Why I Started Best Dolls for Kids: The Story of Papa Pete and Diversity Dolls

 23 years ago, I stumbled across something that broke my heart—and changed my life.

At the time, families in America were adopting baby girls from China. But when those children came home, many parents discovered a simple but painful problem: it was nearly impossible to find dolls that looked like their daughters. Girls were less wanted than boys in China back then, and here in the U.S., the toy aisles didn’t offer much more hope.

I realized there needed to be a place where people could find these special dolls. And there needed to be a person who cared enough to learn about these dolls, and about the children who needed them.

I decided to be that person.

What began as a small online shop soon grew. I discovered that Black dolls were just as difficult for families to find. Then my wife noticed something else—so many of our customers were buying boy dolls! It turned out little boys wanted dolls too, and parents and grandparents wanted to give them that chance. Within a few years, boy dolls made up nearly a third of our business.

Over time, I realized that even the way dolls were labeled didn’t match the real lives of kids. Manufacturers called their darker-skinned dolls “Hispanic.” But when the 2010 census showed how diverse and multiracial families truly are, I knew we needed a better approach. So we began describing them as Brown, Multicultural, or Biracial dolls—because no child should feel limited by a label. 

Today, Best Dolls for Kids offers even more: Down Syndrome Dolls, Potty Training Dolls, Dollhouse Dolls, and more. Each one is chosen because I believe every child deserves to see themselves in the toys they play with.

And along the way, I also realized something else: grandparents are at the heart of this story. Did you know the average grandparent in the U.S. has six grandchildren? That’s more than most parents have kids!

 Many of them are my customers, and I want them to feel just how special their role is in shaping the lives of the next generation.

That’s why I created Papa Pete. It’s not just a name—it’s my way of saying this store is run by someone who cares. Someone who listens. Someone who believes in dolls that matter.

Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about selling dolls. It’s about helping kids grow up feeling seen, loved, and included.

If you’re a parent, a grandparent, or anyone searching for a doll that truly represents a child in your life—you’ve come to the right place.

Welcome to Best Dolls for Kids. From my family to yours, I’m glad you’re here.

Papa Pete