Monday, June 17, 2019

Learning History With Julie Albright and Ivy Ling

"Meet Julie" cover
       Julie Albright is a young girl growing up in San Francisco, California in 1974–75. Her six book series, written by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Robert Hunt, focuses on various changes and societal upheavals in American society during that time period: divorce, feminism, gender equality in school sports, environmentalism, and the disability rights movement. The America's Bicentennial celebration is also emphasized later in the series. Julie was released September 10, 2007 and is the first character portrayed from a divorced family by American Girl.  A short independent film about Julie was uploaded on American Girl's YouTube account, starring Jolie Ledford in the title role.
      Ivy Ling, Julie's best friend, is a Chinese American girl living in San Francisco. Good Luck, Ivy by Lisa Yee focuses on Ivy's conflict with her love of gymnastics and family traditions and responsibilities, and its "Looking Back" section discusses Chinese-American history. The Ivy doll debuted with Julie and was the first Best Friend doll to be released at the same time as the main character. 
"Good Luck, Ivy" cover.
Living In The City By The Bay, Yesterday and Today:
The Endangered Species of California:
America's 200th Birthday:
Equal Rights for Young Girls in American Schools, 1970s:
"Feel Good'' Disco, Folk, Country and Rock Music etc.. from The 1970s: Listen and guess which genre is which! These songs played on the radio when I was small daily.
Ivy Ling's book:
  • Good Luck Ivy
Julie Albright's books:
  • Meet Julie
  • Julie Tells Her Story
  • Happy New Year, Julie!
  • Julie and the Eagles
  • Julie's Journey
  • Changes for Julie
  • The Tangled Web
  • The Puzzle of the Paper Daughter
  • The Silver Guitar
  • Lost in The City
  • Message in a Bottle
Fan Pics for Julie Albright and Ivy Ling Dolls from YouTube:
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Learning History with The Maryellen Larkin Doll

"Maryellen" cover
      Maryellen Larkin is the fourteenth Historical Character by American Girl, representing the 1950s. She was released on August 27, 2015, and is the first exclusive BeForever character. Hailing from Daytona Beach, Florida, Maryellen is an enthusiastic and imaginative girl, longing to stand out but often feels lost in the shuffle of her big, busy family. Her favorite TV shows include Davy Crockett and The Lone Ranger, and she dreams up episodes where she gets to be the hero. Maryellen has strawberry-blonde hair with bangs up in a ponytail and green eyes. All three of her books, written by Valerie Tripp, were released on August 27, 2015.
       A short film based on her stories, with newcomer Harlie Galloway playing the title character, was uploaded on the video sharing site YouTube in November 2015 as part of American Girl's venture into digital content and independent film production. In addition to the short, a direct-to-video special entitled An American Girl Story - Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary Christmas, starring Alyvia Alyn Lind as Maryellen Larkin and was released by Amazon to Prime subscribers on November 25, 2016.
 Online Research for Themes Found in Maryellen's Books:
 Our Online Artifacts for The American Girl Maryellen Doll:
  1. Vinyl Clip Art Records for Doll Crafts 
  2. DIY House Decorating from 1958  
  3. Some old technologies make wonderful toys!
  4. Decoupage a Spool Canister Set for Maryellen's Diner 
  5. Appliances From The 1950s (European)
  6. Santa's A Real Doll in 1955 
  7. Whatever your child wears...her doll wears too! 
  8. Soda Fountain/ Ice Cream Parlor Clip Art Pages 
  9. Back-To-School jumpers, separates and corduroy jackets in 1956...
  10. Craft a Christmas Ham from Paper Mache 
  11. Crafting the T.V. dinner for American Girl doll lovers... 
  12. DIY 8 Different Soda Fountain Milkshakes for Maryellen's Diner!
  13. A Juke Box for a 1950s Doll Diner
  14. What is inside Maryellen Larkin's Refrigerator? - listing of accessories, history and links for hand-crafted replacements  
  15. Paint pretend Saddle shoes for an 18" doll
  16. "Bite To Eat Diner" versus "Seaside Diner"
  17. Retro Radios from 1950 - original advertising 
T. V. Shows that Maryellen loves:
Research Popular Culture of the 1950s in the United States:
 The Popular "Rock n' Roll" of The 1950s: Jukebox Favorites (most of these are live)
 Teen Dance Shows From The 1950s:
Contemporary Musical Theater About The 1950s: These are parodies folks.
 Maryellen Larkin's Books:
  • The One and Only
  • Taking Off
  • The Finders-Keepers Rule
  • The Runaway
Fan Video Picks for American Girl Doll, Maryellen Larkin:
Maryellen Music Video About Maryellen Larkin, 
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Sunday, June 16, 2019

