There are all kinds of kids in the world, with all kinds of interests. The one thing we can do as parents is to give them the outlet they need when it comes to creative play. American Girl has always offered dolls with different stories and backgrounds, and they’ve come even further with new dolls and accessories that truly reflect the uniqueness of humans everywhere.
With the holidays fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about what your kids might want to add to their collection. If you’re looking to start your kiddo’s American Girl experience, now is the perfect time to find a doll just for them. The iconic brand has new holiday personas like Adventurer, Trendsetter, High Scorer, Festive Foodie and Animal Lover that celebrate who your girl truly is. The holiday shop is also filled with new festive clothing for traditions like Hanukkah, Christmas, Diwali and Kwanzaa, among others.
The Adventurer
She seeks new adventures in everything she does. She is always chasing excitement and knowledge that will broaden her horizons.
Does your kiddo have a favorite stuffed animal—the kind of beloved pal kind that does double duty as a BFF and bedtime buddy? For many children, a doll or stuffy holds an extra special place in their hearts… even when it gets worn and torn. (Two button eyes are overrated anyway, amiright?) The new picture book, A Bear to Share, captures this sweet sentiment while weaving in important messages about empathy and giving back to others.
Courtesy of Baby2Baby
Authored by actress Jessica Alba and Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, A Bear to Share, teaches kids about why it matters to help people in need. The main character, Tiana, loves her teddy bear, Bach. But one day, Tiana is gifted a brand new bear and she doesn’t know what to do. Does she donate Bach or keep them both? Follow along as Tiana learns about letting go and making choices that bring joy to others. Spoiler alert: she gifts her new bear to her best friend Timothy whose family is going through hard times.
Illustrated by Alicia Más, the vibrant, imaginative illustrations bring Tiana’s world to life. A perfect read as the holidays are approaching… this endearing tale demonstrates that sometimes giving feels even better than receiving (at any age!). Grab a copy, cuddle up with your kiddo, and have meaningful conversations about their role in helping those who are less fortunate in your community.
Baby2Baby is a nonprofit organization that provides children living in poverty, ages 0-12 years, with diapers, clothing, and all the basic necessities that every child deserves. The organization has distributed close to 200 million items, impacting hundreds of thousands of children.
Calling all American Girl fans! The most popular doll brand is welcoming three new dolls, and they all have unique stories reflecting important issues the world is dealing with today.
Say hello to Makena Williams, Evette Peeters and Maritza Ochoa, all a part of the “World By Us” collection. The girls and their backgrounds touch on issues like immigration, the importance of working together to make the world a better place, environmentalism and racial equality.
As part of the new collection, each girl will have their own book that details their back story and overlap with others. To make the stories as authentic as possible, American Girl collaborated with acclaimed writers like Angela Cervantes, Denise Lewis Patrick and Sharon Dennis Wyeth.
Barbie has always been a gal who takes on challenges and doesn’t shy away from trying new jobs. Now, she’s digging into an underrepresented career where women make up less than 3%: music producers.
Barbie Music Producer ($15) is the newest a doll in a long line of over 200 careers and she’s packing a punch. Dressed in jeans, graphic tee, platforms, crop jacket, and colorful hair, Barbie comes with headphones, computer and sound mixing board.
In addition to the inspiring new doll, Barbie is coming together with Grammy-Award nominated music producer, songwriter, singer and actress Ester Dean and Girls Make Beats to fund Girls Make Beats scholarships so young girls can reach their dreams in music. Girls Makes Beat is an organization whose mission is to give females a larger presence in the industry as audio engineers, DJ’s and music producers.
Young musicians ages 5-17 can tune in live when Barbie, Girls Make Beats and Ester Dean host a live webinar on Sept. 22 at 4 p.m. PST, open to girls ages 5-17 to get more inspiration. Additionally, Barbie and MTV will host a takeover over Saturday Music Video Block on Sept. 18 at 8 a.m. EST with exclusive women-produced music hits. Want even more inspo?
Catch Ester Dean on Barbie’s newest blog, “I Interview Ester Dean, Song Machine” on Fri., Sept. 24th on the Barbie YouTube channel.
If you have a kid, you probably have a zooful of stuffed animals living with you. These “stuffies” are more than just cute clutter—they actually serve a fundamental purpose in a child’s life. Their favorite teddy or doll is their first friend and allows them to explore their emotional life without judgment, helping navigate all the ups and downs of early childhood. Their stuffed friend’s unconditional love and acceptance teach a valuable lesson about what it means to be a caring human. That’s why a new book that celebrates this particular (and essential) bond,Bear Is a Bear, caught our attention.
