Have you checked out American Girl recently? They just debuted their BeForever line this fall in stores nationwide as well as online and it has girls everywhere excited. We were at the Seattle store the day BeForever was announced to check the line out in person and do one of their many in-store crafts thanks to a recommendation from our personal shopper. I honestly had no idea what to expect and was just going for the craft and event aspect, but I was thrilled when I realized what exactly the new line included.
It’s no secret that we love American Girl and I always talk about how we end up at the Seattle store whenever my daughter gets to choose what we do for the day. But what you don’t know is that we spend most of our time checking out the historical collection and looking at anything and everything that’s new for each of their historical girls.
This time we were met at the store by one of our favorite American Girl employees and told that the line was replaced, and I’m sure I didn’t hide my disappointment very well. She quickly went on to explain that the BeForever line still had many of the dolls we adore as well as a new addition she knew we would be thrilled about.
Friends, welcome back Samantha Parkington.
Like all girls of the 80s, Samantha was the one doll I wanted more than anything. I remember vividly the Christmas my cousin got Samantha and I got to see her in person for the first time ever. At the time there was no Seattle store and American Girl existed only in the glossy catalogues I would get a few times a year, so even being in Samantha’s presence was a very big deal. My cousin was generous enough to let me play with her, and I remember being amazed at all the little details that went into creating her outfit and accessories. But, she always went home with them at the end of the day, and I never quite got over saying goodbye, so I decided when I was young that if I ever had a daughter, I would buy her Samantha. Sadly, the world said goodbye to Samantha when she was retired by the brand before I could buy her for my daughter. I thought for sure Samantha would never be mine, I mean my daughter’s.
So, to see her from across the room displayed next to our beloved Kit made me feel like a kid again. I’m pretty sure I squealed in excitement, and I know for sure I ran to her.
When my daughter immediately declared her to be “THE most beautiful doll, ever”, I’m pretty sure I had tears in my eyes. Yes, my dear, she is the most beautiful doll, ever. In fact, I think she’s even more beautiful now than she was in the 80s. Like all of the new BeForever line, her clothes and accessories have been updated with this new launch. Although they are still historically correct, they have now been updated for this new generation. I must say that I’m glad I’m not in charge of things at American Girl, because if they had asked me I would have said they shouldn’t mess with perfection and I would have resisted the change. I would have told them that the historical "meet" outfits were perfectly fine, no re-launch necessary. But, of course, I was wrong. The new BeForever line includes all of the nostalgia of my childhood while still being new and exciting, which is exactly what the historical line needed to keep it relevant for this new generation of girls. Sometimes, in order for a tradition to continue, it must grow and change with each generation, and that’s exactly what it did – all without losing sight of what the line and the brand is truly about.
This isn’t a small feat, and I think American Girl pulled it together beautifully.
But, it’s not just the dolls and accessories that have been updated – the books have also been redone. Each BeForever character has a six-book series that have been reformatted into two novel-length classic volumes. To fit with the BeForever theme, they have also released all-new Journey titles that feature a girl from today who goes back in time to share page-turning adventures with the historical character in a choose-your-own-adventure fashion. Since my daughter is crazy about chapter books, I love that the BeForever series has given us a new book list to read together and learn even more about our favorite dolls. While some moms would sigh and moan about the fact that Kit, Josefina, Caroline, Rebecca, Addy, Julie, and Kaya now have new “meet” outfits, accessories, and books that our kids are undoubtedly going to want, I’m excited that those dolls are back in the spotlight again for a whole new group of girls to adore. I’ll plunk down some money to get the new meet outfits {which thankfully are becoming available through American Girl as they come in stock} and refresh my daughter’s beloved doll’s wardrobe as well as the books so we have even more opportunities to read together, and I will probably even splurge on the coordinating girl’s outfits as well at some point because they are so incredibly cute.
If you haven’t checked out the BeForever line, you should definitely head to American Girl to see them online or in person. With many of the beloved characters from our generation’s childhoods as well as newer characters that have been introduced in the past few years, it’s the perfect time to continue the tradition of American Girl with your child. The bonus is that you also get to experience it all over again, only this time it’s even more magical when you can see it all again through your child’s eyes.
And, now is the perfect time to share the tradition of American Girl with your daughter because now through December 18th, American Girl will donate one doll to a child in need for every doll purchased, which is sure to make a whole lot of kids' wishes come true this year.
And, now here's my chance to share with our fabulous readers because one of you is going to win your very own Samantha BeForever doll after the holidays – isn't that awesome? Enter below!
I too loved Samantha and wanted her so incredibly bad! These pics are absolutely precious!
My daughter is partial to Josefina. BTW, your pictures are fantastic!
If I had to choose, like you it would be Kit, but I know my daughter would love Julie. We spend hours looking at the catalog too! So excited ti see Samantha is back! She looks well loved!
Love Caroline or Julie. My daughter loves dolls that look similar to her.
We only have hand-me-down AGs, and my daughter adores them.
