Sunday, November 4, 2012

Léonie Maplelea Girls Review and Giveaway

I was recently offered an opportunity to review and giveaway a product from Maplelea.   For those of you who don’t know Maplelea Dolls– think of American Girls with a Canadian flair.

I have stumbled on their website a few times since Jasmine came to the world and dreamed that one day she could have one.   She is now four years old and I know that she will enjoy spending time with the one I picked for her.  

I had two options I could choose one of the original Maplelea Girls or I could select a doll from their new collection titled Maplelea Friends.   Though the Maplelea Friends have a much larger selection of dolls which reflect the diversity of Canada’s population, I decided to go toward a specific girl in the Maplelea Girls.  I chose Léonie for our review.   Why?   Well it is quite simple.   My husband paternal grand-mother had the name of Léonie.   His grand-parents moved from Quebec to Northern-Ontario and I myself was  born and raised in Quebec.    Jasmine has never met her great-grand-mother Léonie unfortunately.   But when I told my in-laws about this opportunity and showed them the Léonie doll on the website, they just couldn’t believe that she was dressed in red which was the favorite color of my father-in-law’s mom.

2004_05_01_017 
2004 – 90th Birthday of Léonie Lussier (with my father-in-law, my husband and my two oldest kids, Alexandre and Dominic)

What are the Maplelea Girls?
Before there were Maplelea Girls, there was Avonlea Traditions. Avonlea Traditions Inc. is a Canadian owned and operated company founded in 1988. Avonlea began by developing products based on Canada's ever-popular storybook character, Anne of Green Gables and quickly secured a position as the world's largest distributor of products based on this famous storybook heroine. Avonlea Traditions grew beyond “Anne” to design, produce and distribute a large range of award-winning dolls, fine collectibles and giftware.

In 2003, after more than a decade of research, Avonlea Traditions introduced the Maplelea Girls, a line of high quality, Canadian-themed, 18” vinyl play dolls with story journals. Three years later, Avonlea Traditions sold all its other product lines so it could focus exclusively on the Maplelea Girls. The Maplelea Girls line has experienced rapid growth in recent years and offers an ever-increasing range of products specially designed for girls aged 6 to 12. 

This fall, the company is introducing a new selection of doll for your little girl - The Maplelea Friends – which was created to represent the diversity of Canada’s population.   This new line of dolls offers a wide variety of hair, eye, and skin tones from which you can choose.   The dolls come dressed with a graphic tee and corduroy skirt, footless tights and silver shoes designed with a maple leaf detail on it.   The dolls are similar to the MapleLea Girls.   Twelve different styles are available this year. 

Parents will be pleased to know that considerable Canadian talent has gone into creating the Maplelea Girls. All sculpting, designing, researching, writing, illustrating and translations are done by Canadians. The dolls, journals and accessories are all safe, meeting both American and Canadian standards and are regularly tested by independent third party laboratories to ensure compliance.

Our Thoughts
When I first showed my mother-in-law the doll on the iPhone of my husband while visiting them her first reaction was “Oh my goodness, look at what she is wearing Gerry!” to which my father-in-law answered without even looking “Red clothes.”  They couldn’t believe that the doll’s name was Léonie, that she wears red clothing and that she had an heritage from Quebec.  They loved it right away without having even held it in their hands.

When I received the package I had to wait a few hours before being able to put my eyes on Léonie.   The package itself it out of this world.   Once I remove the paper ribbon from around the box, I proceeded to lift the cover of it.   I was immediately in awe, lifting the box and Léonie looked at me with her bright hazel eyes.    The eyes are magnificent, the hair smooth and radiant.   She was beautiful.   The face, arm and legs are made of vinyl but move easily from the body.  The body part is made of soft material that is very nice to hug and squeeze.    Her clothes are stunning – with red boots that looked like leather, a skirt that combines an underwear and the top that is perfect for her body.     Inside the package, I also found a beautiful blue journal containing pages about Léonie and blank ones to fill out for my daughter.   And if you worry about language the journal comes in both official languages!   And each time you purchase a new outfit for the doll, you will also get new collectable and blank pages for the journal.

Not too long after the visit at my in-laws mentioned above, they came over for supper and I had the opportunity to show them the doll. The first reaction of my mother-in-law was that the box was quite heavy and that it was very sturdy. Then she proceeded to open the box with my father-in-law next to her. Both were in awe with the doll. They took her in their hands and admired all the details. My father-in-law made sure that all limbs were working well and started changing his voice to make her talk. It was precious to see this since he has a gift of making the kids laugh when doing that. My husband and I were laughing because it is so natural for him to do that when he picks up any kind of doll or stuff animal.

