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Feb. 11th, 2026 09:43 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
impyNew AG stuff dropped for preorder today but I'm too tired to do it justice today, so quickly it's going to have to be.
https://www.americangirl.com/collections/modern-era-dolls
Wellie Wisher sized historical dolls, kinda. Re-imagined for today.
We'll edit pics in later when I have time, but for now, links will do, maybe?
Modern Era Samantha Doll // $90
Item#JLL10
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. Always a trendsetter, Samantha Parkington gets a playful update with this 14.5-inch doll featuring plaid patterns, statement bows, and golden accents that give a nod to her 1904 charm.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Modern Era™ Samantha™ doll with brown eyes and long wavy dark-brown hair with bangs, styled with a plaid-bow headband. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold.
A pink satin top with semitransparent puff sleeves, a golden-button front, and a fold-back lapel finished with a black velvet bow with a golden heart pendant, mirroring her treasured brooch locket that held pictures of her parents
A plaid satin skirt with a black contrast waistband and layers of pink tulle, echoing the print of Samantha’s original checked taffeta dress
Also includes:
A matching plaid satin purse with a bow on the front and hand straps dolls can hold
A pair of pink socks
A pair of shiny white faux-leather ballet flats with black-capped toes and red satin ribbon straps
A pair of cotton underwear
Please note:
18-inch historical character doll sold separately
Sam is my favorite. By far. Is it because I'm a Sam fangirl at heart? Maybe. But she also makes the jump pretty well. But 90 fucking dollars?!? The Huntr/x dolls are $165 and include weapons and are full size AG dolls.
Still. Love her.
eta: Okay, it's been days and she's still my favorite. She's giving "poor little rich girl with a heart of gold" vibes, which is pretty spot on for Samantha. It might also be that I can appreciate the immaculate outfit while fully acknowledging that, like Samantha herself, I would never be able to keep it as pretty as it started... but dolls? Dolls are a different story. The second tax return money hits, she will be ordered. ♥
Modern Era Kirsten // $90
Item#JLL12
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. Honoring Kirsten Larson’s 1854 prairie roots, this 14.5-inch doll features floral-print fabric, ruffled details, and delicate embroidery.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Kirsten™ doll with blue eyes and wavy blonde hair gathered in two symmetrical space buns. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold.
A light-blue dress dotted with tiny red florals inspired by Kirsten’s original calico dress, with red floral embroidery on the collar, faux blue buttons along the front, a drop waist, and a ruffled hem representing the “grow stripe” on her classic dress
A red ribbon bracelet with an attached faux-amber heart charm—a token evoking Papa’s faith in her
A glittery heart-shaped purse as sweet as her spoon bag, featuring an embroidered monogram on the front
Also includes:
Two red flower barrettes with rhinestone centers
A pair of white socks with fold-over ruffled cuffs
A pair of red lace-up boots with black laces and soles
A pair of cotton underwear
How do you mess up space buns so badly? I love the outfit though. Thing is, Kiki here is giving me uncanny AI valley and so do a lot of the group promo shots.
eta: I stand by my disliking them calling these space buns. The doll itself is still in uncanny valley for me, though less so than when I first saw her. I like her outfit, for the most part, though I do not love them making her amber necklace a bracelet just because the bead is too big, proportionally speaking. It will forever kill/amuse me that, canonically speaking, Kirsten's favorite color is pink and yet they do so little with that. (I know the nods are mostly to their Meet outfits but I'm talking in general here.) If these stick around long enough to go on sale, I will likely wind up with her or at least her stuff.
Modern Era Addy Doll // $90
Item#JLL11
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. Inspired by the original style of the courageous Addy Walker, this 14.5-inch doll pairs striped pink and patterned blue for a pretty paneled look, accented with accessories honoring her heritage.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Modern Era™ Addy™ doll with brown eyes and black hair styled in twists with a half-up ponytail. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold. Addy also includes attached golden hoop earrings.
A paneled dress that playfully combines two prints from Addy’s original 1864 cinnamon-pink dress and her bonnet’s blue calico ribbon. The dress features contrast panels, faux black buttons, and mock front pockets.