My daughter would love Rebecca or Josefina :-).
I love Rebecca! She’s adorable!
I never had an American Girl doll growing up, but my daughter has been begging for one. We have been looking at Kit because it looks the most like my daughter! 🙂
We love Julie and Rebecca!
my personal favorite is Julie! I just love her style and that era. Ellie turns 5 in February and we just might get her a doll. She loves her Bitty Baby but is definitely growing more interested in the older dolls with hair to style!
I vividly remember the excitement of finding a new glossy American Girl catalog in our mailbox, thoroughly pouring over each page and dreaming of what I would choose if I could. I had the box sets of 4 of the historical girls and a few of the Meet books of others, my favorites is Kit!!
I was never fortunate enough to play with one of the dolls as a child, and we never seemed to be in a city with their stores either…. Now though, I’m a mom to three lovely girls– and my love of the dolls as well as the brand seems to only have grown <3
Our oldest turns 12 in January, our middle daughter turns 4 in December.....
We're planning to take them to the nearest store (Atlanta) for a grand adventure (with a personal shopper) to select dolls for their birthdays!!
My sister had Samantha and Addy, I was partial to Molly and Kit though!
I like Rebecca. She looks the most like my daughter and I think her purple outfit is really cute.
I like Caroline. She’s so pretty!
Samantha was THE only doll I ever wanted (and never got). Coincidentally I named my daughter Samantha without even realizing the connection. I would LOVE to get her a Samantha doll!!!
Samantha was my favorite as a child! I was sooooo excited to see her back!
My favorite would be Samantha or Kaya
Kit is my favorite.
My favorite is Julie.
I loved Samantha and Molly growing up! i think my daughter would love Julie Albright
I love Molly, but my second favorite is Samantha
Isabelle is my favorite AG doll, but Samantha is my favorite BeForever girl
I love Kit
I’m a Samantha girl through and through, but if I had to pick another it would be Rebecca
I like Julie best
My daughter also likes Caroline.
Julie, because she looks a bit like my daughter.
I like Josefina
I like Julie Albright from the ’70’s.
My favorite is Addy Walker. Thanks for the giveaway!
My favorite is the Addy Walker. Thanks for the giveaway!
I also like Kit.
I would have to say Kit!!
I would like to get my daughter the Kit BeForever American Girl doll.
I like the Rebecca Rubin American Girl doll.
thank you
Our favorite is Rebecca
I think our Collette would like Julie Albright
I never had an American Girl doll growing up, but my daughter has Kit. She loves her doll! I’m glad Samantha is back. She’s is my favorite. There still a little girl heart in this mom. 😉
I love the Kitt doll she is so cute
I am crazy about Julie Albright and her mod clothes!
Oh I also really love Kit Kittredge!
I can’t get the Rafflecopter to load, ever since they changed it. 🙁 But would you please enter my name in your lovely giveaway, if it’s not over. Thank you so much!
we like Kaya. Thanks for hosting!
I love Kit the best, but my daughter really wants Samantha
I love Samantha best!
I adore Julie, but I really am excited Samantha is back!
I like Kaya
My favorite is Rebecca
I love Molly best and I’m so sad she’s retired!
My absolute fave is Kit (which we already have)
I like Josefina Montoya.
Addy Walker
I like Addy Walker.
My favorite is Kaya. It’s always been my daughter’s and my favorite.
We like Rebecca.
Of the dolls, I like Caroline.
I love Kaya!
Molly and Kit are favorites.
kport207 at gmail dot com
My favorite is Caroline!
my daughteer loves Molly
My favorite is Caroline Abbot. She reminds me of me as well as my two girls.
the kit kittridge one
My favorite is Julie Albright!
I love Rebecca my 7 year old daughter carly would be so thrilled
Julie Albright
My favorite is Addy.
I love the Caroline Abbott doll. She reminds me so much of my daughter.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I think my second favorite would be Julie.
I love Josefina!
i have to go with rebecca rubin though my fave was always kirsten growing up.
Besides Samantha, I like Rebecca Rubin. I think my daughter would love this!
My favorite doll is Kit.
I like Rebecca a lot.
Julie is my fav
I like the Rebecca Rubin doll. Thank you!!
We like Caroline. She’s adorable.
My favorite is Josefina Montoya.
I like Addy and Kaya
My favorite is Rebecca.
i think my daughter would love Rebecca the best
my daughter and I adore Julie
Rebecca is my favorite. They are all awesome!
Josefina has always been a favorite
I would like to have the Rebecca doll.
These look like beautiful dolls. My favorite is Rebecca and if I win, I’ll give her to my 8 year old granddaughter. Thanks!
I love Caroline and so does my daughters.
I really like Samantha! She is really pretty and my granddaughter would love her.
I like Caroline, love her hair especially!
Mr granddaughter would like Rebecca.
Josefina is my favorite.
Thank You for the giveaway… my daughter likes the Josefina doll.
American girls are for girls ages 8 and up. I would wait till your daughter is a little bit older