Earlier this week, popular doll brand American Girl made their books about Black girls or written by Black authors free to the public. The move came with a lengthy statement about their commitment to racial equality and education. “From the beginning, American Girl has created timeless stories that help bridge the past and present. Each demonstrates how strong women can change the course of history—especially during our country’s most troubling times—with courage, compassion, and resilience,” the Mattel brand wrote. The announcement included a video message from Denise Lewis Patrick, who has written multiple books for the brand. She spoke of the importance of the stories we tell and share, and how they can challenge, teach, and uplift us.
American Girl has made a name for itself in households by selling dolls alongside books about the characters’ lives and struggles. They first made waves for selling history-focused dolls whose narratives told of young girls’ lives throughout American History. Now accessible on their website are downloadable books about Makena, Evette, Maritza, Gabriela McBride, Melody Ellison, Cécil Rey, Marie-Grace Gardener, and the brand’s first Black doll Addy Walker. Many of these books explicitly reference racial issues, and American Girl has included readers’ guides for Gabriela, Melody, Cécil, Marie-Grace, and Addy. There are also teachers’ guides available for Melody and Addy, as each character is followed through an important time in civil rights history (Addy in the Civil War, and Melody in the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s). It is unknown if their newest Black character — Claudie Wells, a girl living in 1920s Harlem — will join the now accessible lineup.
The decision by the company comes at a contentious, but conscious time. The literary branch of the brand has seen its books attacked and banned in some areas. Critical Race Theory is a hot-button issue, not just in educational spaces but the social consciousness at large. Despite this, American Girl has moved to uphold and defend its dedication to education and equality. As they write themselves, “… use [these titles] to educate, empower, promote understanding, spark important conversations, and create change.”