A faux-rattan woven bag inspired by Addy’s straw bonnet, featuring a blue fabric bow and hand straps that dolls can hold
A faux cowrie shell necklace on a black cord—a reminder of her strength, heritage, and love of family
Also includes:
A pair of white knee socks
A pair of pink platform shoes with golden metal buckles
A pair of cotton underwear
Addy looks like they just shrunk her down but didn't quite get the proportions down right. Close. I feel like I would like the outfit more without the blue on the dress, which is weird. But of the three that leaked yesterday, she's my second fave.
eta: I stand by my original thinking that her head is just a smidge too big, but I am willing to believe/hope that maybe it's the angle or just whatever the proto doll has that the real one will not. It's also wild to me how quickly doll companies went from never including baby hairs to going ALL THE FUCK IN. I also figured out my issue with her dress. It's pretty much the definition of Mattel cutting corners. The blue could go all the way around the back in some form, but doesn't, so that stands out. The pockets are faux and make no fucking sense (seriously, what the actual fuck? Are they meant to be sideways?), which is the bigger sin here, as I feel like Addy's mother would just not be down for senseless faux pockets, and even if she was, Addy wouldn't be. I do like the style of the dress though, and her shoes having little platforms tickles me since Cass still lives in platform shoes when she can get away with it, and I associate Addy with her since Addy is her "no, this is MY doll, but the girls can have the rest" doll.
Cute, but got the stylistic short end of the stick for the first time in awhile. I guess it was bound to happen. She can't win them all, but she had a good run there for awhile.
Addy's also got the current kerfuffle of people being upset that allegedly her box art is from the plantation she escapes from. Which I mean, maybe? I was never really sure on whether her Meet art, which all the box art is mimicking for those who didn't notice, was referencing her past (and if so, she's not behind the fence, she's free) or what. I'm mostly glad that the corners of the AG world I lurk at the moment are kinda dead, so while this whole release has been met with a lot of fuckery, it hasn't been focusing on this while the rest of the world is burning.
Modern Era Josefina Doll // $90
Item#JLL13
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. Hopeful and helpful Josefina Montoya gets a contemporary update with this 14.5-inch doll with crimson ruffled shorts, colorful primrose accents, and cowgirl boots.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Modern Era™ Josefina™ doll with brown eyes and dark-brown hair styled in a half French-braid. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold. Josefina also includes attached golden hoop earrings.
A flowy white peasant top inspired by Josefina’s camisa, featuring a notched neckline with a bow, scalloped trim, and bell sleeves with white bows
A pair of vibrant red ruffle-hem shorts in Josefina’s original 1824 floral pattern
A gold-metal chain necklace with a faux-garnet pendant
A tan faux-leather purse with colorful primrose embroidery on the flap, a nod to cherished memories of Mamá
Also includes:
A golden faux-leather disc belt with laser-cut details, inspired by her original waist sash
A pair of white knee-high boots with multicolored floral embroidery
A pair of white cotton underwear
Josefina looks the most WW to me, but she's also really pretty.I lowkey love the boots even if I don't fully love them with the outfit. But I don't hate it.
eta: She's still either the prettiest or very close second for me, and she still also is very much the most Wellie of them all. But the better years of the Wellies, obviously. Her outfit is somehow almost perfect and also one of those where things I don't like, I zero in on while still enjoying the whole thing. It's very weird. Maybe the inverse of Addy's in that regard? Like, I normally love a bell sleeve, but I don't super love them here... but in the whole outfit, they mostly work. The boots are giving rich, preppy Texan cheerleader type but still... also kind of work? (and yes, I know she's not from Texas, that's part of the confusion going on here in my brain!) That gold belt is going to disintigrate within the decade but it's also one of my favorite parts of this. It took me entirely too long to realize those were shorts, but the moment I did, my brain lit up in absolute delight. Seriously, I do not understand how my brain works, but Josefina here is lovely.
Modern Era Molly Doll // $90
Item#JLL14
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. The standout with winning spirit, Molly McIntire gets a mod update with this 14.5-inch collector doll with statement glasses, argyle accents, and a signature beret.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Modern Era™ Molly™ doll with gray eyes, a pair of round red glasses, and straight brown hair styled with small side braids. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold.