Bear Is a Bearis written by popular children’s author Jonathan Stutzman and illustrated by Dan Santat, a Caldecott Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author/illustrator. This moving story with a heartwarming reveal is akin to books like TheVelveteen Rabbit and Corduroy—Bear Is a Bear reads like that classic you cracked opened over and over again as a child, but with a modern twist.
Bear is...a new friend, a fellow mischief-maker, a protector and a dreamer. Through all the many ups and downs of a little girl’s childhood, Bear is there to provide love and support. Until it is time to say goodbye...and hello again.
Bear is a Bear is a deeply touching story of an ever-evolving friendship. Have the tissues nearby—it’s the final reveal that will bring tears to your eyes and make this book an instant classic in your household.
Bear Is a Bear is a moving tribute to the beloved companions of our childhoods—our “stuffies.” (We bet you can remember the name of your favorite as a child right now.) The oversized picture book is also gorgeous, making it the perfect baby shower or birthday gift. Grab your copy, a favorite stuffed friend and snuggle up for storytime with Bear Is a Bear today, and enjoy for years to come!
How is it possible to feel anger towards someone you (probably) love more than anything in the world?
When my kids make me angry, that feeling weighs on me more than any of the acts they did to actually get me to that point. So, how do you navigate this feeling when you are already so aware of your own emotions?
Understanding My Anger
I wish there was a moment in my life that would be the “cause” for me ever getting angry at my kids. But the truth is… there isn’t.
I get angry with my kids because I have a heart that beats and a brain that (luckily) functions. I have a body that gets exhausted from sleepless nights and endless chores. I get bored from the lack of adult interaction. There is a point when I just can’t bear changing another doll’s outfit. Or a baby diaper. Or making 7 meals a day.
And so, getting angry with my kids encompasses a daily ritual that sometimes is just Too. Freaking. Boring.
And let’s not confuse boring with “doing nothing.” You can do one thousand things per minute in your day and still feel drained. It doesn’t mean that it’s always boring. Not even that you’d like to be living differently. It simply means that right there, at the moment, you lack something.
What are you lacking in your own life that makes you angry at your kids from time to time?
For me, what I’m usually lacking is a combination of free time plus feeling guilty. Mom-guilt is my number #1 “issue” in my motherhood journey.
I have always been a “free-spirited” person. I would go out to eat at 11 p.m. at night if I wanted to, sometimes I would wake up early on a Saturday morning, pack a bag and start driving until I end up somewhere cool.
My husband and I had dates weekly, I was always surrounded by friends, life was loud and agitated.
The main thing I missed (and miss) is freedom. The freedom to just get up and leave. To grocery shop in peace. Heck, to use the bathroom in peace!
Once you become a mom, those things are gone for a while. And I’m still in the “while”.
And so, I’ve been slowly finding out what works for me.
1. I feel my anger. Give me a good 5 minutes to just be angry (away from the kids) and not try to simply “snap out of it”.
2. I validate my emotions. Taking a few seconds to really think “I am angry because this sucks” or “I am angry because I have just mopped and they threw crackers all over the floor again” and “I am angry because they didn’t sleep all night and now still refuse to nap” or “I am angry because I miss going out alone.” Those are very real reasons that a human being would get angry about.
3. I try not to trap myself into the “guilt” spiral. Things like, “There are moms with kids in the hospital and here I am angry at them for coloring on the walls” are not valid. True, it’s always good to acknowledge your blessings of having healthy, happy kids and a family to care for. But saying things like that invalidate your feelings and, therefore, you don’t work through them. You have a right to feel your emotions.
4. Do not act in anger. I don’t mean to sound cheesy, but this needs to be said. And that’s for everything, especially when it’s about your kids. I am sure you know this, but kids aren’t born malicious or manipulative. They are learning how to navigate through their own little feelings and it’s as hard for them as it is for you, if not more. It’s true, they do not understand WHY they can’t ask the same questions 300 times within a minute even after you’ve told them the answer.
So, for me, I take a beat. If I feel angry, I will step away and let myself feel angry. Cry if I have to. Scream if I need to. I will then come to them and explain, looking in their eyes, why I am angry. And crazy enough, they understand!
Just a few days ago, my almost 3-years-old girl and I had a bad day together. A combination of a bad night, no nap, and pouring rain lead to a difficult day to manage for us.
When my husband got home from work, he saw that we were just not in sync, so, he took her into her room, sat with her, and told her she could cry, scream, whatever she wanted. She was in there with him for a good 15 minutes just crying. And then…silence.
They both came out and she ran to me, and said: “I’m really sorry mommy, I’m ready to sleep now”.
