BRAZIL STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DOLLS

This Guide was designed to provide a QUICK reference to assist collectors of the 6" Brazil Strawberry Shortcake dolls.  (For information on the vintage U.S. released Strawberry Shortcake dolls, look here: Strawberry Shortcake Doll Checklist

For more detailed information on the Brazil SSC dolls, there are actually dozens of fan-based websites out there that can help, but this will give you an idea as to which dolls are in the series, their names, and an idea as to what they look like... :D

INTRODUCTION

• The Brazilian SSC dolls were official Strawberry Shortcake dolls licenced by American Greetings, but released in Brazil only.  The dolls were made by the Estrela toy company.  Each doll is stamped American Greetings and Estrela on her back, and there is a little "star" sign that signifies Estrela. 
• The Brazil line continued from 1982 until 1992; As a result, there are 66 different six inch dolls to collect!
• A NOTE ABOUT THE NAMES:  The names in this series don't translate perfectly to English.  A straight-accross translation of Melanciazinha for example, would indicate "little wattermelon," implying cuteness.  But this doesn't sound near as cute as Meanciazinha!  Therefore, I have included the true names of the dolls, and taken some artistic liberty with some of the English translations (translated or invented names- feel free to disregard).

Early Years 1982-1984

• These dolls looked the most like the Kenner dolls, with green striped tights and similarly designed outfits. 

1. Moranguinho* (Strawberry Shortcake) -(there were two different early versions, the 1982 doll looked a lot like the original SSC, the 1983 doll is pictured above and looks more like a party pleaser ssc)
2. Limaozinho (Lemon-lime Soda) Not pictured, but he looks identical to Huck-
3. Laranjinha (Orange Blossom) Not pictured (looks a lot like a white version of Orange Blossom)
4. Uvinha (Grape Juice) see below (looks almost identical to Blueberry Muffin)
5. Cafezinha (Coffee Bean)
6. Pessiguinho (Peach Blossom)
7. Cerejinha (Cherry Blossom)
8. Macazinha (Candied Apple)
9. Uvinha (Grape Jelly Sandwich)
10. Mentazinha (Spearmint Tea)
11. Goiabinha (Guava Nectar)  - not pictured (she has light pink hair like mint, and a cute little hat of shaped felt that looks like a yellow guava- there are two leaves sticking out of it.  She is by far the most difficult to find early series doll.

* Price estimate for loose, good condition doll: $35-$65, $75+ for Guava

1985 Dolls

• Often called "Knot of Ribbon" dolls, there was no official name for this series of dolls other than Moranguinho.
• I can't help but think that the Estrela designers were looking at the Berrykins when producing this line.  These dolls had long hair, a large bow on top, and rainbow tights.  (if your doll has green striped tights, she is wearing the wrong ones) -except the bride doll, who has white tights.

1. Moranguinho (Strawberry Shortcake)
2. Macazinha (Apple Tart)
3. Novinha (Wedding Bouquet)
4. Uvinha (Grape Candy)
5. Bananinha (Banana Twist)
6. Laranjinha (Tangerine Smoothie)
7. Pesseguinho (Peach Cobbler)

Price estimate for loose, good condition doll: $39-$85  (strawberry, bride & orange being the easiest/cheapest, banana & grape being the most expensive)

1986 Dolls - (Novo)

• Often called the "New Wave" series, collectors began calling them this because the boxes all had "Nova" (new) printed at the top! :D

1. Moranguinho (Strawberry Shortcake)
2. Macazinha (Sweet Apple Crisp)
3. Novinha (Wedding Cake Frosting)
4. Cafezinho (Coffee with Cream)
5. Abacazinho (Pineapple Upsidedown Cake)
6. Rosinha (Rose Wine)
7. Violetinha (Violet Crumble)
8. Cocadinha (Coconut Rum)

* Price estimate- $39-$85 (pinapple & SSC being on the cheaper side)

1987 Dolls

• Often called the "Fruits & Flowers" dolls- these dolls were especially cute- and also pretty difficult to find.

1. Moranguinho (Strawberry Shortcake)
2. Melanciazinha (Watermellon Kiss)
3. Cajuzinho (Cashew-nut Cookie)
4. Amorinha (Blackberry-muffin)
5. Margaridinha (Daisy Chain)
6. Amorzinho Perfeito (Hortensia blossom)
7. Noivinha (Rose Bride Bouquet)

* price estimate, $75-$120 (depends on how nice her hair is, how clean and intact her dress is, and Pansey, Daisy, Cashew & Rose Bride being the most expensive)

1988 Dolls- Party Dolls

• Named after Ice Creams and Deserts- an especially delicious series of dolls...
• Although you can't see it in this pic, all of these dolls had tiny white one-strap shoes, very different than the previous SSC shoes. 

1. Moranguinho (Strawberry Shortcake Ball)
2. Sorvetinho de Fraboesa (Raspberry Sorbet)
3. Balinha (Candy Frosting)
4. Quindinzinho (Lemon Meringue)
5. Sorvetinho de Uva (Grape Sorbet)
6. Sorvetinho de Limaozinho (Lime Sorbet)
7. Sorvetinho de Maracuja (Passionfruit Ice Cream)

* $65-$150 (depends on rareness of the doll, market- and whether the doll has her WHITE shoes, and her dress is in good condition)

1989 Dolls- Jellies

• Often called the "Jellow Jelly" series, although this was not their official name.
• These dolls were especially fancy- they came with extra fancy detailed dresses, beautiful hair with a "knot" of different-colored hair tied in, and a colored butterfly clip that a child could wear in her own hair.

