"The Play Along Club"dolls began 5 years ago as "Friendz n’ Family". The year was 2002. The year before had been a sad one, made all the worse by 9-11. Furthermore, I felt like a dinosaur in a Toy Industry that had gone electronic. It seemed like every toy produced either had a computer chip in it, or a "chip on its shoulder". Talking teething rings and teenage tarts were not my cup of tea. I contemplated retirement, but decided to first attempt one final project. After a lifetime of trying to please everybody, this one would be just for me, an uncompromising attempt to simply make the best doll that I could. The result was Friendz n’ Family."~ Mel Birnkrant
The Video for "Acorn Family", which began as "Friendz n' Family" and in the end became "The Play Along Club"
