ECP, how are they not Strawberry Shortcake knockoffs? The sweets theme, along with the tall hat, apron, striped socks, curly hair, and even the trademark freckles on the cheeks all smack of Strawberry Shortcake, at least her original incarnation.
I think she's absolutely adorable and I'm hoping she catches on ... I miss the 1980s chubby little kids style that TCFC brought about.
I don't know if you can really say it's a knock-off. It's the same theme, but the theme is popular. L'il Secrets, Cherry Merrgy Muffin, Cupcake Dolls, there's sweet themed barbies, sweet themed starcastles. Sweets are just fun!
They say that this decade has pretty much no new ideas - we're recycling old ones. There'sa craving for nostalgia. So that's why they are making toys that that may seem like others. Also there's the possibility that whoever worked on this didn't base it on Strawberry Shortcake - maybe they always had an idea for a plush muffin doll? Also out at the moment are pet cakes which are puppies in cupcakes.
http://www.thefunky-monkey.com/2011/01/petcakes-2-petcakes-giveaway.htmlThey're also doing blind bag pets -
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12173708 which I think is a pretty cute idea (with the recipe card and cookie cutter) There's also a zip pull
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11892115 - blind bags are selling tool that's making a big comeback.
I can't find a pic of a zipper pull out of pack but mI'm guessing if it is plastic then it probably looks quite similar to a mini lalaloopsy.
It's got nostalgia, it's got blind bags, it's got a tried and tested theme (sweets, yum!), it has minis, it has pets. These are all things that are quite popular at the moment. I think it's more a case of trying to be on trend than making an outright knock-off of Strawberry Shortcake. It 's missing something though - I don't think the rag doll is very appealing but I would probably like the minis (it's small and collectable - it calls to me!)
http://www.plushez.com/happy-nappers-igloo-to-penguin/ - they also do these toys which are similar in concept (the whole transforming thing)