Most little girls dream of getting their first American Girl doll. With something for everyone, American Girl (AG) has 11 stores all over the nation and has sold more than 36 million dolls since its start in 1986.
The company started when former educator Pleasant Rowland began to create educational, historically-based dolls that weren’t baby dolls or adult dolls like Barbie. In order to show empowering stories, the company released Molly McIntire, Samantha Parkington and Kirsten Larson as the first American Girl dolls. The company wanted to tell a variation of historically accurate and inspiring narratives that make all little girls feel seen, so they made dolls that escaped slavery, survived the Civil War and fought for civil rights during the 1970s.
Senior Morgan Layhue stated, “For some, they grew up to possess the qualities of what was once the doll that inspired them. American Girl dolls are a little girl’s imaginary best friend.”
In 2025, the narrative of the doll took a different twist, and it wasn’t received well by consumers. Summer McKinny, the Doll of the Year, has a different look and storyline.
On the American Girl website, the text about this doll states, “I am a dog lover, craft maker, and great baker. And my big idea? To launch a small business of my own.”
Some fans are thrilled by this character, since she is the first doll from the state of Maryland. However, her doll clothes are very bright and untraditional. Fans call her “childish,” while others argue back, stating how the dolls are mostly for children. For little girls who want to be leaders, bosses or anyone who is into exciting fashion and pets, this doll is a match!
“As a little girl who had American Girl dolls, I would definitely have wanted the Summer McKinny doll. I like her dress and all of the colors on it, and I am a big fan of her purse!” shared Senior Addison Mercurio.
As for this September, Maritza Ochoa is the Doll of the Month. As a half Bolivian-half Mexican American soccer player who dreams of playing for the U.S women’s soccer team, her story is very different from the current doll of the year, as she deals with themes of racism, deportation, and immigration. The 2026 doll was formally revealed on September 17, 2025, and was in attendance at an AG brunch celebration event on September 20, 2025. Many are speculating that this doll might be from an exotic location and be a dancer or performer based on trends from past years.
Before the doll’s announcement, Mercurio added, “I’m hoping the 2026 American Girl Doll will have blonde hair, and like to ski. Most of the dolls go to tropical places or ride horses, but I’m hoping we can have more of a ‘winter’ doll.”
While some care about her storyline and looks, others care about her personality.
“I hope she will be someone quiet and reserved, but also passionate and driven about her future because I feel like that’s similar to the way I felt growing up,” commented Layhue.
On September 17th, Raquel Reyes had her debut. It was revealed that she is 10 year old Mexican-American from Kansas City. She loves pickleball, DJing and working at her family’s ice cream shop.
As the country moves past Summer McKinny and onto the next doll of the year, Raquel Reyes, it’s hard to predict what will come next for the company. Will the doll return to a traditional American Girl story, or keep modernizing with the times? No matter what, American Girl dolls and their stories will last forever in little girls’ hearts and keep flourishing for many years to come.