This doll is definitively a special doll for any girl.   Even though these dolls are designed for kids ages 6 to 12, I think that a mature 5 years old can take good cake of one of them.   Each and every one of the doll are fabulous and would please any little girl in your life.   I chose Léonie for personal reasons as you have read above and also because my daughter has the same color of hair.    I’ve decided to do a little vlog so I can present Léonie to all my readers via video.   Please watch this and continue reading for the giveaway!



Here’s another thing I have discovered from MapleLea.  They offer a special spa program (actually it is a doll replacement program) for whatever accident might occur to the doll – whether the puppy chewed on a leg or the younger sibling ripped an arm off.   You have to undress the doll when sending her in a suitable packaging and ship it to Avonlea Traditions with the amount of 56$ plus 9$ of flat shipping for a total of 65$.   The doll (a new one that is) will be returned after spending two days (business days that is) at the spa – refreshed and looking wonderful.   She will also wear a comfy spa gown and matching slippers as well as get new pages for the journal.    I find this replacement program very original and out of the ordinary.    

IMG_5046The price tag attached to such a doll is 99.99$ Canadian.   Yes it is pricey but when you look at the quality offered for the doll and how it is made, I totally understand the price. And the fact that they offer a flat fee for shipping is interesting as any little girl in Canada could have a loved one order it online.   Now you question might be “Honestly, Canadianladybug, would you have purchased such a doll for your daughter?”   I have to say that more than likely not because we don’t have that kind of budget for birthdays and Christmas (we have four children plus five nephews and nieces).   However, I might consider such a purchase for my daughter simply because her birthday (which is Dec 19th) is very close to Christmas assuming she would understand that this big present is for both celebrations.  

Jasmine will indeed get this doll for her birthday and I promise to post her reaction to this beautiful doll soon after.   An update with her reaction will be posted on Canadianladybug Reviews! near Dec 19th.

Now dear reader would you like to win one of the MapleLea Girls?   If so continue to this special giveaway that I am having in November.

***************************
GREAT NEWS!  
A GIVEAWAY FOR MY CANADIAN READERS…

Since I chose one of the original dolls, I was informed that my giveaway will be for one of the six original dolls at the choice of the winner.   You will be able to choose between Alexi, Brianne, Jenna, Taryn, Léonie and Saila. The company will ship directly to the winner before Christmas.  However, please note that this giveaway if for Canadians only (or Canadians living abroad but can provide a shipping address in Canada). All you have to do is follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below.

 1429_alexi_ka1_box 1429_brianne_kb1 1429_jenna_kj1_box
1429_taryn_box_clipping-path_s10 1429_leonie_kl1_box 1429_saila_ks1_box_clip 

I will draw the winner on November 26th and send an email to that person. Don’t forget to leave your email address in the first mandatory comment as this will allow me to contact you!  The person has 24 hours to reply to my email.   In the event the person doesn’t reply within 24 hours, I will choose another winner.    Once the winner replies to my email with their delivery address and phone number, I will send the information to my contact at KidsStuff PR which in turn will inform MapleLea Girls so that the doll can be shipped and received before Christmas!

Have Fun and Good Luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
*********************
Where can you find the Maplelea Girls? Maplelea Girls are not found in retail shops for the simple reason that the company keeps its costs down by selling directly to the consumer. Plus many Canadian girls do not live near retail outlets that sell high quality specialty toys. By offering a flat $9 shipping fee for any size order traveling anywhere in Canada, all girls have equal access to the product line. Orders can be placed online at www.maplelea.com or by phone at 1-800-668-4339 24 hours/7 days a week.
*********************
Disclaimer: Thanks to KidsStuff and MapleLea Girls for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes and for offering this incredible giveaway to my readers. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

107 comments:

  1. I think Leonie would be great too... after all, I was born in QC!
    Shannon

    ReplyDelete
  2. My daughter wants one of these, and I would love to give her one, but we don't have that kind of budget for Christmas either. They look great!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like the Strong and Free outfit (GO CANADA!) LOL!
    Shannon

    ReplyDelete
  4. marcietenk@hotmail.comNovember 4, 2012 at 3:19 PM

    Receiving the Maplelea Dolls catalogue is like Christmas at our house - we have some of the accessories and our daughter uses them on her Our Generation doll that she received as a gift. Our favourite is Taryn and my daughter really wants a pair of glasses so that her doll, Sandy, will look just like her!

    ReplyDelete
  5. marcietenk@hotmail.comNovember 4, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    Our favourite outfit is "Fantastic Gymnastic".

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love these dolls. I got the Anne of Green Gables one as a little girl. I'd love to get one for my daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My daughter goes nuts over the Maplelea Doll catalogue also but we don't want to spend the money on one just yet. She would adore one though!

