American Girl Melody Ellison release photos/info

[eclaires]

AG had a spot on CBS this morning about the new doll.  The link has a lot of pictures.    She looks cute.  Scarlett and I have her first book already and we will be starting it soon (we'd started the new Lea Clark book and Mary Ellen's book before we got the Melody book).

But my favorite part so far?  SHE HAS A RECORDING STUDIO.  I am sure it will be stupid expensive, but Scarlett will lose her shit.  She's currently obsessed with Motown music anyway, so we're counting down the days until Melody.  I don't know if I'll be able to stomach the cost of a recording studio, no matter how cool it is...


www.cbsnews.com/news/american-girl-30th-anniversary-debuts-third-african-american-historical-doll-melody-ellison/


American Girl is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Since 1986, the business has sold more than 29 million dolls and more than 153 million books.



This summer, it will release a new historical doll. CBS News went where no cameras have been allowed before -- inside the design studio to get the first exclusive look at Melody, the company's third African American doll in its BeForever historical line.



For the last 30 years, American Girl dolls have brought countless smiles to faces of little girls.


"I think it's that we stayed true to our mission and purpose and while it's easy to call us a doll company, we've always seen ourselves as storytellers," said Julia Prohaska, vice president of marketing.



Prohaska said their dolls come with books that tap into imaginations, while providing a rich history lesson.



"We put at the center stories and advice for girls that really are intended to help them be their personal best," Prohaska said.



Those stories include Kaya's - a Native American doll who wants to become a leader for her people and Addy's, a child slave who escaped to freedom.



"I think the doll industry has a very heavy responsibility in reflecting what is true about our society," Prohaska said.



But in 2014, the company was criticized for discontinuing four characters. Two were minorities - African American Cecile Rey and Chinese-American Ivy Ling. In the last 30 years, American Girl has designed over 20 character dolls, but only three of them have been African American, reports CBS News correspondent Jericka Duncan.

"When we launched Addy, the universal feeling was that we needed to address the very difficult topic of slavery before we addressed any other experience in black history," Prohaska explained.


This summer, American Girl is addressing another chapter of black history with the release of Melody Ellison. Melody is a nine-year-old growing up in Detroit during the 1960s civil rights era, a girl who loves to sing and uses her voice to make a difference.



Melody is representative of arguably one of the most important periods for African Americans in U.S. history. Responding to why the character is only being introduced now in 2016, Prohaska said, "We do approach every character very thoughtfully so this isn't something we rush into. We're not looking to address critical demand -- we're looking to tell stories in the most authentic and genuine way that we possibly can."




Clinical psychologist Dr. Sharlene Jackson supports what American Girl is doing, but stresses the importance of seeing more modern stories for African American dolls.



"As we encourage our children to learn about their history, we want also to teach them and show them that who they are right now in 2016 is fabulous as well," Jackson said.



Mark Speltz is the senior historian who helped develop Melody's story.



"When we learn about the civil rights movement, we learn about a handful of really important people. But the movement was... driven by average, ordinary Americans, like Melody," Speltz said.

To ensure her story was authentic, American Girl formed a six-panel advisory board made up of historians and educators, including the late civil rights activist Julian Bond.

Lead designer Heather Northrop and her team worked with the board to bring Melody's story to life. When it came to choosing her hair, Northrop said she consulted the panel several times to get the texture right. Melody even has her own bed and recording studio that plays music from Motown.

To build and keep interest in a company that has seen annual sales drop over nine percent since 2013, American Girl launched a new campaign last year, encouraging girls to take a pledge to empower each other and American Girl, so it will be around for another 30 years. So far, over 50,000 have signed on.



Melody will be available in stores late this summer. Her price tag is $115, but if you also want the recording studio and all the rest of her accessories, that will set you back nearly $900.

[isabel]

$900!?!?

[eclaires]

Feb 22, 2016 15:54:56 GMT -5 isabel said:

$900!?!?

That's everything... clothes, bed, accessories, giant recording studio which is probably several hundred dollars.  She also has some other furniture pieces - table and chairs set.  

But yes, expensive.

[mominatrix]

I thought this was old news.

Like, DD saw the cover of the book a while ago, and declared that she wanted the doll because she's pretty.



...but, alas, she's not the next one she wants. No, that would be Julie. Because of her fantastic 70's wardrobe. Although, my guess is Melody's wardrobe is pretty fantastic, too.

[ttt]

Feb 22, 2016 17:38:41 GMT -5 mominatrix said:

I thought this was old news.

Like, DD saw the cover of the book a while ago, and declared that she wanted the doll because she's pretty.



