AMERICAN GIRL® DEBUTS 1960s MELODY ELLISON TO ITS BEFOREVER LINEUP PLUS a Giveaway!

39

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

AG post header

Last week the newest historical character from American Girl, Melody Ellison hit the scene.  Melody is a civil rights believer, chorus leader, and a daughter of Detroit.  9-year-old Melody gives girls a peek into life during the 1960s-a significant time during the civil rights movement in America.  {Giveaway details at the bottom of this post!}

From American Girl:

“American Girl’s historical characters have long been celebrated for their educational value and for helping girls discover strength of character through things that truly matter—like helping others, being a true friend, and standing up for what’s right,” says Katy Dickson, president of American Girl. “We’re proud to introduce Melody and hope she’ll serve as an important role model to girls, giving them the courage to use their voices to speak up about what they believe in—even when it’s not easy to do. A concept that’s just as important today as it was over 50 years ago.”

Written by award-winning author Denise Lewis Patrick, the Melody stories introduce readers ages 8 and up to Melody Ellison, who loves her close-knit family, gardening with her grandparents, and singing her heart out. Whether she’s in the children’s choir at church, backing up her brother’s Motown music, or singing into a hairbrush with her sisters, Melody loves blending her voice with others. When Melody is asked to sing her first solo at church, she’s determined to find the right song and make it perfect. She’s inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and influenced by her oldest sister, a college student who is taking action to make things fair for all African Americans. As Melody experiences discrimination herself, and as she hears about the atrocities happening throughout the country, she discovers that her voice is her mightiest strength and, when joined with the voices of many, it can bring about monumental changes.

To help ensure the historical accuracy and cultural authenticity of Melody’s story and products, an esteemed six-member advisory board was selected to review and provide input on all aspects of Melody’s development—including the doll, books, outfits, accessories, issues, and story setting. The board members include the late Horace Julian Bond, chairman emeritus, NAACP Board of Directors and founding member of

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); Gloria House, director and professor emerita, African and African American Studies, University of Michigan-Dearborn; Juanita Moore, President and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit and founding executive director of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis; Rebecca de Schweinitz, associate professor of history, Brigham Young University, Utah, and author of If We Could Change the World: Young People and America’s Long Struggle for Racial Equality; Thomas J. Sugrue, professor of history at New York University and author of Sweet Land of Liberty: The Forgotten Struggle for Civil Rights in the North; and JoAnn Watson, native of Detroit, ordained minister, and former executive director of the Detroit NAACP.

AG6

“I relished everything about the Melody project—from being a part of the discussion concerning Melody’s appearance—her hair and skin color, clothes, and accessories—to reading manuscripts, ensuring that her African American lifestyle and cultural practices were accurate and reflective of the 1960s,” said Melody advisory board member Gloria House. “I hope Melody and her stories inspire young girls today, offering them an experience rich in basic political and social concepts that they will be able to apply in their own lives.”

As an important city in the civil rights movement, Melody’s hometown of Detroit was selected to showcase one of the country’s most vibrant and thriving black communities of the era, with more independent black-owned businesses, like Motown Records, than any other location in the country, as well as home to one of the largest chapters of the NAACP. Detroit laid claim to significant local civil rights activities, such as the 1963 Walk to Freedom march, featuring the precursor of Dr. King’s now-famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The Detroit location also helps young readers understand that the struggle for civil rights was not just an issue in the South and that African Americans throughout the United States faced racial inequality and discrimination.

AG9

In addition to the stories, the Melody product collection features a beautiful 18-inch doll with dark brown eyes and black hair, plus several historically authentic 1960s doll outfits and historically inspired apparel for girls. Numerous accessories round out the play experience, including a Motown-inspired recording studio that plays and records music, a Melody block party set, and other items that bring her 1960s-era world to life.

AG8

To further engage girls in Melody’s world and her inspirational message, American Girl is introducing the following activities and events:

Lift Your Voice with Melody: To encourage people to share their photos and videos of how they’re speaking up to make a difference, fans can watch the Lift Your Voice with Melody video at americangirl.com/liftyourvoice and then share their own inspiring videos and photos, using #LiftYourVoice.

Melody Learning Materials: For parents and teachers, free, downloadable Melody Learning and Reader Discussion Guides, which explore themes and issues from the 1960s, are available at http://www.americangirl.com/corporate/parents-and-teachers

Melody Retail Events: At American Girl retail stores, girls can listen to music that inspired Melody and celebrate her arrival with special block party food, free Melody-inspired crafts, and a free doll T-shirt giveaway.

AG4

Detroit Community Support: American Girl is partnering with the Detroit Public Library system (22 branches) and donating $100,000 in free Melody books for any area child who wants one through the end of 2016; $50,000 in funds to support the children’s area throughout the library system; and $25,000 in Melody dolls to be used for fundraising and incentives. The entire donation to the library is valued at $175,000.

Melody Amazon Special: An original American Girl live-action special, Melody, 1963: Love Has to Win, an American Girl Story, will premiere on Amazon Prime Video this fall. The Melody special is an Amazon adaptation of American Girl’s original created stories.

AG2

**GIVEAWAY**

Our friends at American Girl have generously provided us with a Melody Ellison BeForever Doll to giveaway to one of you!!

To enter just comment below on this post and tell us who your favorite American Girl Character is!  You must be 21 years or older to enter and you must live in one of our East Valley cities to win (Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Ahwatukee, Tempe).  The contest will be open from 8am Wednesday, August 31, 2016 thru Friday, September 2, 2016 at 5pm.  Winner will be randomly selected.  You may only enter once.

