Monday, August 5, 2019

Learning History With Samantha Parkington

Meet Samantha Parkington and American Girl

        "Samantha is an only child growing up during the Edwardian period (although American Girl designated her as Victorian). Her year is 1904. Orphaned at age five and raised by her wealthy Victorian-era grandmother, Mary Edwards, whom she called Grandmary, in fictional Mount Bedford, New York, Samantha befriends a poor servant girl named Nellie O'Malley. Eventually Samantha, Nellie and Nellie's young sisters are adopted by Samantha's uncle Gardner Edwards and aunt Cornelia. 
       The themes of Samantha's books include women's suffrage, child labor, and classism. Red Om Productions produced Samantha: An American Girl Holiday, in cooperation with American Girl. The show premiered on WB Television Network in November 2004 and was released to DVD soon thereafter. American Girl introduced the concept of "archiving" in October 2008 when it announced plans to cease production of Samantha and her collection (including Nellie). Samantha was then officially archived on May 31, 2009, but was later re-introduced in August 2014 as part of the BeForever reboot." Wikipedia
       Nellie O'Malley, Samantha's best friend, is an Irish immigrant who works for Samantha's neighbors and is befriended by Samantha. She personifies the working-class immigrant experience of the time and teaches Samantha about the conditions faced by children who are part of the work force. Nellie and her sisters, Bridget and Jenny, are orphaned and later adopted by Samantha's relatives, Gardner and Cornelia Edwards. In 2004, American Girl introduced a new line of Best Friend dolls with Nellie O'Malley debuting as Samantha's Best Friend in conjunction with the Samantha DVD release. Nellie was marketed with a small collection of clothing and a book written by Valerie Tripp, Nellie's Promise, which chronicles the character's growth and adjustment to her recent adoption. As Nellie was part of Samantha's collection, she was archived at the same time as Samantha. In 2014, with the return of Samantha and the release of BeForever, American Girl decided to move away from the Best Friends line. It is unlikely that Nellie will be re-released. 
For your 18 inch doll sized calling cards.
Our Artifacts for The Samantha Parkington Doll:
Crafting In the Past: What kinds of crafts were popular in 1904?
Online Research for American Girl, Samantha Parkington, According to Themes Covered in The Books:

Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlors and Tea Rooms:
Economic Class in America 1900:
The Industrial Era in America:
The Orphan Trains:
The Journey and Tragic Ending of The Titanic:
Samantha Parkington Books by Pleasant Doll Company and American Girl Doll Company:
  1. Meet Samantha
  2. Samantha Learns a Lesson
  3. Samantha's Surprise
  4. Happy Birthday, Samantha!
  5. Samantha Saves the Day
  6. Changes for Samantha
  7. Samantha and the Missing Pearls
  8. Samantha's Special Talent
  9. Samantha's Winter Party
  10. Samantha Saves the Wedding
  11. Samantha's Blue Bicycle
  12. The Curse of Ravenscourt
  13. The Stolen Sapphire
  14. The Cry of the Loon
  15. Clue in the Castle Tower
  16. Danger in Paris
  17. Welcome to Samantha's World
  18. Samantha's Ocean Liner Adventure
  19. Samantha's Wedding Memories
  20. Samantha's World
  21. The Lilac Tunnel
  22. Real Stories from My Time: The Titanic
Samantha Parkington Doll Fan Videos:
Film and Theater About Young Girls from Samantha's Time: Rags to Riches Themes:
 Advanced Reading: Historical Fiction that takes place during at the turn of the 20th Century, The Victorian Era, The Industrial Era in America:
  • Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady, RMS Titanic, 1912 by Ellen Emerson White 
  • A Coal Miner's Bride: The Diary of Anetka Kaminska, Lattimer, Pennsylvania, 1896 by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
  • Color Me Dark: The Diary of Nellie Lee Love, the Great Migration North, Chicago, Illinois, 1919 by Patricia McKissack
  • A Time for Courage: The Suffragette Diary of Kathleen Bowen, Washington, D.C., 1917 by Kathryn Lasky
  • Hear My Sorrow: The Diary of Angela Denoto, a Shirtwaist Worker, New York City, 1909 by Deborah Hopkinson  
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Explore Outer Space With Luciana Vega

Luciana goes to space camp.
       Luciana Vega is the sixteenth Girl of The Year. She was released on January 1, 2018, and is a space loving eleven-year-old Chilean girl from Virginia who wants to be the first person to walk on Mars. Luciana is the second Latina American Girl of the Year made by American Girl, the first being Marisol.
Our Artifacts/Crafts for The Luciana Vega Doll:
Ponder The Universe!
Online Research for Themes found in Luciana Vega's Books:
What is an astronaut?:
What is a space mission?:
Where a space suit for protection:
Creating NASA:
Rockets and Shuttles:
Milestones in Outer Space:
Space Crew:
Mission Control:
Training for Space Exploration:
Launch Gear:
Sick in Space:
Microgravity:
Everyday Life in Outer Space:
Getting Home:
Accidents In Space:
Future Astronauts and Colonies: 
Going To Space Camp:
American Girl Luciana Vega Books:
  • Luciana
  • Lucians Braving the Deep
  • Luciana Out of This World
Fun Space Themed Music Video:
Luciana's Fan Videos:
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My Doll

"Kitty's doll named Rose"

MY DOLL
( 1852 )

I have a little doll,
I take care of her clothes;
And she has flaxen hair,
And her name is Rose.