While they were in the room and she was having a meltdown, I was out in the living room having a meltdown of my own. I cried and cried and just felt that anger. So by the time she was hugging me, I was squeezing her back saying “I’m sorry too, mommy is just super tired”.
You see…the both of us didn’t have a good day. It’s easy for me to forget that the tiny human yelling at me isn’t doing that to just make me angry and, while I’m having such a hard time myself, my almost 3-year-old little girl was getting pretty irritated with me too.
But in order for me to comprehend that, I had to first acknowledge, validate and allow my feelings to pour…so that I could let them go.
I'm a stay-at-home mom to two toddlers, ages 3 and 1. Also a wife, a homemaker, business owner, and the heart behind the motherhood blog "Love, mamãe". My goal? To help mothers survive the toddler years with joy, grace, and sanity!
Calling all Barbie fans! America’s favorite doll is headed off on a new adventure in Netflix’s newest film.
Debuting Sept. 1, Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams follows Barbie Roberts across the country to New York. Excited to spend the summer at the Handler School for Performing Arts, no one is more surprised to run into another student named Barbie Roberts, than Barbie herself!
The music-packed film brings Barbie and Barbie together as the two share their dreams of making it big on Broadway. With new nicknames to set them apart, Malibu and Brooklyn both set out to win the program’s Spotlight Solo with their own unique talents.
While Malibu Barbie is self-taught, Brooklyn Barbie has been trained for years in music, dance and singing. The duo demonstrates that there is never one single path to success, and that anyone can succeed if they bring their A-game!
The newest Barbie film celebrates the potential in every child to succeed and that sometimes a competition is more about bringing out the best in each other, rather than winning.
Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams will debut on Netflix Sept. 1. Keep an eye out for a new line of dolls, playsets and accessories all themed after the film this fall.
You can be anything. It’s Barbie’s slogan and an uplifting message for kids everywhere. Now six real-life women who became heroes of the pandemic have their own dolls thanks to Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes program!
These healthcare role models inspired us with their courageous efforts during a tumultuous time. Their accomplishments saved countless lives and made a huge impact in the fight against the pandemic:
Amy O’Sullivan, RN (United States) – Emergency Room nurse Amy O’Sullivan treated the first COVID-19 patient in Brooklyn at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, became ill and was intubated, then a few weeks later returned to work to continue taking care of others.
Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz (United States) – Dr. Cruz, a frontline worker from Las Vegas, NV, during the pandemic, joined forces with other Asian-American physicians to fight racial bias and discrimination.
Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa (Canada)- A psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Oriuwa has advocated against systemic racism in healthcare, which has been further highlighted by the pandemic.
Professor Sarah Gilbert (United Kingdom) – As a professor of vaccinology, Professor Gilbert led the development of the University of Oxford vaccine in the U.K.
Dr. Jaqueline Goes de Jesus (Brazil) – As a biomedical researcher, Dr. Goes is credited for leading the sequencing of the genome of a COVID-19 variant in Brazil.
Dr. Kirby White (Australia) – A General Practitioner in Australia, Dr. White co-founded the Gowns for Doctors initiative – by developing a PPE gown that could be laundered and re-used, allowing frontline workers in Victoria, AU to continue seeing patients during the pandemic.
Mattel also announced that for each eligible doctor, nurse and paramedic doll sold at Target through August, Barbie will donate $5 to the First Responder Children’s Foundation, which benefits children of first responders. The organization plans to use the money to support the Power of Play Program, which focuses on the social, emotional and behavioral well-being of children.
Along with the current selection of medical dolls, you can also buy a new Fast Cast Clinic playset with a Barbie doctor doll and four play areas. Barbie can use an X-ray machine, check a patient on the exam table, create dough casts in the medical station and direct families to the gift shop. It’s available at retailers now for $49.99.
We love surprises—why reserve them just for holidays and birthdays? L.O.L. Surprise! toys are a trend that’s here to stay, and we couldn’t be happier: They are cute (but fierce!), diverse, inclusive and so fun to unbox—there’s just nothing like em’! With hundreds of unique characters, no matter what your kids’ interests, style or personality are, there is a L.O.L. Surprise! doll to represent them.
Everyone is welcome to play and explore their creativity and celebrate their individuality with L.O.L. Surprise! Not only are these fun toys excellent role models for young kids (boys are included, too!) their message of inclusion and how we are stronger together is an important lesson for any kid.
Did we mention the anticipation and excitement that comes with opening a L.O.L. Surprise!?! We’ll get to that: Introducing a new theme that makes every day a celebration—present surprise theme. Read on to learn more about this uber-cool and super-fun series that makes the perfect neatly packaged gift with brand-new surprises and unboxing experiences guaranteed to turn any day into a par-tay!