    ReplyDelete
  8. We love the Medieval Princess Costume for Brianne!

    ReplyDelete
  9. My daughters would love this.
    ugnius@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd love to win this for my daughter! She would love the Leonie or Brianne doll.

    ReplyDelete
  11. These are beautiful dolls! I know any of my girls would love to have these and the huge benefit is that it is finally a Canadian based toy!!!Love it.
    lamarresinottawa@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. marcietenk@hotmail.comNovember 4, 2012 at 8:09 PM

    My only daughter would receive this doll and I think Taryn would be her choice - she looks just like her!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have been looking at these for several years. But, like you Isabelle, this would be out of our budget, especially with 3 girls who would be of the age to enjoy them. We settled on Our Generation dolls, which are $30, but I can assure you the quality is not as good. The clothes ripped first time trying to put them on. :-(
    juliadriedger at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I learned that nearly a hundred initial design concepts were fabricated prior to finalizing the outfit collection for Maplelea

    dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love that these are wholly representative of Canada. I would like to get the Jenna one.

    Choochoopuppy(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would get the Anne of Green Gables outfit.
    Choochoopuppy(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. leonie is a favorite of my daughters.
    elaine.jasvins@hotmail.ca

    ReplyDelete
  18. Laurentian Winter is the outfit my daughter would love to have.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Leonie is the doll and my daughter would love to have it.<3

    ReplyDelete
  20. I like that it is a Canadian based company.
    samorjj(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I would get Brianne for my future niece.
    samorjj(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would have to go with the Anne of Green Gables outfit!
    samorjj(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. the Taryn doll looks shockingly like my big girl.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I learned that their mission is to make a difference in the lives of Canadian girls by providing dolls and activity products that promote creative play, healthy active lifestyles, and a knowledge and pride of the country we live in.
    I love them,they are gorgeous!
    (Karla Sceviour)

    ksceviour at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would purchase the Hockey Gear for Leonie..neat!
    (Karla Sceviour)

    ksceviour at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would choose Leonie and give it to my neice!
    (karla Sceviour)

    ksceviour at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. These dolls look very high quality. I would choose Saila.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I learned that the company was founded in 1988.
    thanks
    flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would buy the Wild Rose outfit for Taryn

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would choose Taryn if I won and I would give it to my daughter for christmas

    ReplyDelete
  31. I learned that the Saila doll has an Inuit heritage. This would be the one I'd pick for my daughter as I'd like her to have a doll with a different cultural background from her own.

    trisha dot davis at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. If I won a doll I'd pick Saila and get the Aputi Parka outfit for her.

    trisha dot davis at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would pick Saila and give it to my daughter April for her 5th birthday.

    trisha dot davis at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I would love to win one of these dolls for my Granddaughter.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love this idea! And I love the fact that it's totally Canadian :) My daughter would love one of these beautiful dolls!
    stephanie.bergsma@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I would buy the "Wild Rose" outfit for the Taryn doll

    ReplyDelete
  37. If I won, I'd pick the Taryn doll and my daughter would receive it.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I learned the Maplelea Girls, are a line of high quality, Canadian-themed, 18” vinyl play dolls, that are "an inspiration to and a reflection of, Canadian girls from coast to coast."
    I love Brianne!

    tammykd at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I would choose the horse lover outfit for brianne!
    tammykd at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I would choose the Brianne doll for my neice she would love it!
    tammykd at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I think my niece would really like this doll! She just turned nine. debbie (dot) jiang (at) live (dot) com.

    ReplyDelete
  42. P.S. I would get the Canada Day outfit! (Debbie)

    ReplyDelete
  43. and it would be "Taryn" who would wear it (Debbie)

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love how the new Friends dolls allow children to be creative and make their own story for the doll.

    ReplyDelete
  45. My daughter Sarah loves to look at the catalogues that come in the mail for the MapleLea girls, and I am sure she would love the Brianne doll with her pink outfit! It would be so fun to give her one for Christmas! (Stephanie@dixons.ca)

    ReplyDelete
  46. I learned that the doll's face was modeled after a girl from Aurora, Ontario.

    gerry_rita@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I would get the Crochet Coordinates.

    gerry_rita@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. They began developing their products based on the Anne of Green Gables stories

    feffer2077 (at) yahoo (dot) ca

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'll find to think of someone who would enjoy this doll if I win.

    nicole_jm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Love them, love them, love them. I especially love how much of it is produced in Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  51. anitaandrews@live.ca, beautiful dolls and Canadian too!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I learned it is a canadian owned and operated company and founded in 1988..
    tinadmanuel@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I would choose Leonie if i won and my daughter would love her to to pieces..she would definitely receive her for a xmas gift!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I would purchase the Horse Lover outfit for leonie...
    tinadmanuel@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I like Jenna. It is nice to know they are based on Avonlea productions
    cmstellabella(at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I like Brianne.
    bula79 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I would purchase "Splish Splash Sparkle"

    ReplyDelete
  58. My daughter would love Leonie. She is learning French in Grade 1 French Immersion right now:)
    skyalive1976 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I like that you can send your Maplelea doll to the "Spa" to get spruced up -- great idea.

    skyalive1976 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'd purchase the Karate uniform.
    skyalive1976 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I learned that they are exclusively making these dolls only now.