She has pretty violet eyes
And a very small nose
And a sweet little mouth,
And her name is Rose. 

She has a little bed,
And when the daylight goes
I tuck her up in it,
And say, "Good night, dear Rose."
Author Unknown
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Sunday, August 4, 2019

How to neatly trim the fringe of a doll's rug

Left, neatly tape down the fringe before cutting it. Center, repeat for both ends. Right, a perfectly even edge.
       I purchased a small 'rug', 18"x12", from resale. These small covers were fashionable back in the 1930s and 40s for use as protective coverings for chairs and tables. This one was in exceptional condition. However, the fringe was far too long for a dollhouse rug. I trimmed it by combing out the yarn fringe and taping it down with masking tape to a flat pile rug. Then I cut the ends off with sharp scissors. Now it looks as good as new!
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Best Friends Club Dolls

BFC ink doll review from 2010. These dolls
 have been retired but you may still find them at resale,
 auction and on Amazon.

       The Best Friends Club were originally sold by Target but now are available at Amazon or second hand markets like Ebay. All of the dolls come in both 18" and 11" sizes. The following descriptions belong to the 18" versions:
  1. Kaitlin - has light blond hair with green acrylic eyes.
  2. Addison - has light brown hair and dark blue eyes.
  3. Calista - has wavy dark hair and dark eyes. She is the African American doll of this series.
  4. Aliesha - has very dark brown hair and brown eyes. She is the twin sister to Noelle and a Latino doll.
  5. Noelle - has very dark brunette hair and eyes. She is the identical twin sister to Aliesha and a Latino doll
  6. Gianna - has super dark auburn hair, dark blue eyes and freckles. 
  7. CJ - has hazel to blue acrylic eye color and dirty blond hair . He is the only BFC boy doll. He love sports and keeping busy.
  8. Yuko -  has long black hair and dark eyes. She is the Asian American doll of this series.
  9. Carmen - has green eyes and reddish auburn hair. BFC doll was the Hispanic pen pal doll from Mexico. (2010)
       "The Best Friends Club (BFC, Ink) helps girls deal with the real life challenges facing them today. It's about self-development, and the importance of friendship. 
       Through the lives of its diverse young characters, girls gain insight to relevant issues, from helping the local community and environment to dealing with friendship fallouts, family issues, bullying and first crushes. 
       BFC, Ink teaches our daughters about teamwork and friendship as well as giving them the joy that comes from belonging to a group of amazing friends." quotes from former website 

Every 18" doll shares common body features and accessories:
  • 15 points of articulation
  • rooted hair
  • pierced ears
  • acrylic open eyes
  • painted lips, eye-brows and eye-lashes
  • painted on underwear
  • a journal with a lock and key
  • two changes of clothes
Doll Clothes Patterns for BFC Dolls: Because BFC dolls have very thin body types and their clothing cannot be shared with other 18" dolls made by Mattel or Alexander Doll Companies. There are also 11'' doll versions of the BFC Ink Club Dolls that have painted features and far less articulation. 
Best Friends Club Doll Fan Videos:

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Learn About Information Technology With Lindsey Bergman

"Lindsey" by Chryssa Atkinson
       Described as a girl "who is eager to help", Lindsey's self-titled book details the difficulties her impulsive attempts at helping with causes. The character is Jewish and the book references her brother's Bar Mitzvah experience and party plans. A small collection consisting of a scooter set and laptop accompanied her release. She is the first girl of the year released in 2001 and retired in 2002.
Our Artifacts for The Lindsey Bergman Doll:
Online Research for Related Themes in Lindsey Bergman Books:
Teaching Children to Use Technology Safely:
Scooter Safety for Kids: 
Lindsey's Dog is A Dachshund:
Fan Video for The Lindsey Bergman Doll:
Review about Lindsey doll by xCanadensis.
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The Long Ago Doll

THE LONG AGO DOLL
Way up in Grandma's attic where
Some little dusty shadows creep,
I found my mother's Mandy Claire
Inside a trunk asleep.

Her yellow dress was trimmed with lace,
Her hair was very black and thin,
And camphor balls were in the place
That she was dreaming in.

And long ago - and long ago -
A little girl that used to be
Left Mandy Claire a-sleeping so -
Before there was a me.

