Today, American Girl is debuting its latest BeForever character, Maryellen Larkin. An 18-inch doll with strawberry-blonde hair and hazel eyes, Maryellen comes with historically accurate 1950s doll outfits, including a poodle skirt and saddle shoes. American Girl is releasing numerous accessories to go with the doll, including a 30-piece diner set, a TV console that works with an iPad, and a jukebox that plays ’50s-style songs and connects to electronic music players.
Written by Valerie Tripp, the Maryellen stories introduce readers ages 8 and up to a key cultural theme of the 1950s: conformity versus individuality. Her stories are intended to reflect the era’s trends, including the growth of suburbia, the Baby Boom, geographic and economic mobility, new technology, rock ‘n’ roll, and postwar prejudice.
To celebrate Maryellen’s debut, American Girl retail stores will feature giveaways, crafts, and in-store activities. In addition, girls can explore the era with Maryellen’s Nifty ’50s Scrapbook, featuring photos, illustrations, video clips, games, and activities told from the character’s point of view. For parents and teachers, a free downloadable Maryellen Learning Guide, available at americangirl.com, explores themes and issues from the 1950s.
