3-11-19 wi doll maker aims to fill diversity gap in retail

NEW BERLIN, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin woman has been making custom dolls to celebrate the diversity of children who aren’t well-represented in toy stores.  Amy Jandrisevits, a former pediatric oncology social worker, started her business, A Doll Like Me, four years ago after she was contacted by an acquaintance whose daughter had her leg amputated. The New Berlin mother was asked if she could make a doll that matched the girl’s appearance.   Following the project, the demand for Jandrisevits’ custom dolls immediately skyrocketed. She had 200 doll orders within two months of operating.  Jandrisevits said children of color or children with disabilities almost never see representations of themselves on a toy store shelf. She said it’s important for children to have something to relate to because they often internalize the standard of what they think they should look like.  The custom dolls have helped spark conversations about the diversity of children represented on TV, in movies and on store shelves, Jandrisevits said.