Introducing the 2015 American Girl Doll-Grace Thomas (Part 1)
During the holidays, I got the opportunity to speak to many parents about what gifts to give their children. The number one question was how to combine a fun and education all into one. One of my friends, stated that she had finally decided to purchase an American girl doll for her daughter. This brought up a lively and entertaining discussion about the American Girl line. I am a big fan of the dolls, in fact I own the Bitty Twins. I also have a special tradition for my great nieces, when they turn 6 each one picked out an American Girl doll as we celebrate their birthday at the store. It is some of the best memories we have together. Their faces are priceless as they sit with their dolls at the restaurant.
I told this story and explained to those who had not heard of the dolls that they are more than dolls, that they had a history, a story behind each doll and special features unique to each doll. Did you know that you can customize your doll? You child will instantly have a mini me. I went on to talk about the BeForever dolls. These dolls are from different eras, and teach about what it was like to grow up in that time frame. It makes for a wonderful teaching tools about how things have changed over time. Did you know that some of the dolls are retired and put away forever. These are the small things that make this brand so unique.
While the holidays are over, we still have birthday, dance recitals and other special events that we would and can celebrate with a gift of an American Girl Doll.
I am proud to be able to work in collaboration with American Girl over the next year to bring you the story of these dolls to my readers and fans of American Girl.
On January 1, 2015, American Girl launched its 2015 doll and we welcomed Grace Thomas to the collection.
Grace is this enthusiastic girl loves to bake with friends and invent new recipes. She is a avid baker with an entrepreneurial spirit, is motivated to follow her dream of starting a baking business after an inspiring trip to Paris to visit her aunt and uncle. Available for only one year, the Grace collection includes a beautiful 18 inch Grace doll featuring long dark brown hair and sparkling blue eyes, plus several French inspired outfits, accessories and toys that reflect her interests, such as the premium French Bakery Set with more than 60 pieces.
Grace Thomas is a French baker who just loves to bake – hence the aprons worn and she’s also an entrepreneurial-minded American Girl doll, which is a skill that American Girl fans will learn when they read Grace Thomas’ new books. The books include Grace, Grace Stirs It Up and Grace Makes It Great these books were written by Mary Casanova, it introduces girls to an inventive enthusiastic nine-year-old girl who is full of big ideas. A planner at hear, Grace finds the courage to step outside of her comfort zone during a trip to Paris that broadens her perspective and challenges her to try new things. Back home, Grace uses her newfound courage and culinary skills to start her own French baking business with the two best friends. Learning to combine their talents, Grace and her friends mix together some great ideas that, ultimately lead to many sweet rewards. To bring Grace’s story to life, a full-length movie will debut on DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment in Summer 2015.
Mary Casanova, author of the books for the Girl of Year characters, Jess, Chrissa, McKenna, and now Grace grew up in an active, outdoorsy family of ten children. With so many siblings she often felt as if she were at camp, and she found it wasn’t always easy to be heard. Not until high school did she discover her love for writing, “I feel in love with the power and magic of words,” she recalls “Words were my paintbrush, Writing became my voice.”
With every novel, Casanova researches and travels extensively. For Grace, she returned to Paris with her grown daughter Kate. Casanova reflects, “I’d been to France three times for research and to speak. This time, my research meant simply being a tourist. She and her daughter rented bikes, walked along the Seine, explored parks and famous sites, sipped coffee at outdoor cafes, sampled pastries, and took a baking class in the home of a Paris chef. Like Grace, Mary loves to bake breads, cakes and cookies. Which made it easy for her to related to this character.
To further Grace’s message that working together is the best recipe for success, American Girl has created For Goodness, Bake!, a year-long fund-raising initiative in support of No Kid Hungry®, the campaign to end childhood hunger in America from Share Our Strength®. Starting January 1, American Girl is encouraging girls to host charity bake sales in their local communities and donate proceeds to No Kid Hungry. Because 1 in 5 children struggles with hunger in the United States, American Girl is helping ensure all children get the healthy food they need every day. For every $1 a girl raises, No Kid Hungry can connect a child with ten additional meals.
