Collecting American Girl Dolls is a wonderful way to teach young children about early American history. The Dolls are representations of the characters in the American Girl series books.
There are three types of American Girl Dolls to collect. There is the historical collection. Such as, Felicity, who is a Colonial girl in 1774. There is also American Girl Today girl who represent girl of the modern era. These dolls are available in a variety of eye, skin and hair color so they will resemble the children who collect them.
Finally there is a line of dolls called Bitty Babies which are baby dolls and are much smaller than the 18 inch American Girl Dolls.
Other characters include Kaya, an adventurous Nez Perce girl growing up in 1764. In the book she has a horse named Steps High and a pet dog named Tatlo. She also has lots of fun with her blind sisters.
Kaya has great dreams of leading her people in the future. "Kaya" is short for the Nez Perce name Kaya' aton' my which means "she who arranges rocks." Kaya is the newest American Girl Doll. She is the "first" American Girl, and she made her appearance in 2002.
A more recent time period doll is Samantha Parkington a bright girl living with her rich grandmother in 1904. Change is in the air in America, and Samantha's world is filled with frills and all the finest things a little girl could dream of.
Samantha does see that times are not good for everybody, especially her friend Nellie. Nellie, a servant girl whose life is nothing like Samantha's!
Along with Molly and Kirsten, Samantha were the three American Girls that launched the collection in 1986.
Molly McIntire is a lovable scamp, dreaming and growing up in 1944. In 1944 the world is at war, and she longs for her father who is overseas looking after the wounded.
Molly doesn't like having to change so much for the war effort, things like eating turnips and rationing nice things. But she learns the importance of getting along, for her family and her country.
Kirsten Larson is a girl growing up in pioneer times. Her story is set in Minnesota around 1854. A long journey Sweden to America, Kirsten finds her new life is an adventure. As she travels though her story she finds what makes her new situation feel like home, again.
Once you consider which time period your child might be most interested in you will have thousands of choices to make. The American Girl Dolls have period correct clothing including matching clothing for your child. Games, ornaments, stocking stuffers and tons of other things can be purchased.
We have found that the internet has the best deals for new and retired American Girl items.
About The Author-- Tim Russell mailto:tlrussell@american-girl-doll.netEmail Tim, American Girl Doll Collecting