A red knit short sweater with short puff sleeves, a polo collar with decorative buttons, and navy argyle details along one side, inspired by her 1944 look
A navy-blue sweater-knit wrap skirt with a red scallop detail
A navy-blue sparkle-knit beret with an embroidered red bow
A blue elastic cord bracelet with a silver metal heart charm, echoing the locket that held her dad’s photo
A red faux-leather wristlet with fold-over top, embroidered bow, and red wrist strap
Also includes:
A pair of white knit socks
A pair of shiny red faux-leather loafers with white platform soles and golden chain accents across the toes
A pair of cotton underwear
They massacred my girl. What the fuck, Mols? Why are you blonde adjacent? Why is your face flat? Whyyyyyyyyyy? I like the outfit but the doll is doing me in. Whyyyyyy?
eta: It's funny how AG is calling this light brown when it's been caramel (and a color they consider blonde) in nearly every other doll they've used it on. Like I would bet dollars to donuts this is the same color, or very close, that gymnast McKenna has. Someone else pointed out that the odds of modern!Molly being the character to dye her hair are pretty high, and this I can agree with. I can absolutely see her actually dying it, or buying a thousand bottles of sun-in and going to town. So for this, I'm willing to begrudgingly concede half a point, but her face still looks oddly squished. I'm hoping it's a proto/promo doll issue and not one that makes the jump to the actual doll, because it's weird that Sam's face does not have the squished chipmunk look, but Molly does. And weirder still that Kirsten is somewhere in between, since they all share the same mold.
I still love her outfit. Those shoes? ADORE THEM. I don't super love the necklace is now a charm bracelet (or a charm on a hairband, because that's the look) change here, but it works better than Kirsten's for me so... hey, look, Molly's got sparkles in her beret! Bet that makes her happy.
But the overall vibe of the doll is someone trying very, very hard to cosplay Molly, which isn't quite the same vibe as everyone else. Again, I'm blaming this on the doll being so different from her original doll.
Modern Era Felicity Doll // $90
Item#JMW59
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. Channeling Felicity Merriman’s 1774 boldness and bravery, this 14.5-inch doll features rose-print satin, coral-colored beads, and equestrian-inspired accessories.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Modern Era™ Felicity™ doll with green eyes and auburn hair pulled into a high, half-up ponytail. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold.
A rose-print satin peplum top featuring a square neckline, front laces, pink ruffles, and puff sleeves
A pair of dark-blue faux-denim jeans with flared legs and pink bows at the ankles
A coral-colored beaded necklace, recalling the beads she wore for luck
A pink faux-leather saddlebag purse with a bronze metal buckle closure inspired by her original shoes, hand straps dolls can hold, and an attachable red faux-leather horse charm with a satin-ribbon loop
Also includes:
A pair of pink faux-leather platform ankle boots inspired by her riding boots
A pair of cotton underwear
Lyssie didn't leak at all yesterday beyond confusion about whether her doll was dropped completely. She's my second fave actually, though it kills me that she still can't escape the wallpaper print. I want her to be Nan, her little sister.
eta: Is it weird that I feel like Lyssie's outfit is the most dated? Like original!Sam's outfits all feel very product of the 80's and their turn of the century nods, while this feels very much 2010's, so Lyssie feels less modern take on a classic and more like she's 10-15 years late to the party. At first I thought it was just the top giving me the vibes, but no, it's very much the top and jeans combo, particularly when you factor in that her shoes are also boots. Like the whole vibe, y'know? But maybe for kids it'll land since I gather parts of this look are/were staging a comeback. The purse is probably my least favorite thing since it doesn't really seem like that much effort was put into it because we've seen this exact same pattern more than a time or three before. The horse color clashes, the buckle is nearly bigger than the bag itself, and I will never see Felicity as a pink girlie.
Which is a lot of shit talking for an outfit I don't dislike. The closeup of the top and her necklace? Adorable. The wallpaper look of her original Meet will never NOT be my first thought (I'm so sorry, but as a kid I spent so many field trips to historically restored homes and this has always screamed wallpaper to me and WILL always scream wallpaper, and I know I'm not alone), but the laces help offset that while still being a nod to her original time period.
ALSO. If we're totally gonna change Molly's hair, why the FUCK can I not get a proper copper haired Felicity doll? Who do I have to maim, murder, or dismember to get one? This would've been the perfect time to give her the hair her character has in the books, goddammit!
