Paper Dolls

Paper Dolls are, simply enough, paper dolls of the Historical Characters. This also includes the paper dolls that were available through American Girl Magazine.

These were one of the four things offered in the American Girls Pastimes.

Original Historical Character Paper Dolls


The first Historical Character Paper Dolls included Kirsten Larson, Samantha Parkington, and Molly McIntire. The book, part of the Pastimes Subscription, included three dolls--one for each girl--and various outfits and accessories from their collection as well as information about the clothes and items in a bound book. The book was discontinued in 1994 as by then paper dolls for other Historical Characters had been released.

Historical Character Paper Dolls I
The first true series were released around the time of Felicity Merriman, and referred to as Paper Doll Kits. The dolls came in envelopes that opened at the top. The set consisted of a doll in her underwear and her designated pet on thick pre-punched cardstock, nine or ten outfits on glossy paper and related accessories on each page. The clothes and outfits needed to be cut out instead of on perforated paper.

Facts about the character and outfits would be on the back side. Each outfit had tabs included to hang on the doll. Accessories would have tabs and the outfit would have slits marked where to open the outfit to attach the accessory. Information about the related book and facts about the era would be on a double sided page. It was intended that the pages be cut out and stapled together into a miniature version of an American Girl Central Series book. The cover for the book was included on the page for the accessories envelope. The last page included instructions on how to remove and stand up the dolls, create the book, make the envelope, and use the main envelope as storage.

Many times, outfits that never were made available for purchase for the dolls was included.

These later became part of the American Girls Pastimes series, which also included Cookbooks, Craft Books, and Theater Kits. At the time, a minor update of the packaging was done to tie the paper dolls to the other items and include information about the other books in a flier and the collections with a catalog request card.

The paper dolls of this style were discontinued around the release of Kit Kittredge, possibly because she was not going to receive a craftbook, cookbook, or theater kit.

Historical Character Paper Dolls II
In about 2000 with the release of Kit Kittredge, new paper dolls were again released. The dolls now came in a folding trapper-keeper style book with Velcro closures.

There were several updates to the dolls. Instead of tabs, the paper dolls now came with reusable "sticky dots" of varying sizes that could be used to attach items and accessories. (Slits still needed to be cut in outfits to hold accessories properly). Because of the new book style, the back of the book now included an opening envelope for storage based on the doll's storage. A reversible background scene was tucked into the front, and the last page included instructions on how to remove and stand up the dolls and create the book. Each historical character now came with two characters from the series--one that could be seen as a best friend, and another character, as well as one outfit for each.

Dolls retained almost all the outfits from the previous paper dolls, with some updated to reflect changes in outfits (the most notable being Felicity's change in meet outfit.)

As the Nimipuu did not wear underwear Kaya, Speaking Rain, and Two Hawks were drawn nude in a way that showed no details whatsoever. In Molly McIntire's paper dolls, Susan Shapiro and Linda Rinaldi are in their Camp Gowonagin uniforms instead of underthings.

Miniature versions of these dolls (in their clothes) and the reversible backgrounds were temporary included with some Story Collections.

An activity at the website can be used to print new outfits for everyone except Julie; once the game is successfully completed, an Adobe .pdf file can be downloaded and printed that will include the pieces of the outfit.

These were discontinued in 2009.

Play Scenes and Paper Dolls
Starting in 2010, Play Scenes and Paper Dolls began to be released. These include the Historical Character, her best friend or companion, designated pet, and a fold-out play set.

The books come with a side white ribbon that can be tied open to reveal two fold open scenes from the stories, and the back two pages include three pockets for storage of the clothing, accessories, and dolls. The dolls come on light cardstock and the clothes and accessories come on a lighter paper stock. The clothes are now perforated as well, so they can be punched out instead of needing to be cut out. There are no longer facts on the back of the clothing or accessories.

A set of six cards--one for each book of the Central Series--is included with idea for acting out scenes. These scenes have a general tie in to the book. So far, dolls have retained almost all the outfits from the previous paper dolls, as well as including newer clothes that have been released for characters. Not all accessories from the previous sets are included.

The newer dolls for the Play Scenes and Paper dolls are slightly smaller than prior sets, so the clothes and dolls cannot be interchanged as well as before.

American Girl Magazine Paper Dolls
For several years, American Girl Magazine included a paper doll of a real girl who had submitted her information to American Girl. Six girls were picked every year. In order to be picked, a girl needed to provide stories about their female ancestors and themselves, images of them (photocopies were specified), and pictures and stories of the girl. She could then mail this to American Girl Paper Doll.

The dolls were drawn by Susan McAliley predominately. The girl and three of her relatives--female--would be included in a fold up book, and a then-modern outfit for the girl and three "historical" outfits would be drawn. There were about 50 of these dolls, and the series was discontinued by 2000.

Kaya

 * Kaya's Paper Dolls

Felicity Merriman

 * Felicity's Paper Dolls I
 * Felicity's Paper Dolls II

Josefina Montoya

 * Josefina's Paper Dolls I
 * Josefina's Paper Dolls II

Kirsten Larson

 * Kirsten's Paper Dolls I
 * Kirsten's Paper Dolls II

Addy Walker

 * Addy's Paper Dolls I
 * Addy's Paper Dolls II

Samantha Parkington

 * Samantha's Paper Dolls I
 * Samantha's Paper Dolls II
 * Samantha's Play Scenes and Paper Dolls

Rebecca Rubin

 * Rebecca's Play Scenes and Paper Dolls

Kit Kittredge

 * Kit's Paper Dolls
 * Kit's Play Scenes and Paper Dolls

Molly McIntire

 * Molly's Paper Dolls I
 * Molly's Paper Dolls II
 * Molly's Play Scenes and Paper Dolls

Julie Albright

 * Julie's Paper Dolls
 * Julie's Play Scenes and Paper Dolls