Ugly Dolls

It's not cruel to call them Ugly Dolls (or "UglyDolls"), that's their brand name. And yes, these are in the "so ugly they're absolutely adorable" category... if you don't love them when you look at them, you might find your heart melting when you read each one's individual story.

For example, "Target is often bailing the other UglyDolls out of trouble and getting them into more sophisticated forms of mischief. Target would like to go out into the real world with you to learn about other kinds of cookies. He can hold five."

And if that doesn't work, wait until you hear how they came to be.

Illustrator David Horvath was separated (by geography) from his girlfriend, Sun-Min Kim. She had returned to her native South Korea to be with her family after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The two wrote each other frequently and Horvath would include a sketch of a character called "Wage" -- a demonstration of how hard he was working so that they could be back together some day.

Kim crafted a handmade version of this character and sent it to her beloved. Horvath showed it to someone who had a store, the store owner ordered twenty (Kim went to work making them) and they sold out in a heartbeat.

Is that not the best toy story? But it's not just their origin that makes them adorable -- UglyDolls are quirky individuals in search of a good home. They're about 14" long which makes them perfectly huggable and they are, IMO, the type of doll to become an absolute fave that goes everywhere their "owner" goes.

OX is my personal favorite (that's "Hugs and Kisses", NOT the animal) because "he promises to be your friend if you would lend him a hand, or an ear... or like two dollars." I like the honesty. ;)

Price: (at the time of this review)
$19.99

Resources

• Ugly Dolls at WishingFish