I Just Can't Walk Away

New 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?
( Now with pics and more commentary! You're uh, welcome? I'm sorry? )

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.

So... new AG time. We'll begin with the random and say that Felicity's doll isn't even available (or easily found, anyway) so she got more than cubed. o_O Also, the rumor about the dolls going down to $98 is true so if you've had your eye on one... now wouldn't be the worst time to snag her, I would imagine.

Going to get the petty and not so petty problems out of the way.
As someone who isn't using her phone or other mobile device to try and navigate the site, I hate the new set-up. It's awful and I will actually take it as a personal attack if I have to hear anyone say they love it UNLESS they had trouble with the site previously and this somehow fixed it for them. For me, I can't find the goddamn prices on the actual product pages and I hate how the cubed girls just automatically take you to a page that loads what little they have left for them like you're going to hit the "add to bag" button and never realize you added the doll, her accessories, and her remaining books. That's just sneaky and shitty, AG. I mention the mobile bit because it's entirely possible this is something that works really well on there but I only shop via mobile when desperate and even then I hate every second of it, no matter how well done the site is. Also, it's possible that the price showing up issue might've been resolved as I typed this behemoth up.

In general, I think it's a stupid idea to lower the prices on the dolls while jacking up the prices on everything else. I like the lower prices on the dolls, don't get me wrong, but I would've thought based on how I've seen a LOT of people buy for their kids, that the other stuff is where they lose potential customers anyway. Target and Walmart stepped up their game considerably and while I still think AG was winning in actual clothing, it wasn't by much and for a lot of parents it wasn't worth the price difference. I'm not sure how many are going to be okay with dropping $40+ on an outfit. Although... no, we'll save that conspiracy theory for later on once I've had a chance to actually look at this stuff properly.

In no particular order, we dive into the Historical collections. Bonus points if you can figure out which item I bought via personal shopper over the weekend so I could use my rewards before they expired!

( Onward, starting with Julie! )
So. Did you figure out which item I bought?