This new theme is the ideal gift for any occasion! The Present Surprise holds eight surprises to unbox and includes a doll with tons of fun accessories to discover. There are 12 fierce and fashionable characters to collect, each with their own birthday month to celebrate. Each all-new adorable character is inspired by an activity specific to their birthday month, from her fashion to her accessories. Feed your doll with the bottle or bathe your doll to reveal a cool water surprise—including color change! Each surprise doll also includes birthday month-themed accessories and a secret message—who’s ready to party?!
Deluxe Present Surprise
This new slumber party-themed Deluxe Present Surprise includes a water fizz unboxing experience. It comes with a limited edition Slumber Queen doll and her Lil Sister, Lil Slumber Queen—too cute! There are six mystery accessories to unbox including an inflatable mattress that doubles as a water bed. Drop the included fizz in water for a surprise that is just bubbling over to reveal a party cake—inside, find the limited-edition doll and their Lil!
Each Deluxe Present Surprise comes wrapped in a fabulous gift package with a bow and tag to write a special message. Unbox six mystery accessories hidden in the confetti and sand surprises. Because they've thought of everything to make this party the best ever, the cake doubles as a storage and display case. You'll also get party accessories, including party banners, party invitations, confetti and kinetic sand to create your own party decorations.
This is the first O.M.G. fashion doll in the L.O.L. Present Surprise theme! Miss Glam, a stylish gal with loads of personality, is having the most outrageous surprise birthday party of all time! Cue the confetti: Get ready for a festive confetti unboxing experience, with 20+ surprises to uncover. Everything Miss Glam does is larger-than-life, and her unboxing is no different, of course! Mix and match her fashions to create five totally new looks and use the adorbs package as a reusable playset—time to get glam and par-tay all day!
Confetti POP
Each capsule has 15 cool new surprises with a fun pop of confetti in every package, making it a party every time! Unbox 15 surprises, a mystery disguise and a L.O.L. Surprise! doll with a water surprise. Unwrap layers of your mystery disguise to reveal who's inside—the disguise can be reused as fashions and accessories. Feed or bathe your doll to reveal a water surprise. Will your doll cry, spit or tinkle? The suspense is killing us! The confetti pop capsule can be put back together and popped again and again. You can collect all 12 of these unique L.O.L. Surprise Confetti POP dolls!
While I was growing up, I absolutely loved Barbie. I would beg my mother for a new Barbie every time we ventured into the toy department. As soon as we neared those Pepto Bismol-pink displays, I would get butterflies and daydream of Barbie’s and my next adventure together.
On one such trip, my mother finally acquiesced and bought me Peaches ‘n’ Cream Barbie. She kept her in the closet and said she would be my birthday gift.
Fortunately (or unfortunately) for me, Peaches ‘n’ Cream sat in her pink box staring down at me with her eternally painted smile through her see-through plastic window. I looked forward to our reunion with eagerness.
When the happy day arrived, I carefully removed Peaches ‘n’ Cream from her packaging, and slowly examined her with the precision of a doctor. She was perfect—she had waist length blonde tresses and big blue eyes. Peaches ‘n’ Cream Barbie was beautiful—and I looked nothing like her.
It’s bad enough that Barbie is a poor anatomical role model for young girls, all unbalanced rack and legs for days. But when I had asked my mother what was meant by “peaches ‘n’ cream,” she shook her head.
“I don’t know,” she had replied.
It was years later that I learned the meaning: a creamy white complexion with a blush of peach. Something I would never have. I was thankful that my 6-year-old self and my 30-something-year-old mother never knew this at the time.
Now that I’m a 30-something with young impressionable daughters of my own, I am determined that they have a doll who looks more like them.
Enter Nahji, from Assam, India. Nahji is part of a collection called Hearts 4 Hearts Girls whose proceeds partially go to helping young girls in the countries they represent, including Dell (USA), Consuelo (Mexico), Rahel (Ethiopia), Tipi (Laos), and Lilian (Belarus).
I immediately purchased this doll for Pumpkin’s 2nd birthday. Never mind that the box loudly stated For Ages 6+ or that my daughter was more interested in the box Nahji came in rather than in Nahji herself. She has dark beautiful hair and large lovely brown eyes. She is perfect—and she looks everything like us.
Jen Kathrina-Anne is a blogger, freelance writer, and graphic designer. When she’s not writing or designing, she enjoys spending time outdoors in the California Bay Area where she resides with her husband and two fearless daughters. Find her at www.hautemommyhandbook.com.
