 2:00PM

The last makeover was fine but this new one is awful! Those eyes and the big head tick me off. When will manufactures get that parents don't like the big-head/doe eye Bratz look?

My 7 year old neice loves to play with my circa-1980s dolls (although I'm a touched freaked out that they still smell so strong!)

queenoqueens 6-16-2008 @ 2:23PM

A cell phone?! Gross. Isn't a cat a perfectly good sidekick/accessory? I thought SS was supposed to be cute, not techno-saavy.

If they're going to insist on aging SS before her time, they should have at least given her a Blackberry to stay with the 'berry' them. Hmmph.