    ReplyDelete
  62. If I win a doll I would pick Taryn. Living in Banff she would need the High Country Hiking outfit. :)

    ReplyDelete
  63. If I win we would pick Taryn for my daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Natasha and I looked through. She loves Alexi! I love that it's a Canadian company.

    ReplyDelete
  65. The outfits that she likes best are the karate and gymnastics ones because those are her two sports. :)

    ReplyDelete
  66. I guess I already answered this, but if I won it would be for my daughter! PS...thought I was already following you on Twitter, but guess not~ now I am!

    ReplyDelete
  67. really hoping to win a doll for my daughter. She really wants Lione.

    lamusicuts at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I love the idea of the friends line and that you can customize the doll yourself!

    kmahillo @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. So hard to pick 1 outfit! What's more patriotic than Strong & Free?

    kmahillo @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I would pick Taryn for my daughter who is turning 3 next month.

    kmahillo @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I would pick Alexi for my little munchkin. Her middle name is Alexis and she will be turning 3 on December 14- and it would make a wonderful birthday-Christmas present!
    Lcbadry@Telus.net. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  73. I love that it's a Canadian focused company

    ReplyDelete
  74. I've just started making clothes for my grand-daughter's Maplelea doll - I would love my very own model! They are all beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  75. I'm Tulipfarmer's sister! and my grand-daughter is only 3 but maybe by the time she is 6 or 7 I can have a collection and wardrobe read to go?!! What can I say - it's hereditary, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  76. I would love to get this for my daughter. She has just recently gotten into dolls. greg_and_sheri@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I would love to have one of these beautiful dolls for my grandaughter

    ReplyDelete
  78. One week to go. What a great giveaway. Either the Brianne or Leonie doll would be my choice for my grand daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  79. I would love to win the doll Saila. There is not a lot of Inuit dolls, she is very cute.
    lennysma@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I would choose Saila for my daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  81. I love that this is a Canadian company and the dolls are based on life in various provinces.

    carrie dot rogozinski at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I love Taryn and her ice skating outfit (possibly because I figure skated)

    ReplyDelete
  83. I would pick Taryn. She'd be for my oldest but I know my youngest would want her too...I foresee fights in the future

    ReplyDelete
  84. I learned that the Maplelea Dolls were designed to be positive role models for girls.
    jsmom92 at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. I would choose the Pack-it-Jacket outfit for the Taryn doll if I won.

    ReplyDelete
  86. If I won I would choose Taryn for my niece.

    ReplyDelete
  87. I think my daughter would love to own Brianne.

    ReplyDelete
  88. I like that the Phone lines are open 24 hours/day 7 days/week.

    ReplyDelete
  89. I love Taryn's Bernese Mountain Dog.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Love the Canadian content. mr.canoehead+raffle@gmail

    ReplyDelete
  91. Well a little over 2 days and there will be a winner. Sure hope it is me.......

    ReplyDelete
  92. I learned that Avonlea Traditions is a Canadian owned and operated company founded in 1988

    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
    belinda mcnabb

    ReplyDelete
  93. I love that they've added the new friends line that you can personalize yourself and that this new line includes other skin colours and hair tones. :) That makes me happy.

    ReplyDelete
  94. I'd love to get Saila's full traditional outfit. I love her little Pang hat, her Kamiks and the Amauti. So cute! :)

    ReplyDelete
  95. If I won, I would get Saila - I'd either give it to my niece, or to my bestie, who is currently living in Pangnirtung, Nunavut. :)

    ReplyDelete
  96. I love that these are Canadian themed and show our country's great diversity.

    ReplyDelete
  97. My DD would love one of these dolls, particularly Alexi. I think she would identify with her creative side. :) Thank you for the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  98. My DD would love the snowflake pjs for her Alexi. I think these would be perfect because she loves making sure that all her dolls and animals are tucked in bed at night for a good sleep. :) Thank you for the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Truly CANADIAN dolls, it's wonderful :D

    ReplyDelete
  100. I would love to win Brianne for my girls.

    aniaspassion(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  101. my daughter would love these dolls
    thenormands@rogers.com

    ReplyDelete