American Girl was founded in 1986 by The Pleasant Company, which created a line of 18-inch dolls that depict 8-12 year old girls in a variety of clothing, ethnic backgrounds, and social classes, and even religious faiths.
All dolls are sold with small books that talk about characters and stories from the doll’s point of view and way of life.
Buyers can also purchase custom-made dolls that look like themselves, their children, or others. These create your own dolls were first produced in 2017.
In 1998, toy giant Mattel acquired The Pleasant Company and the American Girl doll line of toys.
The first American Girl brick-and-mortar store opened in Chicago in 1998. Today the company has international stores, with the newest location opening in Mexico City in 2015.
American Girl’s latest doll, “Kira”, has a storyline that includes two lesbian “aunts”. Mattel named Kira “Doll of the Year” for 2021, but some parents objected to the doll stating that it was an exploitation of children. Kira is one of the company’s best-selling dolls.
In February 2021, young black activist Marley Dias was given an American Doll with her likeness.
American Girl maintains a corporate office in Middleton, Wisconsin.