...but, alas, she's not the next one she wants. No, that would be Julie. Because of her fantastic 70's wardrobe. Although, my guess is Melody's wardrobe is pretty fantastic, too.

The first book was already out but today was the first reveal of the doll itself. She's not actually available for purchase yet, though - I think this summer?

She is so cute




ETA this dress!

[threejs]

My dd has 4 AG dolls already (all purchased by grandparents). I'm not going to be able to resist getting this one for her, though. The dress, the gloves, the hair, remind me SO much of pics of my Mom from the 60s. Love!!!

[mominatrix]

OMG, the HAT!

[Michelle]

My friend texted me a few weeks ago about the book, about to pee her pants with excitement (well I would pee mine... she may have a stronger bladder). She is DD's BFF's mom (call her H). H's mom, who we call G-Ma, marched with Dr. King and was one of the group of Black teachers to open desegregated schools in Kansas. We can't wait for Melody to come out - G-Ma and her granddaughter are already enjoying the books and G-Ma tells the girls all about her life in the 50s and 60s.

My friend said she will get Melody and I am sure my DD will want her too. She has always wanted "orange" (and later peach) and brown dolls so she can pretend they are her and her friend.

eclaires, I got Carolyn's boat for half off one year - it was an AG December 1-day promotion. Every year they alternate items for sale in December for slashed rates - you have to watch every day. It was still a ridiculous price, but she loves that damn sailboat.

[eclaires]

Feb 22, 2016 17:38:41 GMT -5 mominatrix said:

I thought this was old news.

Like, DD saw the cover of the book a while ago, and declared that she wanted the doll because she's pretty.



...but, alas, she's not the next one she wants. No, that would be Julie. Because of her fantastic 70's wardrobe. Although, my guess is Melody's wardrobe is pretty fantastic, too.

All the photos released are of the doll and her actual stuff. The book has been out with the cover leaked since before January. But all the pics at the link are brand new.

[eclaires]

Feb 22, 2016 18:13:30 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

I'm reading her book now. The address real race issues, head on, in a meaningful way. I've been pleasantly surprised. I love Melody so much. I actually cried when stuff was leaked over the holidays. It's not just me that's excited. Our whole household ( the girls, Mr.Kirkette, grandma, nana, and poppa) is stoked.
We're prepared to buy everything, so Melody's sales rise, and AG gets the message and sales justification, to continue to invest and develop more dolls of color.

We're not about to let the girls have Addy, because fuck the one note slave narrative.
Cecile is in my closet for Baby V, when she turns older.

We also have Josefina, Samantha, and a couple of Bitty Babies that look like each daughter.

I'm glad you are liking the book! I'm excited to start it but Scarlett and I reading together is slow going since she's 5, lol. I thought about reading it myself first but it's been fun as we've read the books that are new to me to experience them for the first time together. Like it was fun to share my Samantha books with her that I already knew but this has been cool too.

We plan to do our part to make sure her sales are high. I'm hoping to time our summer DC visit with her release date so we can buy her in store.

[irishbride2]

So DD has 12 American Girl dolls (She has received two from grandparents, we have my 3 from when I was a kid, and then my aunt purged all of their dolls from their 7 kids and gave them all to DD). I have vowed to never get another AGD....but this will be hard to pass up.

[bronxgirl]

I think she looks so awesome. I want to get her and all her clothes and accessories. I would have hours of fun playing with her recording studio. I don't even mean for DD, I want her for myself. Now I need to start a gofundme to raise the $900. :-)

[bronxgirl]

Feb 22, 2016 19:24:11 GMT -5 @246baje said:

Are the historical dolls limited editions like will it go away and I have to buy it now?

Because I totally will if they are.

No, they're not limited edition. She'll be around for a long time, as long as she sells well, which I anticipate she will.

[SJ]

I am so excited! I love the historical dolls and her style and story are excellent.

I have had a BB stashed for a while for DD's 2nd birthday.

[abs]

Pretty sure it will take about 12 seconds for Melody to outsell Lea on her release day. She looks amazing.

[cinco]

My 9 year old said she didn't want any more AG dolls, but after reading the first book she wants Melody for her birthday in August. I read the book and thought it was well done.

[ttt]

The recording studio is Too. Much!

[spunkarella]

I love her, especially that pink outfit!

[EloiseWeenie]

Amelia really wants Melody. She is super picky about her dolls, and I'm so excited she wants her. She has Caroline and Maryellen, and as soon as she saw the cover of the Melody book, she said she wanted her. I'm bummed it said she'll be out late summer, since we'll be in GA in June- and may make a trip to Atlanta to go to the AG store. Her birthday is in October, so I'm sure she'll get her.

