Checking Our List #37: Hearts For Hearts Girls Dolls {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Heather R!}

There are some toys that are there purely for entertainment, which is completely fine. It is a toy, after all. Then there are those that fall into the "educational toys" category, which are a great addition to any child's life seeing as they are fun while also encouraging learning at the same time.

But what if there was something more? What if there was a way to provide girls with a toy that they could enjoy playing with while, at the same time, helping to instill a sense of compassion? One that gives knowledge and a feeling of global responsibility? Inspiration and encouragement to take action in their own community?

Sounds like it wouldn't be a toy that kids would really want to play with... until you see the Hearts For Hearts Girls in person and realize that they truly are a beautiful collection of dolls.

With a mission to empower girls to become agents of change in their communities, countries and around the world, the Hearts For Hearts Girls are out to change the planet one heart at a time. Each of the six dolls is based on a real girl who has done something to rise above the challenging circumstances in her life to make a positive impact and demonstrate her strength, intelligence and courage... which, from my point of view, is a nice change from some of the dolls out on the market that seem to be there just to show little girls how to dress like they're 21.

Spanning the globe, from Lilian of Belarus to Rahel of Ethiopia to Nahji of India, these dolls do so much more than just provide an attractive plaything. As well as encouraging traditional imaginative pretend play with their intricate details and colorful accessories, a portion of the purchase price is donated to World Vision, a humanitarian charity that runs programs to help support children and families in countries worldwide.

Whether it’s malaria nets in Africa, schoolbooks in Asia, or food supplies in the US, these programs help girls to thrive and succeed. Therefore, each new Hearts For Hearts owner ends up with a high quality, well-crafted doll to play with as well as a realization that their purchase made a difference in the world and that they themselves can take even small steps to promote change.

When Consuelo from Mexico arrived, it was easy to see just how much care and thought went into designing this stunning doll.

Standing 14" tall, Consuelo has a smooth, vinyl body with movable arms, legs and head and shining black hair that ends past her waist. Her ruffled, turquoise skirt and lime green top are bright and colorful, matching well with her hot pink flower headband and shoes and the bright beads on her silver hoop earrings. Standing on her own, Consuelo really is part toy and part collector's item.

As well as Consuelo's fashion accessories (including a comb for her extra-long hair), she also comes with a H4HG power bracelet displaying their tagline, "Changing the world one heart at a time." And, to get to know her true story, each doll arrives with a storybook telling about their lives and giving girls a better understanding of what it means to take action.

Big Sister E sat completely still and silent while I read her Consuelo's life story from Mexico City. Through her family's bakery, she and her mother set up a no-cost restaurant to help feed the hungry children in her neighborhood that can't afford food. In the end, not only are these children provided with food, but they learn lessons about life, manners and respect - all due to Consuelo and her caring enough to want to help.

After I finished reading, Big Sister E took a moment to study Consuelo and look through the book herself, before directing me to read it again while she happily combed through the doll's hair.

With girls in many countries lacking in education, medical care, decent housing and clean water and food, all it takes is a little help to push them in the direction of achieving amazing things for themselves and their families. The idea that parents can provide their daughter with an exquisite, award-winning, multi-cultural doll that can easily teach about world cultures... well, it just makes you feel good all over.

From the intricate and authentic clothing to the country-specific jewelry (which are small and removable, leading to a 6+ age recommendation) to their personal storybook, each Hearts For Hearts Girls doll would be a welcome gift to any girl, as well as her parents, this holiday season. Who knows? She may be moved enough to grow up and change the world!

Retailing for an extremely affordable $24.99, H4HG dolls can be found at select retailers as well as online from Target or Toys R Us. Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be able to bring home a soon-to-be cherished doll while teaching kindness and supporting a good cause, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of Hearts For Hearts Girls doll!

To enter to win: Visit Hearts For Hearts Girls and tell me something you learned or which of these caring dolls is your favorite.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a Hearts For Hearts Girls doll over there as well!
1 Extra Entry if you Like Hearts For Hearts Girls on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Holiday Gift Guide giveaways (Checking Our List giveaways ONLY) running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Checking Our List 37: #WIN a Hearts For Hearts Girls doll for fun as well as compassion! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/fxWOQl #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
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3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Hearts For Hearts Girls. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on January 7th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Hearts For Hearts Girls for providing a Consuelo doll for me to review as well as the doll of choice for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.