1. Gelatina Moranguinho (Strawberry Jello)
2. Novinha (Wedding Cake Filling)
3. Gelatinha Uvinha (Grape Jelly)
4. Gelatina Limaozinho (Lemon Jello Swirl)
5. Gelatina Laranjinha (Orange Marmalade)
6. (Rose bud Jelly)
7. Gelatinha Abacaziazinho (Pineapple Jello)
8. Chocolatinho (Chocolate Cupcake)

* $75-$150 WITHOUT butterfly- $150-$250 with- (price will also depend on which doll, whether she has her entire outfit, extra piece of hair, WHITE shoes, nice hair, -  the most expensive dolls being Chocolate, Rose, Grape & Strawberry)

1991 Trajas Typicas Dolls

• These dolls were called "Trajas Typicas" - translated directly as "typical country," often called "typical clothing" series. 

1. Russia (Russian Vodka)
2. Terra da Moranguinho (Strawberryland Princess)
3. Espanha (Spanish Lace)
4. Brazil (Brazilian Candy)
5. Italia (Itallian Ice)
6. Hollanda (Holland Dream)

* $45-$100  - the price of these varies greatly, and depends also on completeness of outfit, whether she has her white shoes, and how nice her hair is (SSC is the most expensive in this one).

1991 Arco-Iris

• Often called "Rainbow Ribbons" because of their beautiful rainbow bows in their hair- the name of the series is actually "Arco Iris" which just means Rainbow.
• Despite the lack of variety in these dolls (between each other) this series remains one of the most popular and difficult to collect.  They are almost impossible to find with their original ribbons, because a child could wear this bow in her own hair, and they were usually lost.
• One of the more interesting things about these dolls was that they did not wear tights, but came with extremely cute little bloomers :D

1. Moranguinho (Strawberry Rainbow)
2. Peach Rainbow
3. Watermelon Rainbow
4. Orange Rainbow
5. Grape Rainbow
6. Blackberry Rainbow

* These dolls are the most expensive and hard to find dolls in the series. The dolls pictured above do NOT have their original Rainbow ribbons, which are VERY rare (as rare as the Jelly butterflys)- without a "ribbon" or white shoes, you can sometimes get one of these girls for $45-$55-  with her original ribbon and in good condition, she will be over $100, and often into the $250 zone.

Last Series 1992

1. These dolls look a lot like the characters created in the U.S.- the hats for Watermelon & Orange are just like Blueberry Muffin's hat...

1. Moranguinho (Strawberry Shortcake)
2. Laranjinha (Orange Juice-Box)
3. Limaozinho (Lemon Curd)
4. Melancazinha (Watermelon Candy)
5. Cerejinha (Cherry Soda)

* price estimate $55-$100- these dolls are simple and not the cutest in the series, but relatively rare.  I actually love that they have hats just like the original Kenner line...

Blow Kiss Dolls

• Released throughout the series- the Blow Kiss Babies are ultra cute- and extremely detailed.  They are also very expensive, and the price of one of these cuties is $150-$250 depending on the doll and her completeness, yes, even for a fairly well-played with doll.
• Each baby had a very detailed little outfit, and either little rainbow or striped green and white socks, which are usually missing.  The also each had a little gold "estrela" necklace.

1984 First Series (not pictured):  included

1. Moranguinho (Strawberry blow kiss- outfit almost identical to U.S. doll, but made from cotton.
2. Uvinha (Blueberry muffin blow kiss) -blue pigtails, blue one-piece jumper with blue checked trim and booties.
3. Cerejinha (Cherry Blossom Kiss) -light pink short curly hair, light pink jumper, pink striped trim & booties)  

Second Series (1985)  (pictured in top row above)

1. Moranguinho (Strawberry Blow Kiss)
2. Bananinha (Banana Twirl Blow Kiss)
3. Macazinha (Apple Blow Kiss)

Third Series (1986)  (second row above)

1. Moranguinho (Strawberry)
2. Uvinha (Grape)
3. Cerejinha (Cherry kiss)

Berry Babies 

• there were a LOT of berry babies released- they looked exactly the same as the U.S. Berry Babies, but there were far more of them! 

• Not pictured (due to the limitation to 10 images)

TIPS FOR BEGINNING COLLECTORS:

1. RESEARCH YOUR SELLER!  You'll notice that a LOT more Brazil gals are now available on ebay-  but please do your homework on your seller before bidding, and make sure your seller has a good reputation.  Also, keep in mind the cost of shipping from Brazil is pretty steep ($16-$20 range).
2. LOOK VERY CAREFULLY AT THE PICTURE  The Brazil dolls grew up in a pretty warm moist environment, so look very very carefully at the pictures, as VDS (tiny black and/or brown dots, like freckles, that will grow and cause vinyl breakdown of the doll- can NOT be cleaned off, although there are products that can slow or kill the vds - very expensive products) Also, mold and mildew can be in the dolls clothing, and cause permanent staining. It is sometimes VERY difficult to see mold spots or VDS on a tiny or poorly photographed doll, also, some sellers just say she is "dirty." But VDS is NOT dirt, and it is NOT removable.  Also, a MIB or NRFB doll does not necessarily mean that the doll is free of mold or spotting... and while it is possible to clean some of this off, it is very very difficult, and often doesn't work.
3. PRICE GUIDE The price estimates I gave are for LOOSE dolls, complete and in good condition, but not MIB or even necessarily minty.  The prices are for your general doll that appears on ebay, in good condition with all of her outfit including her shoes.  She might be a little grubby, or her felt hat might be a bit faded, but hopefully she has no holes or vds.   This is because a particularly crispy minty doll is VERY hard to find in this collection! MOST of the dolls from Brazil have lived in hot/damp places, and their clothing is mostly 100% cotton, which is not the hardiest of fabrics.  Look closely at bodices, as they are almost all made from a velvet/velour fabric, which is often worn thin. (again, this is very common)

PLEASE feel free to send me a message if you have something you have to add!