It's strawberry shaped, of course, which makes it very cute. But you have a lot of room on top and little floor space, so much of the furniture had to sit outside the house. She didn't seem to mind, however. I noticed the box advertised it as strawberry scented, but neither of us could smell anything other than plastic. The latch that closes the house is slightly tricky, and not very secure. The instructions make it clear that you need to hold both handles of the house to help it stay closed and not dump open when carried. I really noticed the difference between that Bandai cheap plastic and Fisher-Price's almost unbreakable plastic. So I warned her to be extra gentle with it and try not to drop it or knock into it. I would not give this to a younger child because you can't play easily with it without fearing of cracking something.

The house comes with a rocking chair, page of stickers, photo frame of the boy (was his name Boysenberry or Huckleberry Pie?), closet (great closet, with mirror, revolving rack, and shelves) and basic few pieces. Add the livingroom furniture pack she already had, and it was enough for good play. The doorbell chime is like a little bicycle bell, which I like because that means it doesn't need batteries.

I can generalize this house with all of Bandai's Strawberry Shortcake toys. It is retailed quite expensive for the quality (cheap plastic make, the dolls are almost bald), and it is not the easiest for a child to use (e.g., the tiny socks the dolls wear, the house latch). (The smell also makes me sick after a while, so my daughter has to put them in a ziplock after use - but that's off topic).

Anyway, this dollhouse is good only for the cuteness factor. I don't think there is much stimulus for imagination, interesting things to manipulate, or any such play value. In fact, my daughter doesn't play pretend with it, she just poses the dolls in it. It's great decoration for her room, but not that great as a playpiece. But she's happy with it because it's just "so cute!" It doesn't get any play now (after a year) but it sits in her room on the shelf and she likes how it looks there.

I just noticed the picture, and want to mention that our house is a bit different. It doesn't come with most of the furniture pictured. It comes rather naked with the rocking chair and closet.

Recommended:
No

Amount Paid (US$): 16 clearance
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 6 to 8 Years