An Open Letter
Dear Entertainment Moguls in Charge of Bringing Strawberry Shortcake to Life on DVD:
My daughter is four years old. She is a Strawberry Shortcake fan. Actually fan would be an understatement. Fanatic is probably the more appropriate term.
She enjoys the movies and the dolls, the books and the backpack. She actually thinks that Strawberry’s hair smells good, so you know she is a true follower.
As a former follower of Strawberry back in the day, I do understand the pull of the cute little red head. She’s sweet, she’s cute, her friends all have cool names and she has a killer theme song.
Straw-ba-ba-ba-ba-berry ShortCAKE!
What I am not understanding is why you felt the need to muck up this innocent little cartoon with real life. Strawberry Shortcake is a fantasy. She lives in a fantasy world. Her friends are make believe.
Imagine my surprise, when my little 4 year old came to me concerned for Strawberry’s friend, Caramel Corn, who is going to lose her farm. Because she can’t afford to keep it. Because someone is stealing her chickens and cows, thereby lessening her milk and egg production, causing revenue to go down and putting the farm in jeopardy.
And yes I am speaking of a doll. In a movie. Who, even though she is named after a snack, clearly has real life problems going on.
After watching this particular episode 184 times, apparently the message hit home that poor Caramel Corn stood to lose it all, causing great amounts of distress to my child, who was genuinely worried that CC would be out on the street.
So, Entertainment Moguls in Charge of All Things Strawberry Shortcake related, I am writing to ask you this…could we leave the fairy in the fairytale? The fantasy in the fantasy-world? And perhaps could Strawberry Shortcake, Caramel Corn, Plum Puddin’ and the gang have problems a little bit more age appropriate for their viewing audience?
Because I turn on your DVD’s when I need a few minutes of peace and quite, a babysitter if you will. I do not turn on your DVD’s to upset my child because she thinks Caramel Corn is about to lose the farm and be homeless.
And yes, I know that at the end, the whole problem gets wrapped up nice and pretty in a little package and the problem is solved. But real life doesn’t work that way.
And I prefer that my four year old believes in fairytales, fantasies and general happiness in Strawberry Shortcake world for as long as possible.
Or at least until she starts watching Hannah Montana, where they have real problems.
Thank You,
A Strawberry Fan from way back raising a Strawberry Fan of today.
Posted: May 28th, 2008 under Embarrassing Myself with my Ramblings.
Comments: 18
Comments
Comment from Nicole@OnTheRun
Time: May 28, 2008, 6:04 am
I will definitely have that theme song in my head the rest of today. Thanks;)
I am personally traumatized by the episode where Lemon Merenguie’s house floods and they are all crying the whole time while they clean it out. Seriously.
(Perhaps my own house has flooded enough times to make the pain a little too real.)
(Which is why I agree with your point.)
Comment from Rebecca
Time: May 28, 2008, 6:21 am
Darned real life. 
Comment from Jen on the Edge
Time: May 28, 2008, 7:16 am
What were those media moguls thinking? That’s just ridiculous.
Just think, once you get through the Strawberry Shortcake phase, you still have the Disney Princesses to survive. Luckily, they never face any real-life issues.
Comment from Queen B
Time: May 28, 2008, 7:38 am
Really? CC stands to lose the farm? Who needs primetime tv when you’ve got that?
Comment from chrissy
Time: May 28, 2008, 7:52 am
does that episode have the smart-aleck cat? We have the Christmas one, and I can’t stand his attitude. Also in the Christmas one, Strawberry Shortcake sings a solo and she REALLY shouldn’t have. Really.
Comment from Ashlee
Time: May 28, 2008, 8:19 am
Thanks….now I’m singing the theme song in my head. Sigh. My daughter loves her DVD too…though she’s not a fanatic. Thankfully. :0)
Comment from Lisa
Time: May 28, 2008, 8:59 am
You know, Lisa..
I was painting in the back bedroom at the beach, my girl, Strawberry-aholic, also just got this from blockbuster..We put it in and I started to work..ALL OF A SUDDEN..the shocking news..I was up on the ladder and was following the story intently- even tho I couldnt see the beautiful and darling strawberry, the trials and tribulations started to pull me in. Will she loose it, wont she?
I feel the same way, real life sneaks up. WTF?? Anyway,Im so glad CC didnt loose the farm. Whew..
good open letter, take 90..
Lisa
coastal nest
Comment from sheila
Time: May 28, 2008, 11:15 am
thanks for writing that open letter and for speaking up and standing up for all of us. We can always count on you to be our voice!!
Comment from ValleyGirl
Time: May 28, 2008, 12:30 pm
I miss the whimsy of kids shows that weren’t 30-minute commercials and didn’t deal with real-life situations. At least not realistic ones. There really is no innocence anymore.
Comment from New Diva on the Blog
Time: May 28, 2008, 12:33 pm
Amen sister! Let them be kids for five seconds for goodness sake!
Comment from Kelly @ Love Well
Time: May 28, 2008, 12:47 pm
My kids are unaware that TV exists outside of Noggin, PBS Kids and our extensive collection of DVDs — which means their scariest villain to date is the silly witch on “Dora and the Fairytale Rescue.” And I’m going to keep it that way for as long as I can.
Comment from Becky
Time: May 28, 2008, 1:15 pm
I miss cartoons like Strawberry Shortcake. I loved that when I was a kid. Had the whole bedroom set if I remember correctly. Loved the sheets and couldn’t understand why they didn’t smell like her too.
Comment from Robyn
Time: May 28, 2008, 1:53 pm
Hilaaaaarious. My girls aren’t Strawberry Shortcake fans, but I sure would be if they saw it. Mine have asked me why Swiper’s mom doesn’t spank him for swiping Dora’s stuff, though. They knew that if he would get spanked, he’d probably quit swiping people’s stuff! They know all about learning lessons the 1st time!!! Funny kids.
Comment from Blazing Goddess
Time: May 28, 2008, 2:50 pm
Yeah, that’s pretty much why I don’t let my kids watch Saturday morning fare (we only have rabbit ears anyway). When Penny Proud was worried that her Dad was cheating on her Mom, I pretty much threw in the towel.
Comment from Wendi
Time: May 28, 2008, 6:47 pm
You. are. hilarious!
Great letter.
Comment from the roost
Time: May 28, 2008, 8:16 pm
Well said my dear!!! My 3 girls grew up on Strawberry Shortcake. You are so right!
Comment from Drama Mama
Time: May 28, 2008, 9:48 pm
No kidding- My 5 year old princess has discovered Hannah Montana and it is makin me CRAZY! Enjoy your S Shortcake days- they are numbered Sista! Just a matter of time till Hannah makes her appearance at your house too!
Comment from Carolyn
Time: June 1, 2008, 11:35 am
Oh, I so agree with this post! I hope you really write the people who made this video.
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