Tiana, the black heroine of "The Princess and the Frog" is "a very big deal," says one film expert.  "If this figure takes off, you're looking at 30 or 40 years of repetition and resonance," says Tricia Rose, a Brown University professor who teaches both popular culture and African American studies, citing the enduring popularity of Disney princesses at the company's theme parks, on Web sites and in videos.

"It's a very big deal," says Leonard Maltin, the film historian, critic and author of "Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons."

"She's the first modern American [Disney] princess, and that she's black sends a huge message," says Cori Murray, entertainment director for Essence magazine.

From Disney's new movie, "The Princess and the Frog," this Tiana doll is wearing a dress that lights up with firefly lights and makes magical sounds. It also comes with the frog character, Prince Naveen.

(UPH)--  For my black mothers out there... Shame on you if this isn't on your daughter's Christmas list.