Sigh. She's still somehow my second fave and she will be mine. Also, you'll notice that while she does look surprised, she does not have Molly's smooshed face. Again, same face mold for the original doll, so what gives?!
Oh, and the more eagle-eyed amongst you might've noticed she's the only one with a wildly different item number. Why, Felicity? What are you up to?
People have also been speculating that since her listing mentions that the larger doll is sold separately, that we'll be getting another re-release of Felicity this year. I... do not remain convinced of this, honestly.
All the dolls have Preorder Ship Date of May 1st, btw.
Samantha: The Next Chapter Hardcover Book // $30
Item#JNR10
Adult fans can continue Samantha Parkington’s story in this historical-fiction novel set in 1920 New York City. Now 25 years old, Samantha is working hard to educate women in New York about suffrage and encourage them to vote in their first presidential election that fall. But when Samantha’s large inheritance, including her childhood Mount Bedford home, is stolen in a shocking scheme, she goes from socialite to shop girl overnight and experiences a very different side of New York City living in a boarding house. Searching for clues regarding the theft of her inheritance, she infiltrates the business of a notorious criminal in New York City. Determined as ever, Samantha will do whatever it takes to find answers and save her family’s legacy. 256 pages. Hardcover. Author: Fiona Davis.
Please note:
The images depicted on the book-cover artwork are preliminary. Final designs and color may vary.
Ships by October 13
New book, new book! Sam as an adult! Well, 25. Still!!! Excited and fully expecting it to fail to live up to my own expectations but NEW BOOK. Can't be as bad as Sweet Valley Confidential, right?
Right?
eta: Yeah, I still have misgivings about how this is going to go, specifically given how this feels a bit like a retread on some of Nellie's arc. But there is a vast difference between children and adults and their experiences, so I'm willing to be cautiously optimistic. Or whatever I actually am, where I'm thrilled at a new historical book with an actual story but also not totally sure about the content of such story. Whatever that is, that's where I am.
I very much hope this does well, and is done well, so we get more Legacy books.
Okay, this one was announced earlier, but since we're discussing Anniversary things, I feel like it'll slot in nicely here. Coming May 12, we've got this book:
The Making of American Girl Hardcover Book // $40
Item#JNP35
Enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the early days of American Girl with this beautifully crafted hardcover book. Drawing on an unprecedented exploration of our archives, it traces the brand’s evolution chronologically, beginning with the first historical characters—Samantha, Kirsten, and Molly.
Turn the pages to discover the origins of American Girl magazine, the development of additional characters, and the debut of the first American Girl Place in Chicago. Examine never-before-seen product designs and original catalogue pages. Explore early character concepts, historical research references, and illustration sketches.
Following the company from founder Pleasant Rowland’s handwritten business plan on a yellow legal pad to the realization of her vision, this book offers an intimate look at the creative journey that shaped American Girl. 288 pages. Hardcover.
This sounds right up my nerdy little heart's alley, so I should probably get around to preordering it ASAP.
There are other things I've missed in the last however long, and depending on my weekend, we might loop back and get as many of them as I can, or I might just hit the ones that spark my own interest.
But overall, I actually think this is a really cute idea and that it was done pretty well based on what we can see right now. A lot of fandom does not agree, but AG fandom has long been a toxic cesspool that would make its own characters cry out in frustration so... it is what it is, I suppose. For the most part, I think the dolls are cute and that the outfits were given more than a passing glance at their history in their re-imagining. The lower than a regular AG doll price point means that there's a higher chance someone can buy these, or buy multiple, and they're not just yet another re-release of the same dolls.
I wouldn't be mad if they released the outfits/accessories in the 18inch size, but I also understand why they wouldn't, since the size of the dolls has varied so much over the last 40-freakin'-years and it would be opening themselves up to a whole host of complaints. I hope there's more in store for their anniversary year because I am a greedy, greedy girl who needs little wisps of happy to keep me from burning the universe down around me.
Please excuse the numerous typos before, but I was doing all of that on my phone, so we're all lucky it was at all close to something you could read and understand.
https://www.americangirl.com/collections/modern-era-dolls
Wellie Wisher sized historical dolls, kinda. Re-imagined for today.
