Gabby and her purr-fect pals are opening the tiny dollhouse doors to new guests! On Sept. 14, viewers visited Netflix to watch the new season of Gabby’s Dollhouse, where they met several new friends! Season 14 of the hybrid animated and live-action show introduced kids to Doozie, Gabby’s little sister, and her dog, Puggie Paws — and The Toy Insider got a behind-the-scenes look!
We put on our magical cat ears, gave a little pinch, and spoke with Celestina Harris (Doozie) and Laila Lockhart Kraner (Gabby) about the worldbuilding within the first four episodes of Season 14, the new sibling dynamic, what it’s like to have dogs in the dollhouse, the cat-tastic collection of Gabby’s Dollhouse toys, and more.
Season 14 is now streaming! What are you excited for families to see in the new episodes?
We’re going to have so many crafts and be so creative. I think this season is really about the growth mindset, especially as Doozie is coming into the dollhouse. Gabby teaches Doozie a bunch of new things about staying positive and pursuing [happiness] even though things might go wrong.
What can you tell us about the new sibling dynamic, and what was it like portraying that in the recording studio?
It was really different because I actually got someone to act off of and play off of, which was really fun. And I think the dynamic is kind of similar to Gabby and the Gabby cats in the way that I think Gabby wants to take care of Doozie, but it is very different because I feel like Doozie so energetic, like [Celestina] was saying … I feel like it’s a very accurate big sister, little sister representation. And it was really fun for me personally because in my real life, I’m the little sister and I never get to be the big one. So I thought it was fun getting to play the big sister in this role, especially with Celestina. We had a lot of fun.
Do you think this will help viewers learn how to interact with their siblings?
I think it really, especially seeing Gabby and Doozie on the screen, I think that’ll really show them like, ‘Oh, this is actually my built-in best friend. I don’t need to argue with them. I don’t need to be jealous. We could connect and actually have some fun together.’
Why is it important for Gabby’s Dollhouse to show this union with the cats and the dogs?
I think it’s important because everyone’s different, everyone likes different things, everyone has a different point of view. And seeing that the dogs are coming into the dollhouse and that the kitties are just a little bit ‘eh’ about it, I think it’s great to show how they can connect because there are different people and you can’t discriminate against others. And I think that’s a really important lesson to teach kids.
What elements of these two characters make them such great role models for kids?
For Gabby, it’s just her endless positivity. She’s always the one who has some kind of solution, or if she doesn’t have a solution. She’s always saying, ‘We haven’t figured it out yet.’ And I feel like that is something so important for kids to hear at a young age because it is really hard when things go wrong, and you make mistakes, it’s upsetting. So I think it’s really great how Gabby is always that ever-positive light in the dollhouse. It’s like, ‘You know what? We’re going to figure this out together.’
Are there any toys you love or hope to see in the future?
The first thing that came to my mind was there’s this Gabby Mermaid toy, and it has colorful hair and mermaid tail. And I just think it’s so cool that it’s like I’m a mermaid now … And the LEGO sets too. I grew up playing [with[ LEGO [bricks], so getting to see any sort of Gabby’s Dollhouse scene in a LEGO [set is really cool.
If your toy box already hosts Kraner’s favorite toy, Spin Master‘s Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, Sing & Shine Mermaid Gabby Doll, don’t worry. Spin Master has an entire collection of Gabby’s Dollhouse toys — and two new products just came out!
Kids can count down to Christmas with Gabby’s Dollhouse Fairylandia Advent Calendar. Designed for kids ages 3 and up, this Advent calendar features 24 tiny doors for fans to open throughout the season. Each door houses one of seven 1.5-inch Gabby’s Dollhouse figures, one of nine accessories, one sticker sheet, or one of seven interchangeable bases for a total of 24 mini magical gifts. The packaging also transforms into a snow- and candy cane-covered play space and features panels with pop-up elements.
The calendar is not currently available, but it’s likely to hit shelves soon. In the meantime, families can grab Spin Master‘s Gabby’s Dollhouse Fairylandia Flutter Magic Fairy Playset from Walmart, Target, and Amazon. The 17-piece set includes a fairy treehouse, a 3-inch Gabby figure, seven furniture pieces and accessories, one surprise box, eight fabric fairies, one sticker sheet, and one activity sheet.
The set features several interactive elements that help kids strengthen their fine motor skills and create immersive scenarios with the included figures. Preschoolers can press the hot pink button to watch the fairies fly around the tree, lift the flower to release the fairies, and tilt the diddlybopper to help them return to the playset.
Kids can combine this playset with the Kitty Fairy’s Flutter-riffic Playset, as well as other furniture packages and portal rooms, to create an expansive, kitty-filled world without screens.
The sparkly, friendship-focused franchise is continuing to grow. Gabby’s adventures continue through Republic Records’ EP titled Pawty Time. Available on most music streaming sites, including Spotify and Apple Music, the EP features two new voices: Gabby’s little sister, Doozie, and her puppy, Puggie. Families can dance and sing to songs that celebrate friendship, sibling bonds, and more. Kids can listen to “Meow-Meow Bow-Wow Family,” “Doggy Dogs,” “Happy Birthday DJ,” and more.
If your little one prefers dogs over cats, they’ll love Doozie’s Doghouse, a new series that focuses on the youngest family member and her pack of pups. The series will debut on Netflix Nov. 9, with seven 22-minute episodes for families to enjoy.
To learn more about Gabby’s Dollhouse, or to find your little fan’s next favorite toy, visit gabbysdollhouse.com.
