A crop of millennials are turning 40 this year, and so are the dolls many of them played with growing up. It’s hard to overstate just what a phenomenon American Girl was when it burst on the scene: If you didn’t have a Samantha, Kirsten, or Molly, you were always angling for an after-school invite from someone who did. There was even a magazine serious fans could subscribe to (you can scroll through an issue from 1993 here). The brand has evolved over the decades but it’s still going strong today, with plenty of new developments — including a novel for adults in the works. Read all about it below.
Rebekah Brandes
Assistant Editor
Today’s Pick
Mattel
40 Years of American Girl: A Deep Dive Into the Nostalgic Brand's History
The year is 1986, and Samantha Parkington, Kirsten Larson, and Molly McIntire have just begun capturing the hearts of kids around the country. Each character has her own backstory, helping bring the dolls to life and offering young fans a glimpse into a specific slice of American history.