[mominatrix]

Feb 22, 2016 21:00:49 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Feb 22, 2016 19:24:11 GMT -5 @246baje said:

Are the historical dolls limited editions like will it go away and I have to buy it now?

Because I totally will if they are.

It depends on sales. 
Addy the curious brave slave, has been around for 23 years. That's right, 23 years of the sad  as shit slave narrative, and unfancy accessories. She has the full 6 traditional books of old, and some Be Forever stories as well. White moms tend to love Addy, as it's usually their kids' first black doll. As eveyrone's first black friend, I'm not amused by Addy at all.  
 

Cecile Ray, an extremely bright and refined, girl of color, from a well to do family, didn't even get her own line. She was a half-assed "friend", to Marie-Grace Gardner. Initially, in Cecile's 3 books (Marie-Grace received the other 3), she wanted nothing to do with Marie-Grace's white nonsense. Side kick Cecile, was shelved after 3 years.  I think Marie-Grace may have been as well. Anyway, it was the quickest pulled product in AG history. I believe AG cited poor sales as their reasoning. Kirkettex's tin foil hat says   . 

I pray it is coincidence, but we'll never know. 

Buy Melody this summer (July?) when she comes out. Send a message that, like with the new Barbie, Mattel is on the right path. 

was it?

DD has Caroline, and it seemed like she went from "NEW" to pulled with quickness.

[eclaires]

Feb 22, 2016 21:00:49 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Feb 22, 2016 19:24:11 GMT -5 @246baje said:

Are the historical dolls limited editions like will it go away and I have to buy it now?

Because I totally will if they are.

It depends on sales. 
Addy the curious brave slave, has been around for 23 years. That's right, 23 years of the sad  as shit slave narrative, and unfancy accessories. She has the full 6 traditional books of old, and some Be Forever stories as well. White moms tend to love Addy, as it's usually their kids' first black doll. As eveyrone's first black friend, I'm not amused by Addy at all.  
 

Cecile Ray, an extremely bright and refined, girl of color, from a well to do family, didn't even get her own line. She was a half-assed "friend", to Marie-Grace Gardner. Initially, in Cecile's 3 books (Marie-Grace received the other 3), she wanted nothing to do with Marie-Grace's white nonsense. Side kick Cecile, was shelved after 3 years.  I think Marie-Grace may have been as well. Anyway, it was the quickest pulled product in AG history. I believe AG cited poor sales as their reasoning. Kirkettex's tin foil hat says   . 

I pray it is coincidence, but we'll never know. 

Buy Melody this summer (July?) when she comes out. Send a message that, like with the new Barbie, Mattel is on the right path. 

Marie Grace was retired at the same time. You couldn't hardly give those dolls away. They were selling them for $50 at one point because that's when I got them. I loved their time period and stuff but I think the whole split line was a big fat fail for a variety of reasons. It just didn't work how they wanted it too. They also ditched the friend dolls shortly after. It was all strange. I didn't end up collecting the whole collection but got both dolls. I actually pulled out MG's pin curls, undid her braids and flat ironed it to just make her a modern doll. Doll pin curls are pretty ugly, so I couldn't resist. MG is a beautiful doll but that hair style was heinous. Cecile is also a beautiful doll, and her hair is actually lovely. I just didn't have the time to collect their collection, but I wish I had.

I'm surprised Addy has stayed around as long as she has; probably because she's the only black historical doll. Speculation is she will be archived next.

[ttt]

Feb 22, 2016 21:06:21 GMT -5 mominatrix said:

Feb 22, 2016 21:00:49 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

It depends on sales. 
Addy the curious brave slave, has been around for 23 years. That's right, 23 years of the sad  as shit slave narrative, and unfancy accessories. She has the full 6 traditional books of old, and some Be Forever stories as well. White moms tend to love Addy, as it's usually their kids' first black doll. As eveyrone's first black friend, I'm not amused by Addy at all.  
 

Cecile Ray, an extremely bright and refined, girl of color, from a well to do family, didn't even get her own line. She was a half-assed "friend", to Marie-Grace Gardner. Initially, in Cecile's 3 books (Marie-Grace received the other 3), she wanted nothing to do with Marie-Grace's white nonsense. Side kick Cecile, was shelved after 3 years.  I think Marie-Grace may have been as well. Anyway, it was the quickest pulled product in AG history. I believe AG cited poor sales as their reasoning. Kirkettex's tin foil hat says   . 

I pray it is coincidence, but we'll never know. 

Buy Melody this summer (July?) when she comes out. Send a message that, like with the new Barbie, Mattel is on the right path. 

was it?

DD has Caroline, and it seemed like she went from "NEW" to pulled with quickness.

They both got about 3 years. I think they did a very poor job marketing both of them, then they turn around and say "oh well, low sales." 

