When it comes to choosing a gift for children, parents and the elderly often wonder what could be an appropriate and appropriate gift. From birthdays to New Year’s gifts, the books, toys, and games that dominate our choices often have layered issues that often go unnoticed. For example, when you decide to give your little girl a doll, the first option that comes to mind is invariably a Barbie. And the debates around the dolls are endless and cannot be ignored. From absurd body proportions to lavish makeup and of course fair skin color, there are issues that engrave incorrect ideas on the minds of young people.
Last year, in an effort to combat such stereotypes, we saw many artists who didn’t paint dolls, gave them a human touch, and tried to create a positive impact by getting them inspired. of real life icons and captions. In India, there was a doll inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But it’s always a feat when famous brands do the same.
Read | From Albert Einstein to the Dalai Lama: this Italian artist creates dolls to inspire and educate children
Famous doll maker American Girl has offered the world to celebrate 2017 with great news. The company launched its very first African American Girl of the Year doll. The popular toy maker has released the limited edition “Girl of the Year” dolls for the past 15 years, inspired by real-life heroes and icons, but they have rarely released dolls that weren’t. white.
Read | Racially inclusive doll line aims to celebrate colored childhood
The new doll for 2017 is a poet and dancer named Gabriela McBride, who has used both art forms to overcome stuttering. In a press release, Gabriela is described as a “true creative talent” who uses poetry to help “break down barriers” and overcome her “personal challenge” of stuttering. The 18 inch doll has brown eyes, dark brown curly hair and is not wearing makeup.
“When talking gets scary, I focus on expressing my true feelings – My poetry is my power.” – Gabriela McBride # GOTY2017 #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/9kvmEevGQo
– American girl (@American_Girl) January 2, 2017
The Gabriela collection also includes several performance-inspired outfits, accessories and a series of three books chronicling her journey, published by Scholastic and written by Teresa E. Harris. In addition, the company is also working with Scholastic to publish a curriculum, âExpress Yourself,â for teaching poetry to children.
Visit our Facebook page to discover our new world of the Girl of the Year in 360. # GOTY2017 is coming to stores and online TOMORROW, 1/1! pic.twitter.com/GvcfTtGfAR
– American girl (@American_Girl) December 31, 2016
The release of the doll is also very special because for the first time the company is offering three black dolls at the same time. Along with Gabriela, there’s Melody and Addy, a civil rights-era doll depicting a former slave.
Interestingly, the brand also offers a ‘Truly Me’ collection, which allows young girls to choose from a range of skin colors to create toys they can relate to and love.