A Girl For All Time Dolls Now Available in the United States

When I was a little girl one of my favorite things to play was dolls. I loved playing house and taking care of my dolls. Now, I get to see that same enthusiasm through the eyes of my daughter Danica. She also loves playing with dolls and I love to encourage this kind of imaginative play. Unfortunately many of the dolls on the market these days are not very attractive or don’t dress respectfully. I am constantly trying to teach Danica what is appropriate and lady like and it is almost impossible when she is being bombarded from all sides of the media with trashy outfits, make-up, hair etc.

We recently received for review Amelia, A Girl For All Time Doll and I am so happy to share this with my daughter.

Based in London, each character in the A Girl For All Time family, is descended from the first doll, Matilda, featured in a series of novels set in different eras of the most exciting times in English history.  The novels encourage girls to explore the past, while the keepsake books bring the character’s world to life with themed activities and adventures.

It was immediately obvious that this was an extremely high quality doll that Danica will enjoy for years.

Amelia is made from high quality, durable vinyl and is 16 inches tall with articulated elbows and knees.  This deluxe doll comes dressed in a historically inspired Victorian school dress of blue cotton, with striped collar and cuffs, ruffled pantalets and undershirt. Sturdy school boots and a straw boater hat complete the outfit.  The doll comes with loose hair that you can style any way you like!

I find it nearly impossible to write about Amelia without comparing her to Danica’s American Girl Dolls that she already has.  She likes Amelia just as much as them and they all play together!  Amelia is 16 inches tall compared to the AG 18 inches and is definitely smaller around the waste shoulders etc so you could probably put the 18 inch doll clothes on her, but not the other way around.  Amelia’s body is made from vinyl not cloth so she is very durable and EASY TO CLEAN!

Her clothes are of EXTREMELY high quality.  I was so impressed with her clothing and Danica loves it too.  The fabric is so soft and thick and all of the closures are snaps which appear to be hand sewn on (no velcro except on her boots).  Seriously, her clothes are amazing.  She came with multiple layers and all are well made.  I also love that the hat she came with comes with an elastic band so it stays on her head.  So many of Danica’s other dolls hats never end up being used because they don’t stay on.  One of the decorative buttons on her boots did fall off and get lost almost immediately.

Amelia has tight articulated joints and easily stands on her own.  I did find the joints a little goofy as her hands want to turn in at the elbows, but I imagine she will loosen up with more play.  Danica loves that she is able to bend her arms and legs to put her into various positons.

I was surprised that Amelia’s hair came unstyled, but Danica really likes in that way.  She loves to do her hair herself anyway and the fact that it wasn’t pre-styled gave her the freedom to play with it as she pleases without fear of ruining her hairdo.

Amelia has a beautiful face that reminds me of a porcelain doll.  Her blue eyes are stunning.  Danica does wish that her eyes closed, but still loves her regardless.

The best part about Amelia is the history lesson that comes with her:

Matilda is the first in a family tree of Marchmont women, each of whom lives in an exciting time in English history. We can follow all of their stories in the A Girl for All Time® series. Each girl features in her own set of novels and Keepsake books and they can all trace their family tree all the way back to Matilda, who lives in Tudor times during the reign of Henry VIII. The second novel in the A Girl for All Time series, Amelia’s Inheritance, is a beautifully illustrated 150+ page book that tells the story of 13-year-old orphan Amelia Elliot growing up in Victorian London. American children will learn about this important period of British history which led to so many reform laws and was quite a different lifestyle than children in the U.S. lead today!  Amelia’s Inheritance is written by twice BAFTA nominated writer and director Sandra Goldbacher.

We received a copy of the Amelia’s Inheritance book, but we have not read it yet as it is recommended for children ages 9-10 and up because of reading- and material-readiness of the books.  The dolls themselves are recommended for ages 7 and up.  I look forward to sharing the book with Danica in another couple of years when she can better understand it.

A Girl For All Time currently offers 2 dolls, Matilda and Amelia, with Clementine set to release this September 2013 but can be preordered now.  There are also a variety of adorable outfits for the dolls.

To learn more about the A Girl For All Time Dolls ‘Like’ their Facebook page to receive updates on doll release dates and each girls story. They also show patterns, homemade clothes, give tea party tips and more.

BUY IT!

Amelia is available for $134.99 and can be ordered at A Girl For All Time’s online store or in stock at a handful of stores including FAO Schwartz.

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Disclosure:  I received samples for the purpose of this review however all thoughts remain my own.