Comments on: The American Girl Place store in Chicago: where dolls rule!

By: Baby Bump | 30 Weeks Pregnant

Baby Bump | 30 Weeks Pregnant — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:52:12 +0000

[...] clock was already ticking and it was just becoming a physical need for her. Read more on Baby BumpOn Sunday, Jennifer Garner went al fresco shopping at The Grove in Los Angeles with daughters Violet…er or sister to play with: During the excursion, their mom, 39, bore an unmistakable Baby [...]

By: AMERICAN GIRL DOLL BOOK | Kids and Family Products

AMERICAN GIRL DOLL BOOK | Kids and Family Products — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:34:45 +0000

[...] american girl doll book familytravellogue.com [...]

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:51:45 +0000

I went to an ag place yesterday with my mom and you were right, it was pretty good. Too bad I haven’t got a doll yet…

By: Someone

Someone — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:50:26 +0000

What we do is set a buget- for example not over 100 bucks. THat way you ddont go overboard spending. Also, encouraging the kids to spend their own money means less of it out of our wallets.

By: julie prawira

julie prawira — Mon, 11 May 2009 02:18:35 +0000

I like american doll, your blog is real good.

By: Linda

Linda — Sat, 09 May 2009 03:35:52 +0000

The only American Girl store I’ve been to is the one at Mall of America, and we didn’t buy anything, so I can’t comment on that.

I wanted to mention, though, that the appeal of the American Girls books reaches to boys as well as girls. My son has read most of the original books and especially likes the newer American Girl mysteries. All of my kids (2 boys, 2 girls) like the American Girl movies.

Last weekend, we attended a program at Minnesota’s Historic Fort Snelling that combined an American Girl doll drawing with an educational program detailing the life of Kirsten in the 1860′s, when the fort was active. They’ll have similar programs with different dolls during their World War II and Civil War Days. Although billed for girls, my boys participated in the program as well.

The history in the American Girls series is interesting for children; I wish there would be some American Boys as well so they wouldn’t seem to be for girls only.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:31:12 +0000

Hi Soultravelers3 – Well, we’ve known each other for awhile, so a positive endorsement from you carries a lot of weight with me. Sounds like your approach (starting with the books and movies where possible, and then moving into doll territory) is a good plan.

Thanks very much for your detailed response and confirmation that a budget and an American Girl store visit can go hand-in-hand!

By: Soultravelers3

Soultravelers3 — Fri, 08 May 2009 08:34:28 +0000

I think if you focus on the historical fiction, educational benefits, along with that “pluckiness” of the girls, then American Girls can be a wonderful benefit for girls.

My child was a very early reader & read the first Harry Potter book at 4, but finding appropriate books for her was/is always a challenge.

She got addicted to the books, long before she met the dolls. They are filled with historical information & have companion pieces that are very educational ( in a fun way).

We bought a bunch of the books on ebay & even have them with us on our open ended trip around the world since they are educational and fun. They are a great jumping off point for history & homeschool lessons.

She was never a doll person either, but the collection aspect with these appeals to her because of the books. She loves the DVD’s too which are really high quality, educational & wholesome.

The big dolls are expensive, so she just got one at 4 and she just says hello to it on webcam calls to Grandma. But, we did bring a set of the mini-dolls with us on our trip around the world! European kids are fascinated by them & it helps her stay connected to her home culture as she immerses in another. She doesn’t really play with them, but they are a nice addition to the books & she loves to display them in her room in Spain.

We went to the American Girl store when we were in NYC & she loved it. We travel light so she knew that we would only be buying one small thing, but still had a blast. We actually gave into 3 things ( a book, a period night gown for her like Samantha’s & an American Girl jacket- she will be able to use ALL for years.) Not cheap, but frugal because of the use we have gotten & will get out of them.

We’re frugal types, so find that one can enjoy American Girl without going broke. It has been an excellent investment for our child and given her a real love of history, historical fiction & a great homeschool supplement.

It has even been handy as a source for our travels ( like when she re-read some Kirsten books when we were in Sweden which was that American girl’s country of origin as well as the country of some of my daughter’s ancestors).

Yes, one can definitely enjoy the benefits of AG on a tight budget!