What's going on...
WIth the new American Girl movie coming out, boasting an ensemble cast and starring Abigail Breslin, a few of my colleagues and I realized that we all grew up with an American Girl doll. I had Felicity, of course: the redhead from Colonial Williamsburg. It was part of my mom's subtle indoctrination strategy that ultimately ensured my early decision application to the Harvard of the South, also know as the College of William & Mary. (See this week's fave quote.) I just visited the American Girl website. When I was little, there was no such thing. Back then I pored over the catalogues to the point that I had them memorized but kept looking anyway, dreaming of what I'd get next with my babysitting money. Seeing all the gorgeous outfits and era-appropriate furniture and accessories brought it all back. I was such a collector! To this day, I have everything I bought packed away in the original Pleasant Company boxes. American Girls have only gotten more popular since I got one. A fellow fan sent me this article from the New York Times on the phenomenon, written by a father and self-proclaimed "son and husband of feminists." It's very well done, and even if you never had an American Girl doll, I'd recommend reading it. Meanwhile, I'll be planning my long overdue trip to American Girl Place in Chi-town! Thank goodness I saved up for the doll travel set back in 1992...
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