To kick off the initiative, American Girl has donated $50,000 to No Kid Hungry, and it invites customers to also donate directly at americangirl.com and at American Girl retail stores. Parents can visit americangirl.com/girloftheyear to learn more about the initiative, to register for the Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry, and be entered into the For Goodness, Bake! sweepstakes for the chance to win one of 41 Grace prize packages.
Other Grace-related initiatives being held throughout the year include the following:
In the Mix with Grace Online Journal: Throughout the year, American Girl fans will get to know Grace through her weekly “In the Mix” online travel and baking journal, located on americangirl.com/girloftheyear. The journal will feature a variety of content, including written posts, videos, recipes, photos, polls, guest writers, and user-generated content to connect girls with Grace’s world.
Sur La Table Cooking Classes: Starting in March 2015, girls can join American Girl and Sur La Table for Grace-themed French baking classes. The two-hour classes, offered at more than 50 Sur La Table locations nationwide, will give girls hands-on instruction on how to make French pastries. To learn more about the classes, please visit americangirl.com/stores .
Grace Retail Events: On January 1, girls can celebrate Grace’s debut at American Girl retail stores with the reveal of her product collection, plus in-store baking demonstrations, free craft activities, giveaways, and a photo opportunity. Girls can also take part in free and paid Grace-related events throughout the year. For more details on the in-store events, visit americangirl.com/stores .
Grace Paid App and Online Play: Girls can unlock the secrets to making French pastries with Grace’s exclusive paid app, Grace Sweet Shop. To learn more, search “American Girl” at the Apple App Store. Girls can also visit americangirl.com/girloftheyear for Grace book excerpts, movie-related content, games, e-cards, and much more.
The Grace collection was available starting January 1 through American Girl’s catalogue; at http://www.americangirl.com, Facebook at facebook.com/americangirl, Twitter at twitter.com/american_girl, Pinterest at pinterest.com/agofficial and American Girl’s Instagram page at instagram.com/americangirlbrand. To request a free American Girl catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005.
Now I have some really exciting news the great people at American Girl want to give you a chance to kick off this series and give a lucky a reader a chance to win their own Grace doll. Please join us again next month, for the next part of this series, and all year long
All you have to do is leave comment and follow me on twitter, instagram, pinterest, or facebook.
Please make sure to include your email so that you will be notified if you win.
https://twitter.com/Nico2317
http://www.pinterest.com/nico2317/
http://instagram.com/denisenico23
This contest will run from January 12, 2015 to March 31, 2015
Disclaimer: I am working in collaboration with American Girl on this series; however all opinions expressed here are my own.
I would love to win! I’m such a fan of AG and my daughter just turned one and her name is Grace!! It’s like meant to be!
Following on Twitter @LibbysLibrary
This would be a great Christmas gift for next year – I’d love to win!! Following on all! 🙂
My daughter used to LOVE American Girl! She has about 4 of them, and I was sad to see her pack them up. Oh well, at least I’ll have them for grandbabies.
I would have cherished a doll like Grace when I was a little girl. I love all of the depth of the dolls when you consider the rich back story and well-developed character. I can’t wait to get to know Grace more.
Would love to win! I used to read these books when I was a girl! Love all the dolls and the books that go along with them. 🙂
Grace is a beautiful doll! I love that kids will be able to take Grace-themed classes at Sur La Table!
My girls are so excited about Grace my oldest is already half way through the book. We tried to go see her new stuff on Jan 1 but the line was too long and the wind too cold, hopefully soon.
Grace sounds like a very cool girl. I love that she has her own DVD story!
I love that she is a girl who likes to cook! What a perfect gift for little girls who like to spend time in the kitchen.
Now this is a doll after my own heart! Makes me long for the days my daughter was younger.
Oh my — how excited! As a mom of 3, and as a “mom” of 6 AG dolls — wow! I love Grace. Thanks for letting me know more about her.
I just love American Girl, Grace is adorable!
My daughter loves her AG dolls. She has 3 big ones and 3 minis.
I would love to win this for my daughter! I am following you on Twitter as @justlittleus and Pinterest under my name.
This looks so adorable! What a wonderful doll for a girl to have!
