The first thing I noticed about the Corolle Mon Grand Poupon Louise Doll after getting it out of the package is the intense whiff of the vanilla scent deliberately imparted into the doll. While it’s not my cup of tea, neither my 3-year-old daughter nor my 6-year-old son was bothered by it at all. In fact, they both thought she smelled like cupcakes, and kids love cupcakes. The next thing I noticed about the Corolle Mon Grand Poupon is that it’s a large doll, at about 14 inches long, with a nice weight in the arms. This makes sense, as the French phrase “mon grand poupon” translates to “my big baby.”
Design: Cute and cuddly
The design of this award-winning doll is thoughtful. Her head rotates so kids can tweak her gaze. A bean-bag bottom allows the doll to sit upright so she can converse with a unicorn or Batman in more inventive playroom sessions. Like many higher-end dolls, the Corolle Mon Grand Poupon Louise’s hands are each different. The right hand’s thumb is extended and fits into her mouth. The left hand is open and looks almost ready to grasp a toy or a parent’s nose. Louise comes dressed in a fashionable two-piece ensemble—a gray top with pink polka dots and a high pink collar plus a soft pair of pink pants. She also comes wearing a removable pink headband and pink, bow-topped, plastic slippers. The headband, shoes, and pants are easy to slip on and off, but the top has a pair of hook-and-loop closures and is slightly more difficult to get back on the doll after removal, especially for a child. The skin tone is peachy with a few texture lines on the head to represent hair, but the coloring is the same as the face, hands, and feet. There are different skin and hair color options available on the manufacturer’s site. The baby’s nylon-lashed blue eyes close automatically when she is laid down for a nap. There is an audible “click” when the eyes snap open, which I found disconcerting, but my kids didn’t seem to mind.
Construction: Tough little toy
The France-based company uses a soft-touch vinyl reminiscent of human skin for the head, arms, and legs. The body is stuffed, so it’s nice and cuddly for the kids. And, as we mentioned, the vanilla scent is sure to please the olfactory senses of cupcake fans everywhere. Corolle meets all mandatory safety regulations for the countries in which the dolls are sold—especially American and European rules. As far as durability, Corolle’s construction appears to be quite sturdy. After two weeks of slightly rough and tumble back and forth with two kids, Louise is showing no signs of wear or even any tears.
Entertainment Value: Versatile
Dolls are not the main event in our playroom. Both of my monsters prefer LEGOs, stuffies, and vehicles. But both kids were charmed by Louise. She’s a cute doll, ready for any game they want to throw at her … or just throw her. (Neither of my kids is ready for the responsibility of parenthood quite yet.) To keep the pretending (and the nurturing) going, you can also choose from more than 15 additional clothing and fashion accessories, including strollers and carriers, high chairs and meal sets, and even a doctor kit.
Age Range: 2+
At about 14 inches long, Louise is a substantially sized doll, but she’ll fit perfectly in any toddler’s arms. The manufacturer recommends her for kids 2 years and up, and sure enough, both my kids, ages 3 and 6, dug her.
Ease of Cleaning: Not machine-washable
In the two weeks my kids spent playing with Louise, she didn’t get that dirty. But a spot of chocolate was easily wiped away with a warm, wet cloth. The Corolle Mon Grand Poupon Louise is not machine-washable, which is a drawback, but it would not stop me from purchasing the doll.
Price: A little expensive
At about $70 (and $54 on sale), the Corolle Mon Grand Poupon Louise is on the pricier side. Of course, dolls can run from $10 to $200, but most fall in the $25 to 40 range. So, Louise sits a little north of the mean, but she seems like a quality piece that’s worth a few extra bucks.
Competition: Plenty of others on the market
The options in baby doll land are vast—from Cabbage Patch Kids to Bitty Baby to Melissa and Doug. Among the dolls we tested, Louise was my children’s second choice behind the Adora PlayTime Baby Doll in “Little Prince,” which they thought was cuter. However, it was a close competition; my kids still like Louise, and I think it’s a solid option for any child 2 and up. While my kids are not particularly into dolls, they did like the Corolle Mon Grand Poupon Louise. Meanwhile, I appreciate the sturdy size and weight, which are versatile for children of various ages.
