Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Top Tuesdays: Top American Girl Doll Historical Characters.

As the title of this blog suggests, I love American Girl Dolls. American Girl Dolls, for those unfamiliar, are separated into five different categories. Bitty Baby for young girls, Bitty Twin for young girls, My American Girl/Look-a-like/modern girls for elder girls, Girl of the Year which is a doll only available for a year, and Historical characters for older girls.
The historical characters have six books each and tell about a certain period in the history of America - the Civil War, War of 1812, etc. They also show different cultures - such as Mexican and Native America.
Currently, there have been 13 historical characters, though only 10 are available for purchase.
Here they are, my least favorite to most favorite!

13. Julie Albright (1970).
 

I've never really liked Julie. First of all, I don't really think the 1970's is historical... That would make my parents historical! I'm also not a fan of her face mold... I don't think the dolls with the bigger bottom lips are that attractive, but that's my personal opinion. Finally, I think that Julie is too plain.... Straight blond hair and brown eyes. She looks like a plain old doll.

12. Rebecca Rubin (1914).

 

I hated Rebecca when she first came out because I thought she was replacing Samantha. She came out right after Samantha was retired and her time period was only 10 years after Samantha's! She also stole Samantha's boots. She had the big-lip face mold, and I just didn't like her.
Now I have changed my mind, somewhat. I still think she replaced Samantha a bit... But their two cultures are SO different from each other, that I don't really mind anymore. I think that Rebecca is a good addition to the American Girl historical family - she is Jewish and therefore children who read the books are given a peep into another culture. I even think she's kind of pretty now. I love her hazel eyes mixed with brown curls.

11. Cecile Rey (1853).

 

Cecile is from New Orleans. That's about all I know about her... She's a really pretty doll and I've heard lots of good things about her. She's gorgeous in the store. Her eye color, complexion, and hair color go together beautifully (though her hair looks really hard to take care of!)

10. Caroline Abbott (1812).

 

I did a long post about Caroline here.
That being said.... I really like Caroline, even though she's another really plain doll and she looks like a lot of American Girl's other dolls.

9. Marie-Grace Gardner (1853).

 
See "Cecile." They go together.
Also, American Girl used a whole new hair color, eye color, and face mold for Marie-Grace so she's totally unique!

8. Kaya (1764).

 
 
(My picture, do not steal).
 
Kaya is a Nez Perce Indian living in the Pacific Northwest. When I was little, I wanted Kaya the most out of ALL the American Girl Dolls. I didn't get her until 2011 (or around there), however, and I'm glad because her hair is so difficult to take care of!
Kaya is a very beautiful doll and I really recommend her for older kids (because of her hair). Her story is also very, very cool and shows a whole different culture.
 
7. Addy Walker (1864).
 
 
 
(My picture, do not steal.)
 
Addy is also a very gorgeous doll with hard-to-take-care-of hair. At least, my Addy's hair is hard to take care of because she's an older doll. I love her face mold and her skin tone. Plus her stories are wonderful - the Civil War! They are about Addy and her mother escaping from their cruel master and then trying to make their way in the world.
 
6. Josefina Montoya (1824).
 
 
 
(My picture, do not steal.)
 
Josefina is the only big-lip doll that I really, really like. She's so gorgeous! I love her hair. Though it's long, it's very fun to play with. Her stories show the culture of Mexicans in the 1800's on their Rancho. They are very cool.
 
5. Kirsten Larson (1854).
 
 
 
(My picture, do not steal).
 
Kirsten was my second doll and I can really connect to her story. Her family immigrates from Sweden in the beginning of the book and goes to Minnesota. 100 years ago my great great grandfather packed up his family (and nearly forgot the baby!) and immigrated from Holland to Iowa. I really like her story as it can kind of help me to see what my ancestors went through!
 
4. Molly McIntire (1944).
 
 
 
(My picture, do not steal).
 
I used to hate Molly as well. Her red themed collection hurt my eyes and her movie was more popular than Samantha's. I didn't even like her movie all that much.
Then I took a class on World War Two and fell in love with the time period. I gave Molly another chance and she is now one of my favorites! She is soooo pretty and though her books and movie aren't perfect (the books aren't as well written as some of the others), they are still great to read if you are studying WWII and love AG Dolls! I don't even mind her red collection - and I'm horrified that American Girl retired her red pajamas!
 
3. Felicity Merriman (1774).
 
 
 
(My picture, do not steal).
 
I'm still upset that they retired Felicity. There was no reason to and she had one of the best and most important stories in our American history! Now there is no doll from the Revolutionary War.
I highly highly HIGHLY recommend Felicity and her collection. Not only are she and her outfits beautiful, her story is one of the best. It deals with the War for Independence, friendship, growing up, animals, family... Everything! With history weaved throughout it.
 
2. Kit Kittredge (1934).
 
 
 
(My picture, do not steal).
 
Kit is one of my favorites. Her stories are tied with Felicity's as my favorites. Kit lives during the Great Depression era. She loves to write newspaper articles and has lots of adventures with her friends. The doll itself it gorgeous, and her collection is fun and spunky.
 
1. Samantha Parkington (1904).
 
 

(My picture, do not steal).
 
Samantha. My first doll. Of course she's my favorite! She's a very pretty doll, though a bit plain. Her collection is Victorian and gorgeous. You can imagine how sad I was when she retired. Her books are full of fun characters and adventure. She has a special place in my heart and will always, always be my favorite.
 
So there you have it!
 
Live long and prosper!












2 comments:

  1. I love American Girl books but I've never had an American Girl doll before.
    Yes. Felicity, Kit, and Samantha are probably my favorites story-wise.

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  2. Samantha's my favorite too, especially her wardrobe. She's my only AG doll, and she still sits in her place on my desk.

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