Oh she’s so pretty! I can’t believe my two girls haven’t discovered American Girl dolls. I know as a kid I would have loved them. Not sure they are really popular here but this one is gorgeous! Very nice!
I remember the American Girl Dolls from when I was younger!! I think it is so neat they are still making new dolls for the girls to relate too! I love to bake and think its great that American Girl has made a doll that can help to encourage young girls!
We have 3 AG dolls in our home and I swear by them. Best made dolls out there and my girls LOVE them.
I’d love to win the Grace doll, especially because I have a toddler named Grace who also loves to bake. She got her first apron for Christmas too! I am now following on Twitter. Find me at @JoyfulFamLife or at joyfulfamlife@gmail.com
Thanks for sharing all the creative ways to interact and play with Grace. How exciting for little girls.
I don’t think these dolls were out when I was a kid, but if I ever have children of my own – I definitely want to buy these American dolls for them. I wonder if they have a Canadian girl, version? We now live in the USA and it would be adorable for the little doll to be wearing red/white maple leaf outfit. 🙂
Grace sounds like a great doll for my little entrepreneur! I love that she reinforces values and a mindset that is current and important for girls in today’s world. We’ve enjoyed many American Girl movies and they always teach important lessons and are quite empowering for our young ladies.
Awesome! My daughter so wants an American Girl doll. Helpful to know more about them – thanks!
I love the American Girl Doll Collection and Grace seems like a WONDERFUL addition. I still have two or three of my American Girl dolls from when I was growing up to pass on to my daughter. I bet she will love this collection just as much as I did and still do. I look forward to taking her to the store in NYC!
These are cute dolls. I love the realness of them.
It’s amazing how kids appreciate and be super thankful for the gifts they receive from parents. These things are given out of love for children. The idea of customizing dolls is awesome! It also teaches the kid to be more creative.
I would love to win this! My daughter loves American Girl and I love Paris! So win win! katherine.bartlett@ymail.com
I love the American Girl and how she is an entrpreuner is encourging
Grace looks like a real delight…and my cousin would love her. I follow you on all accounts like Twitter (pricelessteam) and Instagram (yonawrites).
Very cool. Have loved the American Girl. Was happy to read this post. Thank you for sharing.
I just went to the American Girl store for the first time. I was in awe of everything. I can’t wait until my girls are older to buy them dolls.
American Girls has grown so much since I was a child. I used to love the American Dolls series and I grew up on them and now its an entire experience and so many dolls to choose from, whereas when I was younger it was only like 7 American Dolls. I love that the dolls tell these compelling stories and when I was growing up it was more historical but now they are making modern dolls which are more relatable to girls today! Ok also since when did the American Doll books feature real girls on the cover instead of books…that is interestings wow! Its good to know this new Grace doll is a little entrepreneur!
Grace is adorable! Would love to win her for my DD.
Followed you on all 3!
Twitter: @cjbrashear
instagram: cjbrashear
pinterest: cjbrashear
Thanks so much for offering such an awesome giveaway! My daughter would love to add Grace to our home. Following on Twitter: @MommyEaster, Instagram: @mommyeaster, and Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mommykikie/
My email is c.easter@hotmail.com
My girls LOVE their American Girl Dolls and on January 1st, they made me google to see who the new doll was… like seriously first thing in the morning. I didn’t even know there was going to be a new doll, but they did!
I love that each doll has a story because it shows my girls (and others) that they really can be and do anything and they should think about what they want their story to be, when they grow up.
I follow you on all 4 social media sites. Thanks!
I love the American Girl dolls. They were always too pricey for my budget, so I never bought my daughter one. I really wish I would have. She’s 16 now, so I doubt she wants one now.
How cute! My little cousin would absolutely adore this doll! We’re always baking cookies. So cute for little girls who love being in the kitchen. 🙂
Following on Pinterest! My daughter just got her first AG for Christmas. She got the My American Girl. We were so excited to see that this year’s girl of the year was from Paris and loves to cook! I’d love to win this for my 7 year old Madilyn!
As a mom to grown adult kids I’ll admit while I had heard the name I didn’t know anything about them. I just had my first granddaughter a couple of months ago and this sounds like an great thing to share with her as she grows up!
