Following the launch of Barbie with a hijab, the doll inspired by Olympic athlete Ibtihaj Muhammad - the first American to win a medal wearing the hijab – the Irish Independent praises those toy companies, like Lottie Dolls, for moving towards a more diverse and inclusive childhood.

“Meanwhile, the Irish toy manufacturer, Arklu, has just launched the world’s first doll with a cochlear implant as part of its range of Lottie Dolls. Arklu’s Finn and Lottie dolls are ethnically diverse, designed according to the dimensions of actual children, and eschew accessories such as nappy bags and rainbow wands for fossil hunting sets. Importantly, the Mia doll has an identity beyond her disability – she is a wildlife photographer who comes with wellies and a camera, and just happens to have a cochlear implant.”

***World’s First Doll with a Cochlear Implant Released!***https://t.co/BXcSKoDb2g @toylikeme #toylikeme pic.twitter.com/cqgqSOFGAi

— Lottie (@Lottie_dolls) September 28, 2017

“The Lottie Mia doll is one of only a tiny handful designed to be relatable to the world’s 150 million disabled children. Many of the others …are so pointedly earnest that it’s hard to imagine any child voluntarily playing with them.”

“Though the children’s toy market seems stubbornly resistant to the pressures of a more diverse world, every year brings a handful of toys offering a less restrictive view of children’s abilities and interests.”

Thank you Jennifer O’Connell (16^th November 2017) for including Wildlife Photographer Mia and Lottie Dolls as a toy company embracing diversity. You can read the article in full, here.

About Lottie

www.lottie.com // @lottie_dolls

Lottie Dolls start at RRP: €19.95 // £18.99 // $19.95

Lottie dolls, an Irish doll company who believe that childhood should be an inclusive place where every child belongs regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability and aim to reflect that in their collection. Developed alongside academics in child development, unlike other dolls, Lottie Finn and Friends are based on nine-year-old children, the dolls are therefore relatable to all the elements of childhood – Lottie’s motto is Be Bold, Be Brave, Be You!

Six of the Lottie products to date have been inspired by ideas from real children from around the world. When launching Lottie, the vision was to create a range of dolls that would empower children to be themselves, to be imaginative and adventurous and - most of all – to have fun!

Lottie Dolls are now on sale in over 30 countries and here, on www.lottie.com