General Doll Information
Some general information you may find interesting:
1979 First Issue Dolls
These dolls had flat hands (except for Pieman) and did not have pets (except for Pieman and Apple Dumpling). The first issue dolls were: Strawberry Shortcake / Blueberry Muffin / Apple Dumpling / Huckleberry Pie / Purple Pieman.
1980 First Issue Dolls (curved hands, no pets)
New dolls added were: Orange Blossom / Lemon Meringue / Raspberry Tart / Apricot
NB: Tea Time Turtle and Berry Bird are the only Strawberry Shortcake pets that were made out of hard plastic - all other pets were made out of soft plastic. In the next generation of dolls, Tea Time Turtle was made out of soft plastic (and in a different position), but Berry Bird continued to be made out of hard plastic.
1981 Second Issue Dolls
All existing dolls now had pets and new dolls added were: Lime Chiffon / Cherry Cuddler / Butter Cookie / Angel Cake / Sour Grapes
1983 Second Issue Dolls
New dolls added from the 'International Doll Series' - Cafe Ole (from Mexicoco) / Mint Tulip (from Hollandaise) / Almond Tea (from China Cup) / Crepe Suzette (from Paris) / Lem 'n Ada (twins from Piccadilly Square)
1984 Party Pleaser Dolls
These 10 dolls were dressed in Party Outfits and their pets had Party Hats and carried gifts. Two new dolls added were: Peach Blush (from Georgia) and Plum Pudding. The Party Pleaser dolls were: Strawberry Shortcake / Orange Blossom / Apple Dumpling / Cherry Cuddler / Angel Cake / Almond Tea / Mint Tulip / Cafe Ole / Peach Blush / Plum Pudding
NB: Peach Blush and Plum Pudding are very sought after by serious collectors and Plum Pudding is considered the more valuable of the two.
1984 Sweet Sleeper Dolls
These 5 dolls were dressed in Sleepwear and came with a Sleepy pet and Sleeping bag. Only Orange Blossom had footwear. Dolls in the Sweet Sleeper range were: Strawberry Shortcake / Orange Blossom / Blueberry Muffin / Lemon Meringue / Raspberry Tart
1985 Berrykin Dolls
These dolls had long hair and were dressed in Fancy Party Outfits with different tights. They didn't have pets but had a little critter called a Berrykin which carried a perfume pouch. Dolls in this range were: Strawberry Shortcake / Orange Blossom / Mint Tulip / Peach Blush / Plum Pudding / Banana Twirl (new doll added to range).
NB: All of these dolls are highly sought after, especially Banana Twirl who is considered the rarest Strawberry Shortcake doll of them all!