I'd like to preface this review by saying that I do understand the 'anti-Barbie' sentiments expressed by some mothers who feel that the dolls serve to only objectify the female body and to cause little girls to have unreasonable physical expectations of their own bodies ... however ....

This doll ROCKS!!!!!! I don't count on a toy to instill values or self image in my daughter ... she values both beauty and intelligence ... athleticism and grace ... logic and fantasy ... she enjoys her Barbies (and Teresas, and Kellys and Kiras and Midges, etc.) as play things ... and if she's learning anything from them perhaps it's a sense of independent style ... a bit of hand eye coordination ... the ability to dream of going from doctor to ballet dancer to rocker to veterinarian to race car driver to princess ... all in one afternoon. *lol*

About this version in particular ...

The shocking pink hair and garrish clothing may elicit a bit of a "Hmph" and a crinkled nose from grandma ... but my daughter and I love her! The clothes are definitely 'rock star' styled - shiny silver capri pants, a REVERSIBLE halter for two different looks (sparklies on one side, bright zig-zag stripes on the other), a periwinkle blue fuzzy faux fur shrug that can be worn with or without the separate 'sleeves' for two different looks (and my daughter quickly tried the sleeves as 'leg warmers' for yet another look) ... and the best part of all ... the hair changes color!!!!!!!!! Even better (for mom) ... No messy paints or dyes, not even hot or cold water!!!! Just twist the top of the head and voila! Instantly change Teresa from her 'everyday' brunette look, to a flashy flirty hot pink!!!! TOO COOL!

Jam 'n Glam Teresa Doll includes a cool rock star headset, and three clip-on hair extensions that can be added to Teresa for an even funkier look ...or any other Barbie to turn her into part of Teresa's Jam 'n Glam band ... or can be worn by the little girl playing with Teresa as a fun dress up fashion accessory. Other accessories include sunglasses, two mini (pretend) CDs, and a rock star mini poster. Jam 'n Glam Teresa Doll has a twisty Ever-Flex waist which means her abdomen is a soft flexible 'squishy' rubbery-plastic material that can be bent and twisted in all directions ... allowing for the ultimate in hot stage performance dance moves.

Skye has pretty much every Barbie that comes along ... she plays with one then the other ... 5 at a time, a couple at a time, etc. I can't say that Jam 'n Glam Teresa in particular is going to keep your child entertained for hours on end ... but it is definitely *AS* long-lasting as any other, and perhaps a bit more so because of the fun of changing the hair and transforming her from 'day' to 'night' looks.

One caution ... when unpacking the doll, notice HOW the clothing is put on her BEFORE your daughter undresses her ... as almost all girls seem to do immediately upon receiving a new Barbie! The reason I mention this is that it took me FOREVER to figure out how to put the 'shrug' back on as a jacket. It has a clear plastic band' that holds the ends together with a bit of room in between ... in order for this look to work, you have to sort of tuck the band in BEHIND the doll so that the furry part is over the shoulders and wrapping around the arms. I didn't realize this at first and my daughter kept saying the jacket wasn't on right and we couldn't figure out how to make it look right till I finally dug the box out of the garbage. It's confusing, I know, but if you notice how it looks in the photo, and if you look at the doll in the box then you'll understand.

The only other possible negative that I can think of is that like all Barbie type dolls, Jam 'n Glam Teresa's hair can only hold up to so much brushing and styling and twisting before it begins to tangle and look a bit of a mess.

All in all ... if you like Barbie (and her friends) you are probably going to like this doll. If you don't like Barbie to start with, then you aren't. There may be some fans of the more traditional Barbie images who don't enjoy the Jam N Glam rocker personification ... but to me this is a matter of personal taste and not a defect or shortcoming of the toy. To each her own.

If you like Barbie ... if you've ever dreamed of being in a rock band ... or dying your hair an unbelievable shade of hot pink ... then Jam N Glam Barbie and Teresa are definitely worth checking out!

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 15
Type of Toy: Action Figure
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years