Strawberry Shortcake Collectibles

Muriel Fahrion created the original design of Strawberry Shortcake and her cat, Custard in 1977. At the time, Fahrion was a greeting card illustrator at American Greetings' Juvenile & Humorous card department. Once Shortcake and Custard were submitted to General Mills and became a licensing entity, Fahrion designed thirty-two characters for Those Characters From Cleveland ( the toy & licensing design division of American Greetings).

Cindy Moyer Patton and Janet Jones designed the other later characters of the classic Strawberry Shortcake line. Lyn Edwards along with brainstorming group developed the personality profiles, story line, and philosophy for marketing. The first doll was a rag doll created by Susan Trentel, Fahrion's sister.

Sweet Strawberry Shortcake characters each had their own fruity or dessert themed name with clothing to match along with a dessert or fruit named pet. Strawberry Shortcake dolls and the other character dolls had hair scented to match their dessert theme. Strawberryland is where the characters lived and played.

In the 1980s, Strawberry Shortcake became quite popular for children all around the country. There were several related products for the children to play with. Merchandise included sticker albums, clothes, a video game by Parker Bros., roller skates, records, books and several other products. TV specials were produced featuring the characters from 1980 and 1985. Popularity declined at about that time and Kenner stopped producing the dolls.

In 1991, THQ (Toy Headquarters) attempted a revival of the franchise by producing an updated line of Strawberry Shortcake dolls. Strawberry and five of friends each received a makeover with new clothes, hair, and eyes. The new line was a modest success and lasted only about 1 year.

2002, brought a new revival of the franchise. A new designer gave the characters a new look. Strong licensing agreements were struck. A television series with new DVD and VHS releases were produced, and soundtracks for the episodes released on CDs at varying intervals. DiC Entertainment was granted rights in producing the TV series, who sub-licensed the production of videos, DVDs and Video CDs of the series to 20th Century Fox Home Videos (who subsequently licenses the production of the video outside the US to various other licensees). Bandai (along with KellyToy) was granted the rights to manufacturing the dolls and toys. After almost two decades, new videogames were launched, produced by The Game Factory for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. Educational CD-ROMs for the PC were also produced.

Playmates Toys acquired the rights to make Strawberry Shortcake figures in 2006. The line got a new name "A World Of Friends". A full-length feature film Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie, premiered in 2006 and was released to video in February 2007.

The Playmates line was received with mixed reception from fans of the series with mostly negative results. Playmates Toys lost the rights to Hasbro with a planned release of new toys for the fall of 2009. However that may not happen, on July 23, 2008, Cookie Jar Entertainment announced the acquisition of the franchise from American Greetings to be completed on September 30, 2008. It is unclear as to whether Cookie Jar will work with Hasbro or license with a different toy company at this time.

Image of Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Ragdoll

1. Strawberry Shortcake
   
2. Huckleberry Pie
   
3. Blueberry Muffin
   
4. Apple Dumplin'
   
5. Raspberry Tart
   
6. Plum Puddin'
   
7. Orange Blossom
   
8. Lemon Meringue
   
9. T.N. Honey
   
10. Apricot
    
11. Butter Cookie
    
12. Lime Chiffon
    
13. Cherry Cuddler
    
14. Angel Cake
    
15. Almond Tea
    
16. Café Olé
    
17. Crepe Suzette
    
18. Mint Tulip
    
19. Lem and Ada
    
20. Peach Blush
    
21. Baby Needs-A-Name
    
22. Banana Twirl

Supporting Cast

• Mr. Sun
  
• Lucky Bug
  
• Escargot
  
• Flitter-Bit
  
• Tamale'
  
• Horseradish
  
• Coco Nutwork
  
• Berry Busy Bug
  
• Philbert Wormly III
  
• Maple Stirrup
  
• The Berry Princess and The Berrykins

Huckleberry Pie is one of Strawberry Shortcake's original friends, who lives, not surprisingly, in a large Huckleberry Pie-shaped cabin, just down the road from Strawberry Shortcake's house. His pet was Pupcake.

The obvious inspiration for his character was Mark Twain's literary creation Huckleberry Finn. Huck bore more than a passing resemblance to the more famous Huck Finn, from his straw hat and overalls to his tendencies towards fishing and general laziness.

Huckleberry Pie was, for the most part, the sole boy character in a female-dominated franchise, a condition that prevailed even into the 2003 reintroduction of the show.

In the 1980s series, Huckleberry Pie was voiced by a female, Julie McWhirter.

The picture on the right is of the First Issue Dolls in 1980 of Huckleberry Pie.

Blueberry Muffin has been Strawberry Shortcake's friend since the very beginning.

In the 1980s, the character was depicted with blue hair in pigtails. Speaking with a Southern drawl, she was also characterized as being more than a little forgetful. Both of these traits were downplayed as the series progressed.

Her pet was was Cheesecake Mouse and she lived in Strawberryland.

The doll at right is part of what is called the 2nd Issue released in 1981 by Kenner.

Berry Bake Shoppe
Snail Cart (with Escargot The Snail)
Carrousel
Berry-Shaped Carry Case
Flitter-Bit the ButterflyGarden House (Gazebo)
Berry Cycle
Big Berry Trolley
Berry Merry Worm (Philbert Wormly III)
Berry Happy Home
Maple Stirrup and the Oatsmobile

Apple Dumplin' was the first of many "baby" characters introduced in the vast world of Strawberry Shortcake.

Smaller and less independent than the older Strawberryland kids, Apple has also proven to be more than capable of taking care of herself when the situation warrants.

Apple's hair is bright orange, and her pet is Tea Time Turtle. Being just a little baby, she doesn't speak as yet, but has surprisingly good penmanship skills.

The picture on the right is of Apple Dumplin in the second issue of dolls in 1981.

Another of Strawberry Shortcake's earliest friends, Raspberry Tart lived up to her name in the 1980s, a tart-tongued individual with a gift for a cutting remark! She was considered really more thoughtless than truly malicious by her friends.

Her pet was Rhubarb Monkey and they also lived in Strawberryland together. They had the Raspberry Soda Shop that was in the shape of a large scoop of ice cream. The Raspberry Soda Shop could be purchased along with the miniature dolls. It included a cart, overhead fan, cash register, raspberry bush, and other small pieces.

The doll on the right is one of the Second Issue dolls released in 1981.

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Strawberry Shortcake Collectibles Copyright April 4, 2009 by BevsPaper (Beverly Owens)