Please help with American Girl dolls

[Pamomof3]

I was wondering if someone could please help me, I will be going to the American Girl store in NYC and I will be getting my daughter her first American Girl doll for her 8th birthday. I need to know what would be a good starter doll for her, any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

I would ask her - maybe go to the library and read the books to see which interests her. My youngest wanted one that looked similar to her and my oldest wanted Felicity because she enjoyed her books

 

[LisaMommy]

How old is your DD? For younger girls I'd recommend a doll with short, easy to care for hair, such as Kit, Emily or one of the "Just Like You" dolls. Does she want one with a story, or one that she can make up the story for? If she wants one with a story, I agree to go to the library and read through the books. If she would like one of the "Just Like You" dolls, see if she wants one that looks like her, or a completely new character. When there, be prepared to walk out with more than planned. Most of all, have fun! You'll be creating lots of memories that your DD will treasure.

 

[mjkacmom]

When dd was that age, she picked on doll based on the books. Kit resembled her, so I assumed she'd want that one, but she looked at me like I had two heads, stating she really didn't love her character, and got Molly instead.

 

[lindsmom]

DD picked Josefina out of the catalog, which surprised me - she thought she was the most beautiful, which I was very happy about. However, like a PP mentioned, her hair is a NIGHTMARE! Kit's hair is much easier, and would make an easier starter doll.

Also there are 4 movies out (well, one is Samantha, who is retired, so really 3 movies) that tell the stories of the historical dolls as well - Felicity, Molly, and Kit. Also Chrissa (doll of the year 2009) has a movie coming out as well.

 

[lady9]

I agree with PP about getting some books and reading about the characters. Then your DD can choose which one she likes best. My DD has Molly (long hair) and Kit (short hair). We bought the doll hair brush from AG. Kit's hair is easy to brush. For Molly's hair, I brush it in small sections and it looks fine. Mostly she keeps Molly's hair in braids which helps. My DD was 6 when she got Molly so I don't think your DD needs a "starter" doll. As a tip, I cleared out one of the small drawers in my DDs dresser to keep all the AG clothes and accessories. My DD is fairly responsible about putting the clothes away neatly now that she has a place for them not at the bottom of the toy box!

 

[tchrrx]

My DD received her first AG doll for Christmas. She got Kit. Kit was chosen b/c I think she's cute and I thought that the books and movie connection would keep DD more interested in her.

As far as storage goes, I cut a small dowel rod in half & then used ribbon to tie it on each end to the pole in DD's closet. Now she can hang her AG clothes on the hangers in her closet. Plus, I left a little room at the end of the dowel rod so that her purses & bags can hang too.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

8 is a great age. That's when each of my DD's got theirs. I let mine each go through the catalog for a few weeks since it shows all the dolls and then they made their choices.

Have fun. The lunch is nice if you can book it too.

Hope that helps!

 

[mommyrants]

My daughter picked Mia out of the catalog. Grandma surprised both of us with the "Doll that looks like you". You might want to call and have them send you the catalog - you can read about each girl and she can have an idea of what she'd like. This got my daughter very interested.

 

[princesspiglet]

My DD6 just got Molly for Christmas this year. So far, she loves her and takes very good care of her. I had her go through the catalog back in August and told her to pick her top 3. I then decided which one to get out of her top 3 because I wanted it to be a suprise. I chose Molly because she wears glasses, like DD, and her father is in the army and goes to war, just like DH. So I thought she would relate to Molly better.

I bought a few outfits for her at Target and also bought her the bed at Target. She sleeps beside DD's bed. I also got, through AG, the Molly book collection and she reads a few chapters of that every day.

Regarding hair, we brush Molly's out every night at bedtime, then I braid it in the morning and it is in great shape.

 

[pigltlvr]

My daughter has Kit and Ruthie. She loves playing with both of them. She chose Kit because it had a story behind her and she looks like Kit. For storage we have an over the door shoe organizer and AG's dress organizer. We love both!