Modern Era Samantha Doll // $90
Item#JLL10
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. Always a trendsetter, Samantha Parkington gets a playful update with this 14.5-inch doll featuring plaid patterns, statement bows, and golden accents that give a nod to her 1904 charm.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Modern Era™ Samantha™ doll with brown eyes and long wavy dark-brown hair with bangs, styled with a plaid-bow headband. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold.
A pink satin top with semitransparent puff sleeves, a golden-button front, and a fold-back lapel finished with a black velvet bow with a golden heart pendant, mirroring her treasured brooch locket that held pictures of her parents
A plaid satin skirt with a black contrast waistband and layers of pink tulle, echoing the print of Samantha’s original checked taffeta dress
Also includes:
A matching plaid satin purse with a bow on the front and hand straps dolls can hold
A pair of pink socks
A pair of shiny white faux-leather ballet flats with black-capped toes and red satin ribbon straps
A pair of cotton underwear
Please note:
18-inch historical character doll sold separately
Sam is my favorite. By far. Is it because I'm a Sam fangirl at heart? Maybe. But she also makes the jump pretty well. But 90 fucking dollars?!? The Huntr/x dolls are $165 and include weapons and are full size AG dolls.
Still. Love her.
eta: Okay, it's been days and she's still my favorite. She's giving "poor little rich girl with a heart of gold" vibes, which is pretty spot on for Samantha. It might also be that I can appreciate the immaculate outfit while fully acknowledging that, like Samantha herself, I would never be able to keep it as pretty as it started... but dolls? Dolls are a different story. The second tax return money hits, she will be ordered. ♥
Modern Era Kirsten // $90
Item#JLL12
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. Honoring Kirsten Larson’s 1854 prairie roots, this 14.5-inch doll features floral-print fabric, ruffled details, and delicate embroidery.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Kirsten™ doll with blue eyes and wavy blonde hair gathered in two symmetrical space buns. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold.
A light-blue dress dotted with tiny red florals inspired by Kirsten’s original calico dress, with red floral embroidery on the collar, faux blue buttons along the front, a drop waist, and a ruffled hem representing the “grow stripe” on her classic dress
A red ribbon bracelet with an attached faux-amber heart charm—a token evoking Papa’s faith in her
A glittery heart-shaped purse as sweet as her spoon bag, featuring an embroidered monogram on the front
Also includes:
Two red flower barrettes with rhinestone centers
A pair of white socks with fold-over ruffled cuffs
A pair of red lace-up boots with black laces and soles
A pair of cotton underwear
How do you mess up space buns so badly? I love the outfit though. Thing is, Kiki here is giving me uncanny AI valley and so do a lot of the group promo shots.
eta: I stand by my disliking them calling these space buns. The doll itself is still in uncanny valley for me, though less so than when I first saw her. I like her outfit, for the most part, though I do not love them making her amber necklace a bracelet just because the bead is too big, proportionally speaking. It will forever kill/amuse me that, canonically speaking, Kirsten's favorite color is pink and yet they do so little with that. (I know the nods are mostly to their Meet outfits but I'm talking in general here.) If these stick around long enough to go on sale, I will likely wind up with her or at least her stuff.
Modern Era Addy Doll // $90
Item#JLL11
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. Inspired by the original style of the courageous Addy Walker, this 14.5-inch doll pairs striped pink and patterned blue for a pretty paneled look, accented with accessories honoring her heritage.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Modern Era™ Addy™ doll with brown eyes and black hair styled in twists with a half-up ponytail. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold. Addy also includes attached golden hoop earrings.
A paneled dress that playfully combines two prints from Addy’s original 1864 cinnamon-pink dress and her bonnet’s blue calico ribbon. The dress features contrast panels, faux black buttons, and mock front pockets.
