American Girl Doll News

Here's the link to AGDN's next episode, live at 5 pm Eastern time zone: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeh7PGsMSWZSyDcgA0WXWYg

MIDDLETON, Wis., Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- American Girl has something special for every girl's holiday wish list—from newly released dolls that inspire girls to lift their voices and be a good friend to new movie specials, advice books, construction sets, and cooking kits that are sure to engage and entertain all season long! Melody Ellison Fostering harmony and joy this holiday season is Melody Ellison, American Girl's newest historical character growing up in 1960s Detroit during the civil rights movement. A budding singer filled with hope and enthusiasm, Melody encourages girls everywhere to sing out for positive change. Melody's collection includes a series of stories, an 18-inch Melody doll and many accessories that help bridge the past and present for girls. Top holiday picks include Melody's Motown-inspired Recording Studio, where girls can record their own vocals to exclusive tracks, and an Electric Piano that plays organ, piano and electric piano styles. New for Melody this holiday is the release of the first Amazon Original Special An American Girl Story—Melody 1963: Love Has to Win premiering Friday, October 21 on Prime Video in the US and UK. The first of four American Girl Original Specials for Prime Video stars Marsai Martin (Black-ish) as the title character Melody and Idara Victor (TURN: Washington's Spies) as Melody's mother Frances Ellison. The Melody Special is an Amazon adaptation of American Girl's Melody character and inspirational stories. Amazon and American Girl have also collaborated to feature a wide selection of Melody products in the American Girl brand store at Amazon: www.amazon.com/americangirl. An American Girl Story—Melody 1963: Love Has to Win will be available for Prime members using the Amazon Video app for TVs, connected devices including Fire TV and mobile devices, or online at Amazon.com/originals. WellieWishers Making a splash this year in their very own rain boots are American Girl's new WellieWishers—Willa, Kendall, Ashlyn, Emerson, and Camille. With a focus on kindness and empathy, the WellieWishers help younger girls ages 5-7 understand what it means to "stand in another person's wellies." The WellieWishers' world comes to life with 14½-inch character dolls (retail $60) and whimsical, garden-themed accessories, such as the Love and Caring Carriage, Flutter Wings Doll Carrier, and WellieWishers Playhouse, that offer hours of imaginative play. New to the line this fall are the first three WellieWishers books—The Riddle of the Robin, Ashlyn's Unsurprise Party, and the Muddily-Puddily Show—written with humor and heart by beloved American Girl author Valerie Tripp. The WellieWishers' adventures and lessons further unfold in American Girl's first-ever animated series available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The first episode of the WellieWishers' series is currently available for free to all Amazon customers through the Amazon Video app on TVs, connected devices, mobile devices or online. 2016 Girl of the Year – Lea Clark Only available until December 31 or while supplies last, the 2016 Girl of the Year, Lea Clark, is sure to thrill adventure-loving girls everywhere! Lea, a talented photographer with a love for animals, discovers a wide world of possibilities when she embarks on a faraway adventure to Brazil. Her collection includes an 18-inch Lea doll and book series, plus numerous tropical-inspired accessories, like Lea's Ocean Kayak Set, as well as clothes for girls and dolls. For a fun holiday night at home, girls can watch An American Girl: Lea to the Rescue, American Girl's first-ever action-adventure film set to air November 23, 2016 on Disney Channel. In the thrilling sequel to the original book series, Lea must face her fears as she travels deep into the Brazilian rainforest to solve the mystery of her missing brother. American Girl Holiday Gifts Under $50 Bringing even more joy to girls across the country, American Girl is sharing top selections in a variety of categories and price ranges. Mega Bloks® for American Girl Isabelle's Ballet Recital ($39.99): Girls can help Isabelle put on the perfect performance with this set that includes Isabelle and Luisa mini figures, a buildable ballet studio, a main stage with spinning floor, and a rehearsal area with real fabric details. Nicki's Horse Stables ($29.99): Nicki appreciates the great outdoors, and now girls can, too, by building her stable and a jump for her horse Jackson. Saige's Art Studio ($19.99): Girls can paint a masterpiece like Saige, with this buildable art studio with artist's easel, paint table, and real fabric details. Cooking Up Holiday Fun! American Girl Cooking ($19.95): Girls can bake some holiday traditions by trying one (or more!) of the 40 different recipes featured in this new cookbook from American Girl and Williams-Sonoma®. The book includes easy-to-follow instructions, helpful tips, and color photos. Spatulas and Pancake Kit ($9.95 and $39.95): Girls will flip for these new utensils perfect for whipping up a breakfast buffet or a special snack. Apron & Mitt for Girls and Dolls ($29.95 and $19.95): Together-time in the kitchen can be extra special with these matching apron and mitt sets for girls and dolls. Smart Advice for Girls Both parents and girls have come to love and trust the American Girl advice library. This holiday season, they're offering new options like A Smart Girl's Guide: Worry, School Rules!: Math and A Year of Slumber Parties. For more advice, tips, crafts and more, subscribe for a year's worth of fun through American Girl® magazine on the American Girl website. Parents capturing the spirit of the season are encouraged to share on social media channels tagging photos and videos with #Joy2EveryGirl. To learn more, visit www.americangirl.com, or find the brand on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. To request a free American Girl catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005. ABOUT AMERICAN GIRL American Girl is a premium brand for girls and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT, www.mattel.com), a creations company that inspires the wonder of childhood. Headquartered in Middleton, WI, American Girl offers an inspiring world of dolls, content, and experiences that nourish a girl's spirit and help develop her strength of character. Best-selling lines include Truly Me™, Girl of the Year™, Bitty Baby™, WellieWishers™, and the classic historical character line BeForever™. The company sells products through its award-winning catalogue, on americangirl.com, and in its experiential U.S. retail stores. By inspiring girls to be their best, American Girl has earned the loyalty of millions and the praise and trust of parents and educators.

