According to an article in The New York Times, children's publisher Scholastic Inc. has decided to stop offering chapter books and spinoff products based on the "Bratz" product line at its popular elementary-school book fairs. The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, an advocacy group based in Boston, said that Scholastic’s move is the result of their 18-month-long fight to remove titles like “Lil’ Bratz: Catwalk Cuties” from the book club fliers that go home with students and are distributed at book fairs.

I try not to get too worked up over kids' toys, but those Bratz dolls are pretty crazy:

I'm totally confused by the combination of that outfit, the mouse, and the USB key necklace. Is that the doll's Internet-surfing outfit? Is it indicative of what girls are *supposed* to be wearing while they work on the computer? Because if so, I am seriously under-dressed.

Labels: Scholastic, schools, toys