Learn About Environmental Activism With Kailey Hopkins

American Girl Doll, Kailey Hopkins,
came with only one book, simply titled
"Kailey" by Amy Goldman Koss.
       Kailey Hopkins lives near tide pools in California and is an avid swimmer and surfer. When development threatens to destroy the tide pools she loves and surfs in, she and her best friend engineer a protest to make a difference. Kailey's collection included various beach outfits and accessories. She was the second girl of the year, released in 2003, retired in 2004.
Our Artifacts for the Kailey Hopkins Doll:
Themes Associated With Kailey's Story:
Saving Our Shorelines:
Learn About Tide Pools:
Research How Women Can Make A Difference Through Environmental Activism:
  1. Learn About Dana Miller director of Grow Local Colorado.
  2. Sylvia Earle pioneered a movement called Mission Blue for ocean exploration.
  3. Winona LaDuke is the Executive Director of Honor the Earth and White Earth Land Recovery Project at the White Earth Reservation, Minnesota. A Fight for the People's Land.
  4. Climate activist Anna Jane Joyner working with the Western North Carolina Alliance and co-founder of creation care alliance and videos from The YEARS Project.
  5. Dr. Bhatt works with many women through the Navdanya Project ("nine seeds") in order to save seeds for biodiversity conservation. This foundation from Dehradun, India.
  6. Read about One Plastic Bag, a recycling movement that began with Isatou Ceesay.
  7. Theo Colborn, was the Founder and President of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX), in Eckert, Colorado. "Our mission is to reduce the production and use of chemicals that interfere with healthy hormone function." TEDX website.
  8. Professor Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement (GBM) in Nyeri, Kenya. 
  9. May Boeve helped start a website called 350.org.
  10. Katherine Hayhoe, a climate scientist has an interesting website for her research here.
  11. Joelle Novey (interviewed) is the executive director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light.
  12. Maggie Fox is the President and CEO, Climate Protection Action Fund or ACE. Their mission, "We educate young people on the science of climate change and empower them to take action."
  13. Majora Carter is an American urban revitalization strategist and public radio host from the South Bronx area of New York City. Carter founded and led the non-profit environmental justice solutions corporation Sustainable South Bronx from 2001 onward, before entering the private sector in 2008.  Visit the Majora Carter Group.
  14. Read Jessica Posner's Story and visit Shining Hope for Communities, Kenya  
  15. See film by Bata Bhurji and visit Barefoot College in Rajasthan, India
Crafts for Kailey Hopkins Doll:
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    Thursday, June 13, 2019

    Learn About New Orleans With Cécile and Marie-Grace Dolls

    American Girl Books by Denise Lewis Patrick
           Cécile Rey is from a rich African American family that originated from New Orleans, Louisiana. She loves listening to her grandfather's tales about the sea. She meets Marie-Grace during one of her singing lessons. At first, she is not fond of her because she is white, but eventually warms up to her and becomes her best friend. When Yellow Fever strikes her brother, she decides to use her gifts to help him and others. Themes include the loss of family and caring for others in need, and volunteering. Cecile speaks French and her French words are described in the glossary in the back of her book. Though Cécile Rey and Marie-Grace are best friends, they shared the same level of importance and a few items in their collection as well as a book, unlike other Best Friend characters. Cecile was also the second African American character made by American Girl. The first being Addy and the third being Melody. Cecile was archived with Marie-Grace, Ivy, and Ruthie in 2014 to make room for BeForever and the return of Samantha.
           Marie-Grace Gardner is a girl from New Orleans. Similar to Josefina, her mother died before the events of the series. She makes a friend with Cécile Rey in her first days in New Orleans, although the latter was not interested at first. However, changes are in the air. Soon, Marie-Grace's singing teacher is found sick with yellow fever. Her father, who is a doctor, saves not only the teacher, but others in his aid. She also rescues a baby and forms a close bond with other children. 
    New Orleans in 1853:
      Yellow Fever Epidemic:
      Orphans In America, 1853:
      Mardi Gras for Kids:
      Fan Videos for Cécile Rey and Marie-Grace Gardner:
      • Meet Marie Grace
      • Meet Cecile
      • Marie-Grace and the Orphans
      • Troubles for Cecile
      • Mare-Grace Makes a Difference
      • The Hidden Gold
      • The Cameo Necklace
      • The Haunted Opera
      Advanced Reading: Historical Fiction
      • Look to the Hills: The Diary of Lozette Moreau, a French slave Girl by Patricia C. McKissack 
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      Tuesday, June 4, 2019