A few years ago we took my daughter and her doll to lunch at the American Girl store. It was very well done. What a cute memory it is.
What a cute and pretty doll! I saw so many commercials at the end of December for the unveiling of the 2015 doll and knew it had to do something with Paris or France themed. I love the doll, it gives young girls a great learning experience and the play of a doll. Thanks for sharing!
Would love to win this for my niece
following on Twitter
Following on Pinterest
My girls would love this. They are huge American Doll Fans!!
WeI took my daughter and her friend to AG on Jan 2 and they received an apron for their dolls! Thanks for all of this helpful info.
Awww thank you for this great opportunity to win this beautiful doll Grace, she is so lovely! She is one of my favorites, I love her clothes, eyes, face and hair. Love the whole Paris theme and her journey. This is the perfect little doll for a little girl, wish that I had her when I was growing up, she would’ve been treasured! – I follow on twitter @sexyknickers68 / Pinterest – tenderninnie and Facebook (Paula Caudill) Thank you so much – Super Excited! 🙂
I’m a new follower on Instagram and Twitter. I’d love to win!
My daughter would love this doll. It is adorable and Grace is her middle name:) Following you on twitter @childrensnook
I am an all boy mom, so I am totally out of the American Girl doll loop. I had one when I was a little girl, though!
Hi! Visiting from an Alexa thread from http://www.bitesforbabies.com. I LOVE this…I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to play with these dolls! She’s only two (and loves dolls) but I don’t think she would truly understand what it’s all about at this point! I already have these on her Christmas list next year 😉
Your little girl looks so pretty with her American Girl doll! Now that I have a niece, I’m paying a lot more attention to all the girl toys out there. I have a son, so I never got to play with all the neat dolls. American Girl has a great reputation of making quality dolls.
The doll is just so adorable. I bet if I was a bit younger, I will have a doll like this one for myself – my niece would love it too!
Following on Twitter – @LivingContently! I loved American Girl when I was young.
I love this girl. So far all of the girl of the year’s have been awesome, but we have the most in common with Grace. My daughter would love this!
Following you – @mommalewsblog
We love American dolls but I’m not happy with their lone Black doll… there should be a better selection for brown girls to match the other inventory. I hope they will soon correct this…
Following you , @nanasdeals would love to win for my granddaughter
My girls are now obsessed with American Girl Dolls! My youngest really wants Grace since she loves to bake and my oldest wants Julie. We have been to an American Girl doll store once and the girls loved it.
She looks like an amazing doll. I love that she is a French baker! We have not entered American Girl doll territory yet, I think we still have a while!
I love all the American Girl Doll books and when I found out, I can have a doll that looks just like me. I was at the store. I got one for me and my niece to cherish. I love the story behind each doll and I can’t wait to see if they have the Grace Collection to look like me and my niece, if so, they will be added to the collection because I am teaching my niece how to be in business for herself and to follow her dreams.
We love our American Girl Dolls. Grace looks like a fun addition to the family.
Omg what a great giveaway!!! We just got my daughter a itty bitty for Christmas to start her on the whole american girl thing!! Love these dolls 🙂
I remember American Girl from when I was just a kid. It is so delightful to see that the brand is still around. I have all boys though so my American Girl journey came to an end when I became an adult.
This looks like a great doll for little girls! I bet my niece would love to have one of these.
My daughter has wanted one for awhile. Her birthday is coming up and I might purchase her first American Girl Doll.
Oh, what a cute doll! We have a lot in common in that we both love Paris and both love to bake! 🙂
I have heard a lot about this kind of doll, I know it’s all the rage right now, I have little boys so it’s unlikely an American girl doll will make it into my home, but I think it’s neat that s little girl can pick out a doll that looks just like her.
I regret not getting my daughter one of these dolls. She never asked for one but as I read through your post, I see how great of a playmate it could have been for her. She’s sixteen now, so I think it’s too late.
