American Girl Doll News

I went to the American Girl store in Nashville today to take some pictures of the new items - here they are!

Out of all of the times where I sat down to read a brand new American Girl book, I have never felt the feeling I feel right now. I've always felt happy, elated, after reading. Like I was transported to the featured doll's world. Like I got to know them better. Some books, I will admit, I liked more than others, but no matter how I felt about the book, it always felt great reading them, because every time I read them, I was able to learn more about the dolls I love - my special interest. You know how I felt today, after I read Summer Gets to Work? Empty. There was at least one typo in this book. At least three or four illustrations were copy-and-pasted from the journal. Some of the storyline of the book was interrupted by exposition dumps about what happened in the journal, acting like we've never read it, but in reality, the journal is out for people who haven't bought the Summer doll to buy. But the biggest complaint is, as I was reading this, I felt like it was the same plotlines as the journal over and over again. The big plot points of Summer Gets to Work was getting ready for another entrepreneur fair. Another cat adjusting to Summer's home. More sister drama. And the only plotline that wasn't a retread of the journal was the standard Girl of the Year best friend drama that happens with every doll, every year! As the book went on, frustration started to pent up in my body. Not just because of the book's quality, but because of everything that has been going on with American Girl this last half-decade. Stores closing because it's cheaper for Mattel to sell items online. Catalogs becoming thinner because it's cheaper for Mattel to sell items online. Collections for character dolls becoming shafted, thin, because Mattel sees more money selling collaborations with known intellectual properties and $300 Swavorski-crystaled dolls. The building that American Girl was housed in since the 90s being shut down in favor of more Mattel corporate control. The ending of the Benefit Sale for charity, so Mattel could make more money. Laying off workers that had been at the company since Pleasant Rowland was CEO, so Mattel could have more control. Books becoming thinner, and thinner, and now, decidedly so, much more low effort than they used to be. Then, I read Melody's diary. I will admit, since it's just a diary of a story I had already read years prior, I knew what to expect. But experiencing Melody's story again, even if it was in a different format, felt absolutely amazing. I haven't read Melody's books since they first released in 2016, but reading about Melody's real struggles, and her family, and all the conflict in her life, and the historical context, all over again, but with the knowledge of being almost 20 years old and knowing a lot more about our country's history - it felt like how reading an American Girl book should feel like. Not frustration at a lack of quality and care. Not frustration at the state of the company. Magic. I love American Girl, and I will always love American Girl. But Mattel's management of the company lately, ever since they shut down the American Girl headquarters and started managing it directly about 2-3 years ago, has felt like a slap in the face. When it had autonomy from Mattel, American Girl used to be magical. Effort was put into every doll and every story, the dolls felt like different worlds, the collections were so detailed, the books were rich with description and unique character arcs and a storytelling pedigree unheard of from any toy company. But now, with corporate greed being put over the quality Pleasant Rowland herself wanted from American Girl when she founded this company nearly 40 years ago, it's been hard to deal with as a fan. It's been hard to see your favorite thing go from a thing with so much effort to a thing made just to make a quick buck.

American Girl is releasing a collab on January 16 with Posh Peanut. It is girl and doll clothing - check it out!

I went to the AG store in Nashville today and they had the American Girl books that weren’t available online!

The releases of 2 American Girl books that were supposed to release today have been delayed: Summer Gets To Work has been delayed to January 28th. My Diary by Melody has been delayed to March 11th.

We have made it to the first month of 2025 - it's time to see who will be the Doll of the Month for December! Will it be Summer, Kavi, or Lila?

Eleven years ago today, I started American Girl Doll News. When I was 8 years old and decided to make a blog all about American Girl dolls, I had no clue how much of an impact it would make on my life, or that it would be going eleven years later - when at that time, I hadn't even turned 11 yet. But these past eleven years of my life, posting on this blog, giving you guys the latest updates on American Girl, showcasing my love of these dolls through every post, it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Throughout the years, I have been able to showcase so many sides of these dolls - giving you all information about new dolls before they come out, highlighting old ones, showcasing the stories of each doll, updating you all about product releases, new books and movies, and so much more. And it is because of your support that I'm able to do this, and that I've been able to keep the blog running as long as it has been. Thank you all so much for your support - here's to the future of American Girl Doll News!

Well, the time has come. I’m going back to Nashville for my second semester of college tomorrow, which meant today will be the last Saturday ever where I go to the American Girl store in Charlotte. I’ll save the sentimental stuff for when it actually closes next month, but I braved the crowds and took photos of as many displays as I could today, so we can look at them after Charlotte closes!

Today is Melody's birthday. She was born this day in 1954, which makes her 71 today! P.S: Happy 2025!

Well, another year has come and gone, and in a few days, it will be 11 years since American Girl Doll News was founded! I just wanted to say Happy New Year, and thank you for supporting the blog in 2024! More posts will come your way in 2025! -Sydney

Here are the covers for Nanea and Maryellen's diaries! So far, there are no plans to release these separately, but I hope that changes - especially since I have 2 Nanea dolls, the only doll I have 2 of!

Let's admit it - it feels weird now that it's the final days of December and the Girl of the Year for the upcoming year has been out for months. But now that it's almost officially time for Summer's year, I figured I'd do a few posts about her, starting now! Here's a few firsts about Summer: Summer is the first American Girl doll from the state of Maryland. Summer is the first Girl of the Year with the Nanea face mold. Summer was born the same year as Gwynn, Corinne's little sister - 2015! Summer is the second Gen Alpha Girl of the Year, after Lila Monetti from 2024. Summer is the first Girl of the Year, first modern character, and second doll overall to come wearing glasses. Summer is the first Girl of the Year to have a disabled pet, as her cat Fettuccine is diabetic. Fettuccine is also the first time diabetes is involved in an American Girl story. Summer's sister Holly is the first sibling of an American Girl doll to have a noted birthday - December 21, 2013. Summer's story is similar to Lanie's, as they both feature an aunt coming from out of down that teaches their niece a lesson. Summer's story is also similar to Grace's and Blaire's, as both of them are entrepreneurs who enjoy cooking, baking, and in Blaire's case, animals. Summer is the fourth Girl of the Year to have colored hair extensions, after Isabelle, Luciana and Corinne, and the third Girl of the Year to have them permanently attached, after Luciana and Corinne.