      Learning Native Culture, Lifestyle, and History With Kaya

      Some of Beforever books about Kaya.
             "Kaya is a young girl from the Nimiipuu or Nez Perce tribe living in the pre-contact Northwest. Themes in her core series focus on leadership, compassion, courage, and attachment. Chronologically, Kaya's adventures are the earliest of the historical characters. Kaya is depicted as brave and outgoing, but careless and thoughtless, and wants to be a leader of her people. Her role model is a female warrior named Swan Circling. Created in collaboration with a consultation team that included representatives from the Nez Perce tribe, Kaya is the only Native American doll made by American Girl to date. Kaya is the only doll in the series not to show teeth, per tribal custom. Kaya is also the first doll in the series to not follow the book naming customs established by previously-released characters – the second book in the series is titled Kaya's Escape instead of Kaya Learns a Lesson." Wikipedia
      Online Research for Themes Found in Kaya's Books:
      Our Artifacts for Kaya's Stories and Native Culture, History, Arts:
      More Links to Kaya Related Learning and Lapbooks:
      Poetry About Native Americans: Culture, Legends, Language and Folklore
      Native American Girls Share Online:
      National Parks, Libraries & Museums Lessons In Native Crafts:
      Video & Articles for Kaya Doll Related Fan Culture:
      Advanced Reading: Historical Fiction About The Indigenous People/Native American Women of North America:
      • The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow: The Diary of Sarah Nita, a Navajo Girl, New Mexico, 1864 by Ann Turner 
      • My Heart Is on the Ground: The Diary of Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux Girl, Carlisle Indian School, Pennsylvania, 1880 by Ann Rinaldi
      • The Birchbark House: by Louise Erdrich - "Omakayas, a seven-year-old Native American girl of the Ojibwa tribe, lives through the joys of summer and the perils of winter on an island in Lake Superior in 1847."
      Kaya's facial details reflect Nez Perce Reviews.

      More Native American Doll Characters with Books:
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      Learn About Hawaii with Kanani Akina and Nanea Mitchell

      Meet Nanea Michell and the author of her books!

              Kanani is the ninth Girl of the Year character; she and her collection were released in 2011. Kanani is the second multiracial character, following Jess McConnell. Her father is of Japanese and Hawaiian descent, and her mother is French and German. Hailing from Kaua'i, she helps her family run a shave ice shop and is passionate about helping people by sharing the aloha spirit and protecting Hawaiian wildlife.
             The Kanani doll has medium skin, hazel eyes, and long thigh-length light brown hair. She comes with a kukui nut necklace, a pink flower in her hair, and a light-blue floral print dress.
             Nanea Mitchell is the sixteenth historical character and the 3rd BeForever exclusive. She is from Honolulu growing up in the early 1940's representing the bombings at Pearl Harbor that ushered the U.S. out of The Great Depression and into World War II. She may be the youngest in her Ohana (family), but she still wants to be useful and help. But before she can prove that she is ready for more responsibility, Japan attacks the military base in Pearl Harbor where her father works.  
      Our Artifacts for Hawaii Themed Projects, Lapbooks, and Journals:
       Online Research Into Hawaiian Culture:
       Hawaiian Native Tongue:
       Hawaiian Island Environmental Resources:
       Polynesia Culture:
       The Attack at Pearl Harbor:
        Kanani Akina doll Fan Videos and Collections:
       Books About American Girl, Kanani Akina:
      1. Aloham Kanani
      2. Good Job Kanani 
      Nanea Mitchell doll Fan Videos, Articles and Collections:
       Books About American Girl, Nanea Michell:
      • Growing Up with Aloha
      • Hula for the Home Front
      • The Legend of the Shark Goddess
      • Prints in the Sand: My Journey with Nanea
      • Real Stories From My Time: Pearl Harbor
      More Reading: Historical Fiction
      • Early Sunday Morning: the Pearl Harbor of Amber Billows by Barry Denenberg - diary about the Pearl Harbor Attack in 1941 from the perspective of a 12 year-old girl
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