So Mandy Claire, is waiting till -
But I got sort of lonesome then
And while she slept there very still
I tiptoed out again.

by Marjorie Barrows, 1837
 
A Long Ago Doll and Grandmother's antiques.

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Learn About Life on A Ranch With Nicki Fleming

"Nicki" and "Thanks to Nicki" books by Howard Creel.
       Nicki Fleming is an animal lover living on her family's Colorado ranch who volunteers to train a service dog named Sprocket when her mother cannot fulfill this responsibility due to a pregnancy. Nicki also faces friendship difficulties which test her loyalties. Nicki was the first Girl of the Year to have two books: Nicki and Thanks to Nicki, both by Ann Howard Creel.
Online Research About Themes Found in Nicki Fleming Books:
Ranch Life in Colorado:
Artifacts Here Related to Nicki Fleming Doll:
FFA - Future Farmers of America
Training Service Dogs:
Books about American Girl Character Nicki Fleming:
  • Nicki
  • Thanks to Nicki
Fan Video for American Girl Doll, Nicki Fleming:
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Learning History With Josefina Montoya

Meet Josephina, An American Girl

       Josefina Montoya is a young Mexican girl living in New Mexico with her extended family. She and her family (including her oldest sister, Ana who is married to Tomas and has two sons, and her two other sisters, vain and headstrong Francisca and practical and sensible Clara) must adapt following the death of their mother before the books and the introduction of their mother's sister, Tía Dolores (who later marries Josefina's widowed father), to the family circle. 
       Josefina dreams of becoming a healer like her grandmother and is taught in this by her aunt, Magdalena, her father's sister. Josefina has a pet goat named Sombrita. Themes include adjustment to loss, day-to-day life of the Mexican people, and the cultural and societal changes and influences that occurred once Mexico opened trade routes with the US. Josefina's family speaks Spanish and there are Spanish words and phrases in her books which are defined in the glossary.
Our artifacts for the Josefina Montoya doll:
Crafting In the Past: What crafts were popular in 1894?
Research Based On Themes Found in Josefina's Books:
Online Learning About Mexican American Culture and History:
Heritage New Mexico.
Santa Fe Then and Now:
American Girl Doll, Josefina Montoya's Books:
  • Meet Josefina
  • Josefina Learns a Lesson
  • Josefina's Surprise
  • Happy Birthday, Josefina!
  • Josefina Saves The Day
  • Changes for Josefina
  • Secrets in the Hills
  • The Glowing Heart
  • Josefina's Song
  • Thanks to Josefina
  • Again, Josefina!
  • A Reward for Josefina
Fan Video's About Josefina Montoya Doll:
Advanced Reading: Historical Fiction about young women living in Colonial Latin America:
  • A Line in The Sand: The Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence: Gonzales, Texas, 1836
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Thursday, July 25, 2019

A Valentine for Old Dolls

1852 daguerreotype of a black rag doll.

 
A VALENTINE FOR OLD DOLLS 
by Rachel Field
Let others sing of cooing doves,
Of beating hearts and new-found loves,
These my poor rhymes shall tell the graces
Of china, wax or wooden faces;
The charm of curls or painted braids,
Oh, sweet, perennially cheerful maids.
Your smiles shall last though nations fall,
And the young hands that dressed you all
In flowered flounce and ribbons gay,
Long since to dust be laid away.
Your years you wear like faint perfume
Of rose-leaves in a quiet room,
When winter at the threshold knocks;
Like some old tune a music-box
Tinkles as soft as phantom rain
Falling beyond a window pane.
And so, where'er you be to-day-
On parlor shelf; packed snug away
In attic camphor--still I'll praise
Your stiff-set limbs, your timeless gaze,
Knowing full well when I am gone
Thus you will sit and thus smile on.
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Saturday, July 20, 2019

Learn About the Musical World of Tenney and Logan

"You're the Music In Me" original song for Tenney's character.

        Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Tenney Grant is an aspiring young songwriter who dreams to express herself through music. The eponymous first book in the series by Kellen Hertz focuses on her efforts at songwriting and the opportunity to perform at the famed Bluebird Cafe. Unlike dolls from the Girl of the Year line, Tenney, along with Logan Everett, are marketed as regular characters to be sold for an extended period of time than as limited edition dolls sold only for a year before being discontinued.
       Tenney's sidekick and bandmate, Logan Everett is, in a break from series tradition, the first 18-inch boy doll from American Girl. Released alongside the main character, he is depicted as a drummer for Tenney's band, and as with Tenney, the Logan doll also comes with a modified hand to hold musical instruments.
Our Artifact/Accessories for The Tenney and Logan Dolls:
Online Research Into Themes Found in Tenney Grant Books:
Showcase Tenney's Songs:
Nashville, Tennessee Music & Fun:
American Girl Tenney Grant Books:
  • Tenney
  • Tenney in the Key of Friendship
  • Tenney Shares the Stage
  • A Song for the Season
More Fan Video About Tenney and Logan Dolls:
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