Question about the American Girl doll of the year 2012

[Jey12]

I admit I'm a mess when it comes to these American Girl dolls. I was a total tomboy as a kid and have no clue when it comes to dolls and the things that go along with them. DD5 has an AG doll that we bought used last year, mainly for her to have in her dance recital. She has fallen in love with this doll and has asked if she could have a friend. We have a local AG store that just opened last year and the amount of little girls with these dolls seems to have multiplied overnight, so there's no avoiding it.

Right now DD is interested in having a friend for her doll Josefina, and has expressed interest in either Kaya or Julie. She most recently added Kanani to that list, but the doll is sold out in the store locally and backordered on the AG site online. Plus I really don't want to mess with the long hair she has anyway, so that's going to work out just fine. I've read a few places that the doll of the year for 2012 is going to be a gymnast? DD will be 6 in Jan. and this would be a great gift for her if this is true. She's on gym team and loves everything gymnastics. When does AG release more information about the doll of the year? Is it not until Jan. 1st? I had originally planned on having a new AG doll for her under the tree for Christmas but if the 2012 GOTY is going to really be a gymnast doll with a matching movie and book I would prefer to wait until her birthday. Also are the accessories and other things for the GOTY available right at the first of the year as well? If so I can suggest to grandparents and aunts that she'd like those items for her birthday when they ask.

 

[ktlm]

I've seen some pretty heavy indications that she will be a gymnast across the internet. For example, AG is sponsoring the 2012 IGI Chicago Style Gymnastics Meet in February 2012, and will be giving away 9 dolls at that meet (although I think they sponsored last year too). There is an AG movie being filmed this fall and there are pictures of Cathy Rigby on set, and it is clear it is a gymnastics movie (news reports of them using extras from gymnastics teams etc.) Rumor has it AG wanted to do a gymnast because it was an Olympic year. Rumor is her backstory is that she is an Olympic hopeful who gets injured and can not compete, and she has to learn that there are things in life much more important than gymnastics. Her name is supposedly going to be McKenna.

I also find it interesting that AG has this little section on their website, but I don't know how old it is as nothing seems to be dated:

http://www.americangirl.com/gymnast/kayla1.html

Nobody knows for sure though. I would be surprised if she is anything but a gymnast, but it could happen. As far as I know, AG won't announce her identity until January 1. As soon as they announce her, she should be available for sale and all her accessories etc. should too. Their website calendar for the January 1 announcement in stores also has some indications she will be a gymnast. Here is the language they use:

January 1, 2012

10:00 a.m.
Girl of the Year 2012 Debut

Your girl will flip for our newest Girl of the Year! At this special event, she can be among the first to learn about this new character’s world. Join us for demonstrations, crafts, free giveaways, and more. Learn More


2:30 p.m.

Girl of the Year 2012 Celebration

She’ll do cartwheels for our Girl of the Year 2012! At this special event, your girl can be one of the first to learn about the newest contemporary character. Includes a delicious meal, fun activities, and an American Girl book to take home. Learn More

 

[dragonfly08]

I, too, have heard a lot about the new GOTY being a gymnast. But nothing is sure until she's unveiled on 1/1/12. I know our store (I'm in the DC area) is having a big event that day.

Maybe a certificate or gift card, promising a shopping trip in January to buy the doll? Adding lunch at the cafe/bistro to go with it would go over well with my DDs, I know.

Now if only we can get a Tae Kwon Do/martial arts outfit for my DD, I'd be in heaven!

 

[ktlm]

I just did an internet search to see if I could find any more information.
Looks like at least one of the rumors is true. It was announced on the American Girl 25th Anniversary cruise Thanksgiving week that the 2012 AG doll of the year's name is in fact McKenna; however, no other details were released:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAbNu0sWtWo&hd=1

Also, these are the supposedly recently released official book summaries. I have no idea if they are really "official", or if they are accurate, but it seems to fit pretty well with all the other rumors that have been circling the last couple of months:

Book Summaries:

McKenna

Ten-year-old McKenna is ready to start fourth grade, but when she begins to fall behind in school, McKenna's teacher suggests she should get help from a tutor and with encouragement from Josie, a confident girl in a wheelchair, McKenna manages to regain confidence in her abilities.

Book 2

After McKenna suffers an injury that causes her to worry about her place on the Shooting Star competitive gymnastics team, she tries to help her tutor, Josie, overcome her fear of horseback riding, but as McKenna and Josie become closer friends, one of McKenna's teammates gets jealous of their close friendship.

 

[ktlm]

Now if only we can get a Tae Kwon Do/martial arts outfit for my DD, I'd be in heaven!

Hey Dragonfly, will Karate do?

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...+outfit&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

 

[dragonfly08]

Hey Dragonfly, will Karate do?

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...+outfit&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

Wow! I never even thought to check Ebay...thanks!

 

[Jey12]

Thank you for the great information! I think I will take the chance and just wait and see what the first of the year brings. If the GOTY is not a gymnast or something DD is interested in at least Kaya and Julie will still be available. If the GOTY doll is a gymnast it would be perfect for the theme of DD's birthday party since we are having it at her gym.

One other question. Any chance AG will ever modify or add new selections to their My American Girl dolls? So far Josefina is the only doll they offer that looks anything like DD. I'm a bit frustrated with the selection offered as far as skin tones and hair options for their like me dolls. One wouldn't think finding a doll at AG with medium skin, brown eyes and straight (non textured) black hair wouldn't be that hard?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

It's not a doll under the tree but what about a AG gift card - you can explain the 2012 doll and if she wants her she'll wait till 1/1/12 to order or she could use it for a different doll.

