The Rubens Farm doll is fantastic quality and full of character – we’ve passed our doll on to a younger friend who absolutely adores playing with the doll, nursing it, dressing it, and walking it around the town. I’m confident she’ll still be playing with it next Christmas!

Lalaloopsy’s head is too big and ungainly for her wee little body.  No matter what you did with it the massive head flopped over or back.
Buy online: Amazon.co.uk
£22.99
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Initial thoughts: Lalaloospy looked like a …

Baby Annabell is a great doll, well made and just perfect for a little person. Squidge has never been one to play with baby dolls but Baby Annabell appears to have changed that. The doll is just interactive enough to keep her engaged and entertained. Those Baby Annabell people are on to something!

As soon as I saw this, I knew it would be perfect for my eight year old daughter as she’s starting to outgrow her ‘baby’ dolls. We’ve always been a fan of Baby Annabel dolls and this is a lovely teenage version with her own stylish outfit and lovely long hair that you can style.

This would make a very attractive looking gift for someone, but given the amount of time my daughter has spent with it, I feel that the £25 price tag is a little high. It would be best suited to a ‘girly girl’ who likes trying out make up, my daughter does enjoy a little bit of make up play from time to time but she is more in her element with ‘drawing’ and art / craft related play.

When I opened the box to find Teeny Tiny Tears staring up at me, I was a bit terrified! I had one doll when I was growing up and I didn’t know how I felt about letting Ella, 16 months, have a baby doll! I decided that my hang ups shouldn’t influence Ella and that she needed to decide for herself if she wanted to play with it so I unwrapped the Teeny Tiny Tears and left it out for her to discover in the morning. Much to my amazement, Ella was enamoured of Teeny Tiny Tears from the moment she saw her. She scooped her right up, grabbed the “magic” bottle and fed her and cradled her and carried her all around the lounge, albeit by the head most of the time. She was smitten! I was put in my place.

The Imajo Organic Classic Softie Rag Doll is a lovely and soft organic rag doll which has become a firm favourite with my daughter – but at £18.95, I think you could find a cheaper rag doll with similar features. However, if organic and ethically sourced toys are for you, the Imajo Organic Classic Softie Rag Doll is a great investment, and perfect for a first doll.

“Not another doll?” was my husband’s first response when Melanie the rag doll arrived in our house, but i was actually quite pleased as she was a welcome relief to the mountain of crying plastic dolls strewn across the play room. Melanie comes complete with pretty blond plaited pig tails, pink gingham pyjamas and a giant smile, she’s soft and very cuddly.