Yikes! I was out at the school play rehearsal (I'm the assistant director, by the way) and now I'm coming to you with THIS news report! There is a new blue dress for the Truly Me line that leaked on eBay! Here it is: This is awesome, but the fabric looks cheap. Here's the back: AMERICAN GIRL TRIVIA: Pleasant Rowland sent out 500,000 copies of the first American Girl catalog. COMMENT DISCUSSION QUESTION: What after-school activites do you enjoy? MY ANSWER: I have acting classes on Wednesdays. After, I post the Hump Day Shoutout!

@just.me.and.ags on Instagram (who gave me permission to post her image) found a photo of the new Store Exclusive Ballgown in the latest issue of American Girl Magazine! The dress and the shoes leaked back in June, but now we get to see the whole outfit! Here it is! Ta-da! In addition to the dress and shoes we knew were coming, there will also be a cape, gloves, an armwarmer and a tiara! If you couldn't see, this is called the Fancy Frost Ballgown and will release on November 10, 2016. Now if only these weren't SO expensive! AMERICAN GIRL TRIVIA: The first issues of American Girl Magazine had what would later become the Historical Short Stories. COMMENT DISCUSSION QUESTION: What magazines are you subscribed to? MY ANSWER: None! I used to be subscribed to American Girl magazine, but my subscription ended with the last issue and I don't want to renew because American Girl magazine is boring.

I finally saved up enough money to buy a doll that I've been wanting for YEARS! She will be coming on Friday. I can't believe that I'm getting her! I can't say much, but I'll leave you with this photo: AMERICAN GIRL TRIVIA: In 1995, Truly Me dolls came with six blank books. COMMENT DISCUSSION QUESTION: Guess what doll's coming? Hint: It's not Lanie, I already have her!

Test your knowledge of Gabriela, the 2017 Girl of the Year, with me on Quizizz! Quizizz is a site where you can make live quiz games. The game will start at 7:15 PM Eastern time. Click on the following link: https://quizizz.com/join/ and type in the following code: 784000. Have fun!

I found a new outfit for Tenney Grant, the contemporary doll coming out in Spring 2017, on eBay! Here it is: I'm not sure about how I feel about this outfit. I get the country feel of it, but it is a bit wild. I might get it. AMERICAN GIRL TRIVIA: American Girl considered a small town singer who moved to Los Angeles with her aunt to live her dream for Girl of the Year 2007, but they decided on Nicki. COMMENT DISCUSSION QUESTION: What was the wackiest place you've ever been? MY ANSWER: Once I went to this very weird town for an improve show. #Tenney

Yikes! Nellie's birthday was yesterday and I forgot! Anyways, yesterday was Nellie's birthday! She was born yesterday in 1895, which makes her 121 today. Wow! America's oldest man isn't as old as Nellie! Since Nellie was a Best Friend, she didn't get a book about her birthday. I have Emily and Ruthie, and they are my only Best Friend dolls! I'm not connecting with Ruthie right now, but I really like her. Does anyone have any tips to help connect with Ruthie?

I'm going live at 5:55 pm Eastern for the second episode of American Girl Doll News! Player not working? Here's the link; http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeh7PGsMSWZSyDcgA0WXWYg/live

I found a new gown for Felicity! Hooray, the return of Felicity! Here's the photo: This is PERFECTION! I hope it's not her meet because I already have Felicity. I got her for free in 2014. Here's the rest of the photos: HISTORY TRIVIA: In Felicity's time, blue then= pink now for girls and pink then= blue now for boys. COMMENT DISCUSSION QUESTION: Have you watched the first episode of American Girl Doll News? I'm going live again at 5:30 pm Eastern!

The first episode in the 26-episode first season of Wellie Wishers is coming out TODAY!! If you have Prime, then go watch it after school! It's not up right now, because I tried to watch it and it didn't work. Maybe after school it will, because the press release said October 14!

On November 3rd, 2016, the American Girl Places in Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles will have holiday window unveilings! Each location will have treats served while you can look at the holiday window. I know that the American Girl places do a great job with their holiday windows, so I can't wait to see the picture online! While all of the big stores will have their unveilings on the same day, each store will have a different time. Here's the times list: Chicago- November 3, 2016 at 4:45 pm Central time (5:45 pm Eastern) Los Angeles- November 3, 2016 at 5 pm Pacific time (8 pm Eastern) New York City- November 3, 2016 at 4:15 pm Eastern time AMERICAN GIRL TRIVIA: The first American Girl store opened when American Girl was owned by Mattel, but Pleasant Rowland was still there. Pleasant retired in 2000. COMMENT DISCUSSION QUESTION: Have you ever been to the American Girl stores in Chicago, Los Angeles and/or New York City? MY ANSWER: Yes! I have been to the store in Los Angeles twice.