I am not familiar with the american girl doll but love the explanation on Grace, the american girl doll sounds really interesting and very educational as well as motivating. I can not believe they have retired a doll but that is also cool idea. I have a few young cousins who would love to have a doll like grace or a personalised one
I love American Girl Dolls, and am trying to get my daughter on board. We had one of the twins ( we had grandparents buy them and get 1 for each granddaughter ) . I love playing with her baby. I think I play with it more than she does.
Very cute!!
I used to love all the American Girl Dolls when I was younger. I am happy to see Grace is a baker! That is such a fun trade to learn more about for young girls. I like her kitchen and apron outfit!
We’ve had so much American Doll stuff over the past year with my nieces that I could have my own store! These dolls are a love of so many.
These are such amazing adorable dolls indeed. I love that they come with their own story books which talk about their lives. The American Girl Dolls are truly one of the best gifts a little girl could every have. indeed. Grace Thomas sounds amazing with her French Bakery Set. Thanks for sharing.
My girls just got their first AG dolls for Christmas and I can’t wait to take them to the store as well.
Thanks for the opportunity! My daughter would love to have her!
Grace is adorable! I enjoyed your post!
Grace Thomas is a very beautiful doll! I love Josefina face mold, brown hair and blue eyes! One of the prettiest dolls of the year! Maybe we will win her!
Following on Pinterest. My daughter just started getting into American Girl -it is becoming a bit of an obsession for me as well 😉
My daughter loves American girl doll! She would be ecstatic if she won the beautiful doll grace!!
I read all of the American Girl books when I was growing up but never had one of the dolls. I look forward to sharing the books and dolls with my daughter now. 🙂
I follow you on Pinterest- kirbycolby
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
Grace sounds like a perfect addition to the American Girl family. Every family needs a baker after all. Thanks for the chance to win her!
I really enjoyed reading your post as I have never heard of the Americal girl doll. I grew up in a country where we couldn’t afford toys and then when I got married and came to UK, I had two sons so never got a chance to get to know anything about dolls.
My daughter just saw the new book for Grace in her Scholastic Book Club and asked me if we could buy it. We will.
My daughter and I LOVE spending time together playing with our thrift store score AG doll. I love teaching her how to sew clothing for her doll and we enjoy crafting decor for our homemade dollhouse. Thanks for the chance, this would be so wonderful to win!
I follow on Twitter as @rainadelrio
I follow on Pinterest as Raina DelRio
I follow on Instagram as @raina_delrio
I also follow you on Facebook as Raina DelRio
I enjoyed your post! American Girl dolls are so popular with girls–I’m sure Grace will be just as loved!
My daughter is so excited for Grace Thomas!
Already a fan! We love to win!!! Thanks!
Love Grace! I actually started collecting as a child, and in fact had started with the Felicity and Elizabeth Dolls, and my mother purchased the Felicity dress and corset outfit, which I wore to Colonial Williamsburg to have pictures taken there with my dolls! Also, following you from misslaughslot; theladyprefers2save@gmail.com is my email address! Thank you!
So many seem to love the American dolls. Thanks for sharing!
I love it! This would be a great one to win. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, Grace looks like a great addition to the AG group of dolls! Even though my girls have 3 American Girl dolls each, they LOVE them, and I think they’d definitely be happy to welcome one more, lol!
My youngest was so excited when Saige was doll of the year, because they share the same name 🙂
Hi! Thank you for the chance! I am following on pinterest. (amy pugmire) and on instagram under (amypugmire) Grace is such a cute doll and such an inspiration!
Em would love this! She already wants it for next Christmas. I would love to win it now and give it to her. SHE saw the contest on twitter snd told me to enter 600 times. I told her we can only enter one time. Lol
This would be Awesome to win! I have two little girls that would love to welcome Grace Thomas into heir home. 🙂
There are so many different ways to play with Grace Thomas! Her baking theme and Paris theme gives the opportunity to use baking sets and travel sets from American Girl and other doll companies. I would love to win Grace!
Followed on Pinterest
I follow you on instagram as @jjak2003. I would love to win for my daughter. Thanks for the chance!
I would love to win Grace for my granddaughter, Nellie Grace. I follow on Pinterest as Kathy Davis (zizzerbear)
too sad i gave away both my american girl dolls when i was young… 🙁