Beginning today, Mattel‘s American Girl brand is offering World by Us, a new trio of contemporary characters that families can find at American Girl stores and at americangirl.com.
Makena Williams, Evette Peeters, and Maritza Ochoa have overlapping stories that are designed to reflect important social issues, including racial equality, environmentalism, and immigration, and the value of working together to create a better world. The trio becomes friends as shared scenes are told from multiple perspectives that American Girl says “showcase each girl’s point of view and emphasize the importance of inclusion, fairness, and respect.”
The new line of 18-inch dolls, accessories, and books was created by American Girl product designers who developed the dolls after consulting with authors and advisers to provide feedback on design elements, such as face shape, hair type, and skin tone. At the centerpiece of the collection is the World by Us Community Center, a 360-degree playset that is inspired by the place where the girls meet in their stories.
The Girls, Books, and Authors:
Maritza:
- Angela Cervantes is the author of Maritza: Lead with Your Heart. Maritza is a caring, take-action kind of girl who loves celebrating her Latina heritage — from the delicious food to her community’s music-filled festivals. A leader on and off the soccer field, she finds her passion in advocating for others, especially helping to keep immigrant families together.
Makena:
- Denise Lewis Patrick is the author of Makena: See Me, Hear Me, Know Me. Makena loves art and her close-knit family, with ties tracing back to Kenya, but her real passion is fashion, which she uses to express her views. After experiencing a racist incident in her own front yard, Makena uses her style to speak up about injustice.
Evette:
- Sharon Dennis Wyeth is the author of Evette: The River and Me. Evette loves vintage clothes, upcycling, and protecting nature, including the Anacostia River near her home. When she discovers racism in her own biracial family, she works hard to heal her world — family, friends, river, and all.
World by Us launched today alongside a fashion show in New York City presented in partnership with Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR). American Girl is supporting HFR’s nonprofit organization, ICON360, with a $25,000 donation to help raise awareness and funds for the next generation of BIPOC fashion leaders.
Additionally, kids can enjoy a host of World by Us content on YouTube beginning Sept. 27, including stop-motion animation, and a music video by That Girl Lay Lay.