 

[tanyaandallie]

At her age any of the dolls would be awesome! I'd let her choose!!!

With all this talk about the hair I'm a bit worried. My dd wants Julie and I told her if she can show me she is responsible enough to take care of her between now and her birthday I would get her. But Julie has a ton of hair!

 

[miprender]

My DD picked hers out of the catalog when she was 4. She got one of the non history ones and was able to pick her out on other pages too!!!

 

[shmoogrrrl]

I was wondering if someone could please help me, I will be going to the American Girl store in NYC and I will be getting my daughter her first American Girl doll for her 8th birthday. I need to know what would be a good starter doll for her, any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

We got our daughter Felicity because we live in Virginia and she is from Williamsburg. I really like Molly best, but we were trying to have a baby at the time and if the baby was a girl her name would have been Molly so we thought that would be odd. We had a boy anyway, but my girl loves Felicity!

 

[melancholywings]

DD has Felicity (I found her perfect at a thrift store for $3!), Elizabeth and a just like me doll. I love the historicals because of the theme and they have their own little section in the catalog. But I've been a bit disappointed with the books - I think DD relates more to the Little House books.

 

[angiejg]

DD's first doll was Josephina because she liked her books the best at the time. And she is gorgeous. We now have 7 dolls. She receives them on birthdays and Christmas and has always had one in mind that she wants next based on the stories more than their looks. She only collects the historical ones though. We don't have any of the others.

We love them all. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Princess Pudding Pop]

As for storage I bought this for her doll clothes since I wanted my dresser drawer back.. Yes mine! Anyways this storage closet is really nice for under $40 i think at target/

I bought my daughter her 1st doll when she was 2 - bitty baby, at 3yrs old she picked out Emily, and this year all she talked abuot was Ruthie so Santa brought that too her.

Funny how she picked those dolls as they really do have a special significance

Emily 1944- both my parents born that year
Ruthie 1933 - If this doll is a 9yr old girl in 1933 my grandma wouldbe been 10 and it looks like my grandma.
So little things like that make it special. I didnt not pick the dolls my dd did.

I bought Nicki a yr ago but after seeing how bad Emilys hair gets I have not shown my daughter this doll and is still in the box up in the closet.

I bought Molly super cheap on ebay couldnt pass the deal up so that will be her b-day present in March. She will be 5. SHe loves her too.

Watch the movies, I was surprised how good they were and more surprised how much my 4yr likes them. SOmetime I wonder if she is reincarnated from the 30's/40's era. she seems to like things from this time period lol

 

[mom2princessj]

My dd 5 has several (7 dolls I think). We got the bitty baby first and she still plays with her now and then.

I agree about the hair...long hair is a pain. We have a few of the just like me dolls, felicity, kit, nicki (hers is the worst stay away from curly hair), and mia. I actually like Kit best because of her hair. We'll be getting Chrissa very soon. AG is addictive

For storage I use the 3 or 4 drawer systems (like a filing cabinet put plastic) for all the clothes and accessories. The dolls have bunk beds and other furniture that they hang out on while dd sleeps.

I think you should get the catalog or go on the website and let her pick. Or at least let her familiarize herself with the dolls then go to the store and pick. Going to the store is a blast. We live near Chicago and go AT LEAST one time per year or more (usually more). There's alot to see and do. Have a great time!

 

[Fionasmommy]

DD7 just got her first AG for Christmas! She picked it out of the catalog - a Just Like You doll that really does look just like her. She LOVES it, even more than I thought she would. Her doll does have long hair, but that's Fiona's favorite part. I also got her the AG doll hair book at Barnes & Noble that comes with a brush, and she's been doing the dolls hair every day.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

If you've never been to the AG hair salon...I wanted to share a hair care tip. They wet the hair (slightly) and brush it with their own brush and then brush it again with a golf ball brush!!! The golf ball brush works way better than their brush and make the hair shiny again.

At 8, I wouldn't worry too much about hair care...my 5 year old is able to care for the hair on hers just fine. I definately would suggest letting her get whatever doll she wants.