[eclaires]

Caroline also had a short stint and sold terribly. Again bad hair, and a collection that just didn't resonate for some reason.

Scarlett was two when Caroline came out so I think she was slightly longer. And she never sold for $50.

[ttt]

Feb 22, 2016 21:02:10 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Feb 22, 2016 19:05:15 GMT -5 @stilljustash said:

i can't tell you how sad young me was to get that stupid gourd, a penny, and that sad piece of sackcloth. samantha was so FANCY and had all the best dresses!!

THE WORST. 

In terms of fanciness, Cecile was Black Samantha. RIP Cecile  (wilted) . 

Her stuff was gorgeous. I think that parlor desk is one of the most interesting and beautiful pieces they've ever made. I kind of want one of them for myself. 

[ttt]

Feb 22, 2016 21:30:11 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Feb 22, 2016 21:12:16 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Marie Grace was retired at the same time. You couldn't hardly give those dolls away. They were selling them for $50 at one point because that's when I got them. I loved their time period and stuff but I think the whole split line was a big fat fail for a variety of reasons. It just didn't work how they wanted it too. They also ditched the friend dolls shortly after. It was all strange. I didn't end up collecting the whole collection but got both dolls. I actually pulled out MG's pin curls, undid her braids and flat ironed it to just make her a modern doll. Doll pin curls are pretty ugly, so I couldn't resist. MG is a beautiful doll but that hair style was heinous. Cecile is also a beautiful doll, and her hair is actually lovely. I just didn't have the time to collect their collection, but I wish I had.

I'm surprised Addy has stayed around as long as she has; probably because she's the only black historical doll. Speculation is she will be archived next.

That's when I got Cecile too. 
The friends line was an epic fail, but I still give it a huge side eye. 
Addy should be retired. She's the 5th one, in the collection. So, she's due. 

I'm still pissed they are selling Hippie Julie's ass, but Ivy Ling got the shaft. Ivy's story was far more interesting. 
Seriously, AG take a risk and make a true Asian American Historical Doll. How hard is it to tease out a story line about Japanese Internment Camp, an it's effects? It could even be about an Asian American girl wanting to play in the Japanese Internment Camp Baseball League, or something. AG is being super lazy on this one. 

According to the rumor mill, there is a 1980s-era Vietnamese-American character in the works. 

[ttt]

Feb 22, 2016 21:35:24 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Feb 22, 2016 21:33:34 GMT -5 ttt said:

According to the rumor mill, there is a 1980s-era Vietnamese-American character in the works. 

OMG, is she from Orange County!  Our Little Saigon is one of the largest in the nation.  Please say yes. We'll buy all her shit too! 

I wish I knew! That's all that's come out so far, and it's still a rumor. But it would be awesome, and I would be physically unable to stop myself from buying a tiny doll-sized Trapper Keeper. 

[bugandbibs]

Feb 22, 2016 21:35:24 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Feb 22, 2016 21:33:34 GMT -5 ttt said:

According to the rumor mill, there is a 1980s-era Vietnamese-American character in the works. 

OMG, is she from Orange County!  Our Little Saigon is one of the largest in the nation.  Please say yes. We'll buy all her shit too! 

If they do an Asian doll I will sell a kidney to buy it. If it were in our budget, I'd buy Melody too. We will buy the book though and if they do a Costco set I will buy that too.

[sewpinkgal]

There are very few moments when I'm bummed I don't have a daughter and the AG dolls are one of them. I wanted those dolls SO bad when I was a kid, but it just was not in the budget. Didn't stop me from pouring over the catalogues though.

I would love an opportunity to buy them now that I'm an adult and we do have room in the budget, but my boys are completely uninterested. I'll just live vicariously through all of your posts instead. Melody is adorable! I really hope she does well and they continue to diversify their line. I heard for years from my old CWs about being disappointed that there weren't more dolls that looked like their girls (mostly Asian, though I got the impression they would have been happy with ANY non-white doll with a great story line).

[sewpinkgal]

@kirkette - I would love that!! I sneak in there on the rare times we're at The Grove and H just shakes his head at me and says "It's really good for our bank account that we don't have daughters." Heh

[mominatrix]

Feb 22, 2016 21:13:45 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Caroline also had a short stint and sold terribly. Again bad hair, and a collection that just didn't resonate for some reason.

Scarlett was two when Caroline came out so I think she was slightly longer. And she never sold for $50.

She was at Costco for 80 before Christmas...

But yeah. When we got her at the store it was all "are you sure? Her hair is so hard!"... But DD had saved her allowance, and wanted her. I think because of her eye color, which is this blue - green I think no other one has, and it just so happens to match DD's