Strawberry Shortcake is a fictional character originally used in greeting cards created by American Greetings in the late 1970s. She was later expanded into a franchise of dolls, TV specials, movies, and other products. Here is a comprehensive overview of the Strawberry Shortcake American Greetings franchise.
Origins
The Strawberry Shortcake character was created in 1977 by Muriel Fahrion, an illustrator at American Greetings. She was initially depicted as a young girl with pink hair, a large straw hat, and wearing a pink dress. The early greeting cards established her character as a sweet, friendly, and curious little girl who loved the scent of strawberries.
The first Strawberry Shortcake doll was released by toy company Kenner in 1979. This doll had yarn hair and a soft fabric body. Strawberry Shortcake soon became immensely popular and Kenner produced multiple versions of the doll with slight variations.
1980s Success
In the early 1980s, Strawberry Shortcake exploded in popularity. This was known as the “big wave” era of the franchise. American Greetings produced hundreds of different Strawberry Shortcake cards during this time. The cards told short stories and established a world of characters around Strawberry Shortcake such as her friends Orange Blossom and Lemon Meringue, and her cat Custard.
The Kenner toy line also introduced several friends for Strawberry Shortcake including Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Tart, and more. Each character was paired with their own fruit-themed pet. A television special called Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City came out in 1981 and drew massive ratings. More TV specials, merchandise, and movies followed in the 1980s as the franchise grew.
Key Developments
- 1979 – First Strawberry Shortcake doll released by Kenner
- 1980 – First wave of Strawberry Shortcake cards released by American Greetings
- 1981 – Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City TV special airs
- 1983 – First Strawberry Shortcake feature film released
- 1985 – Strawberry Shortcake dolls redesigned and released by LJN
Changes in the 1990s
By the 1990s, the popularity of Strawberry Shortcake began to decline. In 1991, American Greetings revamped the character with a new look and backstory. Strawberry Shortcake now had shorter hair and modest clothes, in contrast to the previous doll’s elaborate hair and dress.
The new Strawberry Shortcake toy line struggled commercially and went through several redesigns over the next decade. A new TV series, Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Bitty Adventures, ran from 2003-2008 but failed to regain the brand’s former glory.
Key Developments
- 1991 – Strawberry Shortcake redesign released by American Greetings
- 1997 – Rights to the franchise acquired by Cookie Jar Entertainment
- 1998 – Strawberry Shortcake dolls redesigned and released by Playmates Toys
- 2003 – Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Bitty Adventures TV series premieres
Modern Revival
In 2009, American Greetings relaunched Strawberry Shortcake again, now produced by toy company Hasbro. The character was redesigned to appear more similar to her original 1980s incarnation with long, flowing hair and bright colors.
A new CGI animated TV series called Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Bitty Adventures premiered on The Hub cable channel. Several direct-to-DVD films and video games were also released. While not reaching the massive heights of popularity as in the 80s, the 2000s revival did help reintroduce Strawberry Shortcake to a new generation.
Key Developments
- 2009 – Strawberry Shortcake franchise revived and relaunched by American Greetings and Hasbro
- 2010 – Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Bitty Adventures CGI series premieres
- 2015 – Franchise rights returned to American Greetings
- 2018 – 40th anniversary of Strawberry Shortcake
Characters
Here are some of the main characters in the Strawberry Shortcake universe:
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Strawberry Shortcake | The main protagonist with pink hair and a strawberry theme |
| Orange Blossom | Strawberry’s friend who smells like oranges |
| Blueberry Muffin | A bookworm who loves blueberries |
| Raspberry Tart | A fashionable girl with a raspberry theme |
| Lemon Meringue | A talented dancer and singer who loves lemons |
Impact
Though not as prominent as in the 1980s, Strawberry Shortcake remains an iconic character in children’s culture. Reasons for its cultural impact include:
- Bright, cute, appealing character design
- Worldbuilding with the “berry” friends and pets
- Nostalgia factor for generations who grew up with Strawberry Shortcake
- Successful transition from greeting cards to multimedia franchise
The fragrances, colors, and slice-of-life themes made Strawberry Shortcake part of the fabric of many children’s childhoods. The characters modeled friendship, imagination, and exploration. While the franchise has gone through ups and downs, Strawberry Shortcake herself remains one of the most recognizable characters created by American Greetings.
Conclusion
For over 40 years, Strawberry Shortcake has delighted children and evoked nostalgia in adults who grew up with the cheerful character. Originally starting as a greeting card illustration, she spawned a wildly successful franchise of toys, TV shows, movies, and other merchandise, especially during the 1980s.
Though the character went through some declines in popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, recent revivals have helped reinvigorate Strawberry Shortcake for a new audience. With her bright clothing, fresh fruit scents, and love for her berryland friends, Strawberry Shortcake continues to encapsulate childhood wonder and imagination.