A faux-rattan woven bag inspired by Addy’s straw bonnet, featuring a blue fabric bow and hand straps that dolls can hold
A faux cowrie shell necklace on a black cord—a reminder of her strength, heritage, and love of family
Also includes:
A pair of white knee socks
A pair of pink platform shoes with golden metal buckles
A pair of cotton underwear
Addy looks like they just shrunk her down but didn't quite get the proportions down right. Close. I feel like I would like the outfit more without the blue on the dress, which is weird. But of the three that leaked yesterday, she's my second fave.
eta: I stand by my original thinking that her head is just a smidge too big, but I am willing to believe/hope that maybe it's the angle or just whatever the proto doll has that the real one will not. It's also wild to me how quickly doll companies went from never including baby hairs to going ALL THE FUCK IN. I also figured out my issue with her dress. It's pretty much the definition of Mattel cutting corners. The blue could go all the way around the back in some form, but doesn't, so that stands out. The pockets are faux and make no fucking sense (seriously, what the actual fuck? Are they meant to be sideways?), which is the bigger sin here, as I feel like Addy's mother would just not be down for senseless faux pockets, and even if she was, Addy wouldn't be. I do like the style of the dress though, and her shoes having little platforms tickles me since Cass still lives in platform shoes when she can get away with it, and I associate Addy with her since Addy is her "no, this is MY doll, but the girls can have the rest" doll.
Cute, but got the stylistic short end of the stick for the first time in awhile. I guess it was bound to happen. She can't win them all, but she had a good run there for awhile.
Addy's also got the current kerfuffle of people being upset that allegedly her box art is from the plantation she escapes from. Which I mean, maybe? I was never really sure on whether her Meet art, which all the box art is mimicking for those who didn't notice, was referencing her past (and if so, she's not behind the fence, she's free) or what. I'm mostly glad that the corners of the AG world I lurk at the moment are kinda dead, so while this whole release has been met with a lot of fuckery, it hasn't been focusing on this while the rest of the world is burning.
Modern Era Josefina Doll // $90
Item#JLL13
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. Hopeful and helpful Josefina Montoya gets a contemporary update with this 14.5-inch doll with crimson ruffled shorts, colorful primrose accents, and cowgirl boots.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Modern Era™ Josefina™ doll with brown eyes and dark-brown hair styled in a half French-braid. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold. Josefina also includes attached golden hoop earrings.
A flowy white peasant top inspired by Josefina’s camisa, featuring a notched neckline with a bow, scalloped trim, and bell sleeves with white bows
A pair of vibrant red ruffle-hem shorts in Josefina’s original 1824 floral pattern
A gold-metal chain necklace with a faux-garnet pendant
A tan faux-leather purse with colorful primrose embroidery on the flap, a nod to cherished memories of Mamá
Also includes:
A golden faux-leather disc belt with laser-cut details, inspired by her original waist sash
A pair of white knee-high boots with multicolored floral embroidery
A pair of white cotton underwear
Josefina looks the most WW to me, but she's also really pretty.I lowkey love the boots even if I don't fully love them with the outfit. But I don't hate it.
eta: She's still either the prettiest or very close second for me, and she still also is very much the most Wellie of them all. But the better years of the Wellies, obviously. Her outfit is somehow almost perfect and also one of those where things I don't like, I zero in on while still enjoying the whole thing. It's very weird. Maybe the inverse of Addy's in that regard? Like, I normally love a bell sleeve, but I don't super love them here... but in the whole outfit, they mostly work. The boots are giving rich, preppy Texan cheerleader type but still... also kind of work? (and yes, I know she's not from Texas, that's part of the confusion going on here in my brain!) That gold belt is going to disintigrate within the decade but it's also one of my favorite parts of this. It took me entirely too long to realize those were shorts, but the moment I did, my brain lit up in absolute delight. Seriously, I do not understand how my brain works, but Josefina here is lovely.
Modern Era Molly Doll // $90
Item#JLL14
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. The standout with winning spirit, Molly McIntire gets a mod update with this 14.5-inch collector doll with statement glasses, argyle accents, and a signature beret.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Modern Era™ Molly™ doll with gray eyes, a pair of round red glasses, and straight brown hair styled with small side braids. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold.
