Addy Walker may be the most interesting doll in the American Girl historical series, because she represents the American Civil War and the fight against slavery. If you have a daughter or granddaughter of African American descent, you must forget those bouncing baby dolls with batteries and get your daughter a fabulous doll that will warm her heart even more than seeing Sasha and Malia in the White House. And, my daughter, who is white, begged for an Addy doll when she was young.
Meet Addy: An American Girl
Addy is a great role model for all girls. In the exciting book, Meet Addy, An American Girl, set in 1864, nine-year-old Addy Walker is portrayed as a strong, courageous, and loving child. She grows up in a close-knit slave family, however her dad and brother are sold to another owner just before the family makes their escape.
Addy is brave and willing to risk her own safety to help others. She and her mother run away from the plantation by going through the ocean. And, while Addy can swim, her mother cannot, so it is scary for both of them. The pair evades soldiers and continues on to a “safe house” from which they are set aboard a ship bound for Philadelphia, the city of freedom. Addy has a hard time adjusting to city life, but she is a tough, smart girl who does well in school. She learns to read and write as soon as she settles into Pennsylvania, and she wants to be a teacher when she grows up.
Is Addy a Good Doll for White Kids?
Addy is a great doll for white girls, too. This doll gives you and your daughter a perfect opportunity to talk about slavery and to talk about the fact that some people think they are better than others. I believe that Addy and all American Girl Dolls are fabulous for six-year-old girls, even though the label recommends them for ages eight and up. Addy's hair might get destroyed due to constant brushing by your little one, but Addy will still be wonderful.
Other Dark-Skinned American Girl Dolls
Addy doll is not the only option from American Girls. Here are other ideas:
- Mini Addy is only $22 dollars.
- Bitty Baby with dark skin, painted hair, and brown eyes is a great, durable, and lovable baby doll for $45. The cute face makes up for the hair.
- American Girls have other dolls with different hair, skin, and eye-color combinations, so you might be able to find the perfect doll there if you are shopping for a mixed-race child.
Other African American Dolls
There are lots of other fabulous dolls of color that don't need batteries. Both of my daughters have dark hair and one of them wore glasses, so I know how important it is for you to find a toy that looks like your daughter or granddaughter. It's a matter of self esteem.
- Gotz Muffin 13" – African American Baby Doll: I like that she has curly hair that girls can braid or play with.
- Corolle Les Dollies Dolly Tina 16" Doll: Dolly Tina is my favorite because my nickname is Tina and this baby has an adorable face. Other stores show Tina with an afro.
- Corolle Mon Premier Calin Naïma – 12" Doll: Corolle and Gotz are two of the best baby doll manufacturers in the world. I think they are better than the well-known brands. Naïma has no hair, but has a cute face. Just the right size to go everywhere. (Please check choking hazard. I don't know why it has a warning.)
- Manhattan Toy Groovy Girl dolls, Latasha: She’s as hip as Barbie, but she's more like a real girl.
- New Karito Kids Lulu: Karito Kids (21” dolls) “live” in different countries. Lulu is from Kenya and she has had a makeover, with nice natural-looking hair to play with. She’s an 11-year-old girl who likes to play soccer. And, like the American Girl Dolls, Lulu has books. Well, Lulu is another favorite of mine, but to me she looks like a hip Londoner. You can find Lulu at FatBrainToys.com, Amazon.com, and lots of online internet stores.
I can't decide which of these dolls I like the best and all of the dolls I have mentioned are great. However, if you are looking for a doll for a girl who’s six or above, and you want an educational toy, go for Addy.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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