 

[Jey12]

It's not a doll under the tree but what about a AG gift card - you can explain the 2012 doll and if she wants her she'll wait till 1/1/12 to order or she could use it for a different doll.

I considered this, but because her birthday is so close to Christmas I can just switch around the gifts. She'll never know. I wish the AG store locally had a little bistro place. That sounds like a lot of fun. The choices for us near the AG store are Five Guys and Noodles and Co. Not that they are horrible, but not quite the AG bistro experience. Our store isn't even showing that they are doing anything for the release of the new doll. Since her party is going to be at the gym DD goes to if the GOTY is a gymnast this will be just perfect.

 

[Lesley]

Check your local bookstores, or see if you know someone who works in one. Last year I worked for a large bookstore and discovered that the girl of the year book for 2011 was put out on the shelves in December. I don't think it was supposed to be. I found out about Kanani before Christmas....was a big thrill for my daughter because she loves all things Hawaiian.

Seems my older dd probably won't be interested in the girl of the year, but if she is a gymnast my younger dd will probably want her!

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Here is the actress playing McKenna in the new movie. Maybe this gives us some clue what she looks like...

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3167464/

We are also waiting for the GOTY 2012, DD loves Kanani's accessories, but not Kanani! If she doesn't want McKenna then she will just get a non-historical doll (she already has Kit). Still kicking myself we didn't get Lanie since DD has blonde curly hair.

 

[kathyoffl]

Thanks for the info.

My niece is taking gymnastics for the past 2 years.
She is 9 yrs old.

Is this a good age to start American Girls?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I considered this, but because her birthday is so close to Christmas I can just switch around the gifts. She'll never know. I wish the AG store locally had a little bistro place. That sounds like a lot of fun. The choices for us near the AG store are Five Guys and Noodles and Co. Not that they are horrible, but not quite the AG bistro experience. Our store isn't even showing that they are doing anything for the release of the new doll. Since her party is going to be at the gym DD goes to if the GOTY is a gymnast this will be just perfect.

Poor you the nearest AG store to us is Denver - 8 hours away We really need to visit the kids cousins, aunt & uncle in Denver *3 boys but there gonna be 45 minutes away for the last 2 weeks of December

 

[ktlm]

Thanks for the info.

My niece is taking gymnastics for the past 2 years.
She is 9 yrs old.

Is this a good age to start American Girls?

It probably depends on your niece. My niece is 9, and she is pretty much over American Girl dolls now. It was all she asked for from the time she was 4 to the time she was 8, but once she hit 9 AG stuff completely dropped from her list.

 

[Jey12]

Check your local bookstores, or see if you know someone who works in one. Last year I worked for a large bookstore and discovered that the girl of the year book for 2011 was put out on the shelves in December. I don't think it was supposed to be. I found out about Kanani before Christmas....was a big thrill for my daughter because she loves all things Hawaiian.

Seems my older dd probably won't be interested in the girl of the year, but if she is a gymnast my younger dd will probably want her!

Thanks for the tip, the book is available to preorder through amazon. I'll keep checking there and also when we are Barnes and Noble, it just happens to be right next door to the AG store.

Thanks for the info.

My niece is taking gymnastics for the past 2 years.
She is 9 yrs old.

Is this a good age to start American Girls?

I think it would depend on your niece as well. DD is 5 and I figure we have a few years of doll play so she'll get plenty of use and fun out of these dolls. I know most of the girls in her gradeschool are AG fans and that goes up to grade 6, although I'm not sure how popular AG dolls are for the upper grades of 5th and 6th? I've seen a few going in and out of the school with the older kids. I never played with dolls so there wouldn't have ever been a good age for me to have one. It all depends on the kid. If you niece plays with other dolls then she might like to have the gymnast one at least?

Poor you the nearest AG store to us is Denver - 8 hours away We really need to visit the kids cousins, aunt & uncle in Denver *3 boys but there gonna be 45 minutes away for the last 2 weeks of December

Ah see I'm envious of you. If you're 8 hours away from Denver then you must have pretty scenery to look at! I'm stuck with flat land for miles.

 

[dragonfly08]

Thanks for the info.

My niece is taking gymnastics for the past 2 years.
She is 9 yrs old.

Is this a good age to start American Girls?

Probably.

FWIW, my oldest is now 8 and has had an AG doll since she was 3. She now has three of them. DD #2 is 5 and got her first AG doll at 3 and her second at 4. They'd love more, but I think five in one house is more than enough for anybody!

 

[neatokimmo]

So based on the actress, GOTY 2012 will be blonde hair blue eyed? If so that is disappointing.

 

[Kimberly Hill]

Still waiting for an Asian doll, either historical or Girl of the Year. I know about Ivy but my DD wants one with her own story, not just a supporting role in someone else's.

 

[neatokimmo]

Still waiting for an Asian doll, either historical or Girl of the Year. I know about Ivy but my DD wants one with her own story, not just a supporting role in someone else's.

I'd be happy with a just like me doll that is Asian. Like an Ivy but with better hair.

 

[Jey12]

So based on the actress, GOTY 2012 will be blonde hair blue eyed? If so that is disappointing.

I agree. I think AG really lacks in a variety of dolls that represent real American Girls. I would love to see more variety in the like me dolls that have a medium skin with nice hair. I wish AG would take a look at real American Girls and properly represent and carry a doll for girls of every skin and hair color. If it wasn't for the gymnastic theme of the new doll we probably wouldn't be getting her.