 

AG7

The Melody doll and related products will be available on August 25, 2016, at americangirl.com; at all American Girl retail locations nationwide; through American Girl’s catalogue; and at American Girl specialty boutiques at select Indigo™and Chapters™locations in Canada. The Melody books can also be purchased through retail and online booksellers. To learn more about Melody and the BeForever line of historical characters, go to americangirl.com or visit American Girl’s social channels. To request a free American Girl catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005; to join the company’s new loyalty program, AG Rewards, go to americangirl.com/REWARDS.

[hr]

ABOUT AMERICAN GIRL

American Girl is a premium brand for girls and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT, www.mattel.com), a creations company that inspires the wonder of childhood. Headquartered in Middleton, WI, American Girl offers an inspiring world of dolls, experiences, and entertainment to empower and unite girls of all ages. Best-selling lines include Truly Me™ Girl of the Year™ Bitty Baby™ WellieWishers™ and the classic historical character line BeForever™ The company sells products through its award-winning catalogue, on americangirl.com, in its experiential retail stores nationwide, and in specialty boutiques at select Indigo™and Chapters™in Canada and El Palacio de Hierro locations in Mexico City. American Girl’s mission is to fuel belonging and connection among girls, a goal that has already earned the loyalty of millions and the praise and trust of their parents and educators. To learn more about American Girl or request a free catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005 or visit http://americangirl.com, www.facebook.com/americangirl, or www.twitter.com/american_girl.

39 COMMENTS

  1. Willa is my daughters current favorite doll and she wants it so bad but money is just very tight. My sweet Alexis is constantly watching American girl doll videos and takes amazing care of all her American girl dolls and stuff. This would bless her considering life right now has been hard for finding out not only is she dyslexic but also gots ADD her dolls give her confidence. I pray she wins!

  2. My favorite American Girl doll is Saige Copeland. She loves spending time with her grandma. She’s from New Mexico & that’s where my grandma lives & I spent many summers there as a little girl.

  3. My sweet grandaughter Shelby is 8 years old and left San Diego yesterday to move to Washington DC. My son-in-law is with the ATF and was transferred there for the next five years. I miss them already!

    Emily is our favorite, as my mother (great grandma?) is British.

    Shelby has always loved American Girl, and I have been that “Yaya” who started her with Samantha, her very first doll. It would be such n incredible thing to be able to surprise her with this newest addition to the American girl family. We were just talking about Melody last weekend! Shelby put it on her Christmas list to me.

    A good portion of my Christmas fund will be gobbled up by travel expenses to get to DC for the Holidays. This would be absolute gift from God for me to bring Melody along for the trip!

    Thank you City Moms 4 doing such great things in our community!

    Warmest regards,
    Amy Starks

  4. Growing up I loved American girl dolls. I was very blessed in having the opportunity to own many of them. Samantha, Felicity were my two favorites.

    No I am passing that love for American girls onto my daughter. She is just 2 right now so for her birthday she received the bitty twins and LOVES them! I can’t wait to take her to the American girl store in Scottsdale or back home in Chicago with her grandma who owns a few dolls also.

  5. I like Samantha because she is just like my daughter, a tomboy who still likes girly stuff, too! She lover riding her quad but is wearing her pink glitter helmet! Also, I love how Samantha likes helping others. A trait I try to instill in my kids is being kind and helpful.

  6. My favorite American Girl Doll has always been Samantha! She just had such an elegance about her and as a kid I LOVED her accessories!

  7. Our family fave is Kit!!! She reminds me of my 10 year old because she loves sports, and of my 6 year old who says she wants to be a reporter when she grows up like Kit!

  8. My little loves Samantha ? She says she looks like her. She just turned 7 this month and we went up to the American girl store to celebrate!

  9. We love Samantha, she reminds me of my daughter. We also love all of the animals especially the dogs!! My little girl plays with them everyday!

  10. I love Mary Ellen Larkin! She is a teacher and we think it’s important to show kids that teachers have a real life too. She is also a fifties girl and we love that era!

  11. My top three AGDs are Kit, MaryEllen & the newest, Lea. The girls have such great back stories & show so many different eras throughout history!

  12. My daughter and I would have to say this doll would be our favorite since we do not own one. My daughter Brynn is African American and we are from just a little North of Detroit. Would be a great way to teach her black history as well and her love it because it’s her first one ever. ? Thank you for the opportunity

  13. My nine-year-old daughters says Leah Clark is her favorite. We love her sense of determination and adventure. My five-year-old is in love with Willa! We read American Girl books as often as possible.

  14. My favorite doll growing up was Samantha (I always wanted her room), but my girls favorites are Molly and McKenna (GOTY). We love American girl and all of the positive messages!

  15. My granddaughter is still young, but beginning to understand the value of
    A beautiful story with a beautiful doll.
    I grew up in Detroit, and was raised as a young adult during the riots.
    My father was a firefighter in Detroit during the riots.
    I love the History and story of Melody.
    This would be a wonderful way to begin a new History with my granddaughter who will soon be 5.

    Look forward to hearing from you.

    Jackie Stoecklin
    21 Years Gilbert,Az

  16. Growing up my favorite was Samantha, but I think my daughter would love Willa. She’s so cute and adorable, just like my little girl.

  17. Our favorite is Caroline! She looks just like our daughter. We love all the dolls and would be extremely happy to win! Good luck to all the families entering, what a great contest! And I just love the pictures of the girls and dolls in downtown Gilbert!

  18. My daughter is so excited for this doll to come out! Thank you, American Girl, for teaching out daughters about history!! Right now, Kit is one of her favorites…and Grace and Lea….. haha

  19. My daughter said that her favorite AG doll is the new Melody! She likes Melody because of her uniqueness and beauty that she beholds.

  20. My daughter Roxie plays with my Molly doll every day. I still remember the Christmas I got her under the tree. Her stories were always my favorite!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here