The Doll With a Story to![]()
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If you've ever walked into a Target with a child who loves dolls, chances are you've spotted them — rows of bright boxes, beautiful 18-inch dolls inside, and prices that don't make grandparents flinch. These are Our Generation dolls, and they've quietly become one of the most loved doll lines in Australia.
Made by a Canadian family company called Battat, Our Generation has done something remarkable: brought truly high-quality 18-inch dolls within reach of every family. Here's the story of how a small Montreal toy company built one of the most popular doll brands in the world.
Battat — A Family Toy Company Since the 1800s
The Battat family has been making toys since the 1800s. The company we know today, Maison Joseph Battat Ltd., is still family-owned and based in Montreal, Canada. Over the decades they've built a reputation for thoughtful, well-made toys: B. Toys (the colourful baby toys you've probably seen), Bristle Blocks, Lori Dolls, Li'l Woodzeez and more.
But it's their 18-inch doll line that has truly taken off worldwide.
From Collectors Lane Kids to Our Generation
The story starts in 1998, when Battat released a small collection of 18-inch dolls called Collectors Lane Kids. There were five friends — Elizabeth, Vanessa, Sheri, Rachel — and most charmingly of all, a boy doll named Jack. (Yes, Battat was making boy 18-inch dolls back in 1998, long before most other brands caught on!)
The dolls did well, more characters were added, and by the early 2000s the line had been renamed Our Generation. The mission was simple: make beautifully crafted 18-inch dolls that every child could own, not just children whose parents could stretch to a $200+ doll. Our Generation dolls today still cost around a third of the price of an American Girl doll.
Today, Our Generation is sold in over 70 countries and has become Battat's flagship doll line.
What Makes Our Generation Dolls Special?
1. They're affordable
This is the headline. A new Our Generation doll typically costs $30–50 in Australia, while a standard American Girl is $200+. For a child's first 18-inch doll — or for siblings who each want one — that price difference matters.
2. The quality is genuinely impressive
Doll reviewers (especially picky ones who collect higher-end brands) consistently note that Our Generation dolls punch above their price point. The eyes are bright with realistic eyelashes, the face paint is beautifully detailed, and the bodies are durable. Battat actually claims fewer body defects than some pricier competitors.
3. Each doll has a personality and a story
Like American Girl, every Our Generation doll comes with her own little book and her own backstory. Every doll book carries empowering messages like "I'm proud of who I am!" and "You can do more than you think!"
4. The accessories are next-level
This is where Our Generation really shines. The brand has built a huge world of accessories — kitchens, salons, bunk beds, scooters, ice cream trucks, a horse stable, a vet clinic, even a wheelchair set. The Sweet Stop Ice Cream Truck is one of the most iconic doll accessories of the last 20 years.
5. Eco-conscious packaging
Battat uses recycled and recyclable materials in its packaging and avoids harmful chemicals (no BPA, no phthalates, no lead). They also have a long-running charity programme called Share Your Story that highlights real-life acts of kindness from kids on the packaging.
6. Boys are welcome too
Our Generation makes boy dolls — something many other 18-inch brands have never quite committed to. From the original Jack in 1998 to today's range, boy characters are part of the family.
The Different Types of Our Generation Dolls
Battat has cleverly broken the line into several types so kids and parents can pick what suits:
- Regular Dolls — the standard 18-inch doll, the largest part of the range with over 50 characters.
- Deluxe Dolls — come with extra outfits and accessories.
- Hairgrow Dolls — clever dolls with hair that can be lengthened or retracted by turning a knob.
- Retro Dolls — characters with a vintage-inspired look (think Joy and Rose).
- Posable Dolls — dolls with extra joints for action poses.
- Mini OG dolls — 6.5-inch versions of some of the popular characters.
Some of the Most Loved Our Generation Characters
With more than 50 dolls in the range, here are a few of the most popular names you might come across:
- Sia & Sabina — twin sisters, one a budding scientist, the other an artist.
- Arlee — bright copper-red hair, a vet-helper at heart.
- Kendra, Layla, Parker, Shannon, Ginger, Joy, Rose — all long-time favourites.
- Lori dolls — Battat's smaller (6-inch) line, sister-brand to Our Generation.
Battat is constantly refreshing the line, so new dolls join all the time.
Will Your Our Generation Doll Fit Our Clothes?
Yes — beautifully. Our Generation dolls are 18 inches (46 cm) tall, exactly the same as American Girl, Australian Girl (close enough for most outfits), and Journey Girls. That means almost all our 18-inch doll clothing will fit.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- Our Generation dolls are slightly slimmer than American Girl, so American Girl clothes can be a little loose on them — but ours are designed to suit a range of 18-inch dolls.
- Our Generation feet are slightly narrower than American Girl, so very tight shoes might be snug. Most of our doll shoes work fine.
To be sure of the right fit:
- Pop over to our Doll Sizing Guide.
- Or use the How to Measure Your Doll page if you're not sure.
The Doll That Said "Every Kid Deserves One"
What makes Our Generation special isn't just the quality, the price or the wonderful accessories. It's the philosophy behind them. As Battat put it themselves: "It's about quality dolls at prices aimed to not exclude anyone."
If your Our Generation girl needs a fresh outfit, browse our doll clothing range — proudly Aussie, beautifully made, with free shipping over $80.
Note: Rosie's Dolls Clothes is not affiliated with Maison Joseph Battat Ltd. or Our Generation. All references to Our Generation dolls are for sizing and information purposes only.
