Short Stories

Short Stories are little vignettes of the Historical Characters. Most of these stories occur simultaneously during the events of the Central Series, though some happen before or after.

Julie was released after the short stories were written and so has none. It is unknown if she will be given any but is highly unlikely.

In American Girl Magazine
Short stories were originally published in American Girl Magazine during its early days. Only a few pages long, each was accompanied with full-color illustrations, vignettes, and Looking Back sections. Quite often, there was an additional article after the story with related activities or a small article relating the story and its Looking Back section to contemporary experiences.

The short stories were discontinued sometime around 1998 when the magazine shifted towards being independent from the dolls and their stories. This coincided with the introduction of the American Girl of Today, but there is likely no causation to be found in this correlation.

In Individual Books
Sometime after Kit's introduction, the short stories were released in individual, hardback book form. They were about five inches tall and four inches wide. Each included the same illustrations, vignettes, and Looking Back sections that had accompanied the stories in the magazine. Activities were also included--both for stories that had been in the magazine and new ones. Kit's (and later Kaya's) stories were brand new since she had not been around when the stories were published in the magazine.

Hallmark Versions
Hallmark released versions of the short stories as well. Each copy had a small, attached ribbon bookmark emblazoned with the Hallmark logo and an ex libris page in the front. Otherwise, they were nearly identical with the official Pleasant Company editions.

Short Story Sets
There were four box sets sold, combining stories from different girls into full sets.. Each box set had six (or with the addition of Kit and later Kaya, seven) books. These were discontinued in 2005.

Box Set #1 - 1999

 * Felicity's New Sister
 * A Reward for Josefina
 * Kirsten on the Trail
 * High Hopes for Addy
 * Samantha's Winter Party
 * Molly Takes Flight

Box Set #2''' - 2000

 * Felicity's Dancing Shoes
 * Again, Josefina!
 * Kirsten and the New Girl
 * Addy's Little Brother
 * Samantha Saves the Wedding
 * Molly and the Movie Star

Box Set #3''' - 2001

 * Felicity Takes a Dare
 * Josefina's Song
 * Kirsten Snowbound
 * Addy's Wedding Quilt
 * Samantha and the Missing Pearls
 * Molly Marches On

Box Set #4''' - 2002

 * Felicity Discovers a Secret
 * Just Josefina
 * Kristen and the Chippewa
 * Addy Studies Freedom
 * Samantha's Blue Bicycle
 * Kit's Home Run
 * Molly's A+ Partner

Box Set #5''' - 2003

 * Kaya and the River Girl
 * Thanks to Josefina
 * Kirsten's Promise
 * Addy's Summer Place
 * Samantha's Special Talent
 * Kit's Tree House
 * Molly's Puppy Tale

Box sets were also sold in groups of three for Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, and Molly, containing the books solid in the combination sets from 1999 to 2001. These were phased out in late 2005, leaving Kaya with one story and Kit with two.

Stories and Outfits
In 1999 and again in 2003, individual short stories were packaged with an outfit and hanging garment bag. Felicity did not receive a set in 2003 as she had been somewhat discontinued at the time. The sets were:

1999 Sets

 * Felicity's New Sister with Traveling Gown
 * A Reward for Josefina with Harvest Outfit
 * Kirsten on the Trail with Checked Dress and Apron
 * High Hopes for Addy with Striped Dress
 * Samantha's Winter Party with Skating Party Dress
 * Molly Takes Flight with Molly's Aviator Outfit

2003 Sets

 * Kaya and the River Girl with No New Outfit
 * Thanks to Josefina with Weaving Outfit
 * Kirsten's Promise with Plaid Dress and Shawl
 * Addy's Summer Place with Cape Island Dress
 * Samantha's Special Talent with Talent Show Dress
 * Kit's Tree House with Tree House Outfit
 * Molly's Puppy Tale with Victory Garden Dress

Short Story Collections
In 2006, the short stories for each character were bound into a single book of the five short stories with a ribbon bookmark and a raised picture on the cover from one of the stories. While the Looking Back sections were kept and added for new stories, all the activities were removed.

In order for every character to have an even five stories, new stories were added to Felicity's, Kit's and Kaya's collections. Felicity was given one new short story, Felicity's Valentine. Kit was given three - Kit's Winning Ways, Kit Uses Her Head, and Kit and Millie Ride Again. Kaya, having only had one in the collection, was given four new stories: Kaya and the Beavers, Kaya and the Flood, Kaya and the Grandmothers, and Kaya and the Injured Dog.

These were phased out in 2007.