| The world as we know it is really messed up. | | | | she cares for animals in her Veterinarian |
| Mattel and Fisher Price, the very people who | | | | persona. She has appeared as a teacher, on |
| brought us Tickle-Me-Elmo as the toy of the | | | | horseback, as a gymnast, a ballet dancer as |
| season last Christmas, have allowed some of | | | | well as modeling her annual Christmas outfit. |
| America's babies to play with and put in | | | | You can buy her dressed in costumes |
| their little mouths, toys painted with lead | | | | representing countries around the world. |
| paint. I do accept the explanation that their | | | | Barbie loves Tickle-Me-Elmo as much as the |
| executives set guidelines for the factory | | | | kids do. She comes packaged with a little |
| owners in China. Part of the directive was | | | | copy of him. She wears a picture of him on |
| don't use lead paint, however someone should | | | | her shirt and carries a purse with him |
| have followed up on that. This is not a case | | | | peeking from the front of it and his face is |
| of putting the wrong labels on clothing and | | | | on her belt buckle. He giggles when you press |
| not having it fit the American baby. This is | | | | his tummy just as the big acrobatic one does. |
| an extreme danger to the little toddlers. How | | | | The only warning on the box says "WARNING May |
| ironic that parents are buying educational | | | | Cause Uncontrollable Laughter." I hope that |
| toys - that may cause brain damage if - | | | | indicates we don't have to worry about lead |
| change that to when - they put them in their | | | | paint on this toy. |
| mouths. It will be some time before the | | | | |
| company regains the trust of the American | | | | Let's create a fictitious little girl about |
| public. | | | | six years old. For fun we'll name her Ruby |
| | | | Doo. She loves her Elmos (and I say Elmos |
| On the positive side, Fisher Price/Mattel has | | | | since there is the first Elmo from ten years |
| brought us that amazing Tickle-Me-Elmo. He | | | | ago, the Chicken Dance Elmo, the Hokey Pokey |
| can laugh, kick his feet in the air after | | | | Elmo who sits next to the Elmo who simply is |
| falling on his back. He can then roll over | | | | stuffed and soft and looks cute. He must be |
| and stand up all by himself. He even does a | | | | named old-fashioned Elmo. She lines them up |
| somersault. All this with one arm attached to | | | | and plays with one every now and then. |
| his body. Did I mention that he can talk. I | | | | |
| cannot praise him enough for his comedic | | | | This week though it is her Barbie doll house |
| value. | | | | and little sister Chrissy who keep her busy. |
| | | | I'm not sure which companies make all the |
| Back to the negative. That Barbie is still a | | | | craft toys but they are wonderful and she |
| sexy little thing for the three to seven year | | | | loves making things with them. But the latest |
| old set. Sure her hair is beautiful and I | | | | advance that has mothers sighing with relief |
| believe she dumped Ken last year, but she | | | | is the finger painting book which sells with |
| still has her feet permanently ready to slip | | | | paint that won't show up except on the paper |
| in to high heels. She has definitely raised | | | | it was intended to show up on. I think it is |
| her aspirations from wanting to settle down | | | | made by Crayola. I don't know how she or he |
| in her townhouse with Ken and drive around in | | | | did it but the employee who invented this |
| her convertible with her hair flowing behind | | | | deserves a big raise. From the mothers of |
| her. Barbie has evolved into a modern girl. | | | | America, we don't know what your name is but |
| You will find her on the shelf at your | | | | thank you - thank you - thank you.. |
| favorite store wearing her white lab coat as | | | | |