A red knit short sweater with short puff sleeves, a polo collar with decorative buttons, and navy argyle details along one side, inspired by her 1944 look
A navy-blue sweater-knit wrap skirt with a red scallop detail
A navy-blue sparkle-knit beret with an embroidered red bow
A blue elastic cord bracelet with a silver metal heart charm, echoing the locket that held her dad’s photo
A red faux-leather wristlet with fold-over top, embroidered bow, and red wrist strap
Also includes:
A pair of white knit socks
A pair of shiny red faux-leather loafers with white platform soles and golden chain accents across the toes
A pair of cotton underwear
They massacred my girl. What the fuck, Mols? Why are you blonde adjacent? Why is your face flat? Whyyyyyyyyyy? I like the outfit but the doll is doing me in. Whyyyyyy?
eta: It's funny how AG is calling this light brown when it's been caramel (and a color they consider blonde) in nearly every other doll they've used it on. Like I would bet dollars to donuts this is the same color, or very close, that gymnast McKenna has. Someone else pointed out that the odds of modern!Molly being the character to dye her hair are pretty high, and this I can agree with. I can absolutely see her actually dying it, or buying a thousand bottles of sun-in and going to town. So for this, I'm willing to begrudgingly concede half a point, but her face still looks oddly squished. I'm hoping it's a proto/promo doll issue and not one that makes the jump to the actual doll, because it's weird that Sam's face does not have the squished chipmunk look, but Molly does. And weirder still that Kirsten is somewhere in between, since they all share the same mold.
I still love her outfit. Those shoes? ADORE THEM. I don't super love the necklace is now a charm bracelet (or a charm on a hairband, because that's the look) change here, but it works better than Kirsten's for me so... hey, look, Molly's got sparkles in her beret! Bet that makes her happy.
But the overall vibe of the doll is someone trying very, very hard to cosplay Molly, which isn't quite the same vibe as everyone else. Again, I'm blaming this on the doll being so different from her original doll.
Modern Era Felicity Doll // $90
Item#JMW59
Ever wondered how our historical characters might dress today? The Modern Era™ Collection opens a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a reimagined take on their original fashions. Channeling Felicity Merriman’s 1774 boldness and bravery, this 14.5-inch doll features rose-print satin, coral-colored beads, and equestrian-inspired accessories.
Premium features:
A 14.5" Modern Era™ Felicity™ doll with green eyes and auburn hair pulled into a high, half-up ponytail. Each Modern Era™ doll features custom face paint and a crafted, smaller-scale version of the original doll’s face mold.
A rose-print satin peplum top featuring a square neckline, front laces, pink ruffles, and puff sleeves
A pair of dark-blue faux-denim jeans with flared legs and pink bows at the ankles
A coral-colored beaded necklace, recalling the beads she wore for luck
A pink faux-leather saddlebag purse with a bronze metal buckle closure inspired by her original shoes, hand straps dolls can hold, and an attachable red faux-leather horse charm with a satin-ribbon loop
Also includes:
A pair of pink faux-leather platform ankle boots inspired by her riding boots
A pair of cotton underwear
Lyssie didn't leak at all yesterday beyond confusion about whether her doll was dropped completely. She's my second fave actually, though it kills me that she still can't escape the wallpaper print. I want her to be Nan, her little sister.
eta: Is it weird that I feel like Lyssie's outfit is the most dated? Like original!Sam's outfits all feel very product of the 80's and their turn of the century nods, while this feels very much 2010's, so Lyssie feels less modern take on a classic and more like she's 10-15 years late to the party. At first I thought it was just the top giving me the vibes, but no, it's very much the top and jeans combo, particularly when you factor in that her shoes are also boots. Like the whole vibe, y'know? But maybe for kids it'll land since I gather parts of this look are/were staging a comeback. The purse is probably my least favorite thing since it doesn't really seem like that much effort was put into it because we've seen this exact same pattern more than a time or three before. The horse color clashes, the buckle is nearly bigger than the bag itself, and I will never see Felicity as a pink girlie.
Which is a lot of shit talking for an outfit I don't dislike. The closeup of the top and her necklace? Adorable. The wallpaper look of her original Meet will never NOT be my first thought (I'm so sorry, but as a kid I spent so many field trips to historically restored homes and this has always screamed wallpaper to me and WILL always scream wallpaper, and I know I'm not alone), but the laces help offset that while still being a nod to her original time period.
ALSO. If we're totally gonna change Molly's hair, why the FUCK can I not get a proper copper haired Felicity doll? Who do I have to maim, murder, or dismember to get one? This would've been the perfect time to give her the hair her character has in the books, goddammit!
Sigh. She's still somehow my second fave and she will be mine. Also, you'll notice that while she does look surprised, she does not have Molly's smooshed face. Again, same face mold for the original doll, so what gives?!
Oh, and the more eagle-eyed amongst you might've noticed she's the only one with a wildly different item number. Why, Felicity? What are you up to?
People have also been speculating that since her listing mentions that the larger doll is sold separately, that we'll be getting another re-release of Felicity this year. I... do not remain convinced of this, honestly.
All the dolls have Preorder Ship Date of May 1st, btw.
Samantha: The Next Chapter Hardcover Book // $30
Item#JNR10
Adult fans can continue Samantha Parkington’s story in this historical-fiction novel set in 1920 New York City. Now 25 years old, Samantha is working hard to educate women in New York about suffrage and encourage them to vote in their first presidential election that fall. But when Samantha’s large inheritance, including her childhood Mount Bedford home, is stolen in a shocking scheme, she goes from socialite to shop girl overnight and experiences a very different side of New York City living in a boarding house. Searching for clues regarding the theft of her inheritance, she infiltrates the business of a notorious criminal in New York City. Determined as ever, Samantha will do whatever it takes to find answers and save her family’s legacy. 256 pages. Hardcover. Author: Fiona Davis.
Please note:
The images depicted on the book-cover artwork are preliminary. Final designs and color may vary.
Ships by October 13
New book, new book! Sam as an adult! Well, 25. Still!!! Excited and fully expecting it to fail to live up to my own expectations but NEW BOOK. Can't be as bad as Sweet Valley Confidential, right?
Right?
eta: Yeah, I still have misgivings about how this is going to go, specifically given how this feels a bit like a retread on some of Nellie's arc. But there is a vast difference between children and adults and their experiences, so I'm willing to be cautiously optimistic. Or whatever I actually am, where I'm thrilled at a new historical book with an actual story but also not totally sure about the content of such story. Whatever that is, that's where I am.
I very much hope this does well, and is done well, so we get more Legacy books.
Okay, this one was announced earlier, but since we're discussing Anniversary things, I feel like it'll slot in nicely here. Coming May 12, we've got this book:
The Making of American Girl Hardcover Book // $40
Item#JNP35
Enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the early days of American Girl with this beautifully crafted hardcover book. Drawing on an unprecedented exploration of our archives, it traces the brand’s evolution chronologically, beginning with the first historical characters—Samantha, Kirsten, and Molly.
Turn the pages to discover the origins of American Girl magazine, the development of additional characters, and the debut of the first American Girl Place in Chicago. Examine never-before-seen product designs and original catalogue pages. Explore early character concepts, historical research references, and illustration sketches.
Following the company from founder Pleasant Rowland’s handwritten business plan on a yellow legal pad to the realization of her vision, this book offers an intimate look at the creative journey that shaped American Girl. 288 pages. Hardcover.
This sounds right up my nerdy little heart's alley, so I should probably get around to preordering it ASAP.
There are other things I've missed in the last however long, and depending on my weekend, we might loop back and get as many of them as I can, or I might just hit the ones that spark my own interest.
But overall, I actually think this is a really cute idea and that it was done pretty well based on what we can see right now. A lot of fandom does not agree, but AG fandom has long been a toxic cesspool that would make its own characters cry out in frustration so... it is what it is, I suppose. For the most part, I think the dolls are cute and that the outfits were given more than a passing glance at their history in their re-imagining. The lower than a regular AG doll price point means that there's a higher chance someone can buy these, or buy multiple, and they're not just yet another re-release of the same dolls.
I wouldn't be mad if they released the outfits/accessories in the 18inch size, but I also understand why they wouldn't, since the size of the dolls has varied so much over the last 40-freakin'-years and it would be opening themselves up to a whole host of complaints. I hope there's more in store for their anniversary year because I am a greedy, greedy girl who needs little wisps of happy to keep me from burning the universe down around me.
Please excuse the numerous typos before, but I was doing all of that on my phone, so we're all lucky it was at all close to something you could read and understand.
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Date: 2026-02-16 09:23 pm (UTC)And yeah, Francine's insistence to not really follow anything past what, book 20/21? So fucking weird and will always be weird.
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Date: 2026-02-17 05:13 am (UTC)