Very entertaining and educational video! I just found your channel, and I can already tell you I love your content. I'm a 20 year old psychology major, and I am hoping to become an occupational therapist. I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when I was 4, and I believe my autism has allowed me to save the world in a positive, different way. Which has probably influenced my interest in dolls. I have been collecting dolls since I was 13 and collecting toys practically since I was born. I believe dolls and doll collecting is a great hobby for anyone at any age. Dolls inspire us to use our imaginations, and allow us to understand others and their struggles and emotions through play. Personally, as a doll collector, I spent the vast majority of my time doll time doing things like changing their outfits, taking photography, and researching other dolls. From what I have seen some imaginary play usually still happens for doll collectors, but the hobby can be quite different than how children play with dolls. It really all depends on how the individual wants to express herself through the hobby. I have learned some history through American Girl, but another way I have learned about history through dolls is actually through vintage dolls. For example, you can learn so much about the 1940s, through a doll produced at that time. I'm glad you made such an interesting and educational video on a topic I love that is not discussed near enough. I love how you touched on both the positive and negative parts of American Girl. Great job!

Haven't read any of these but I love your ranking system!

It sounds like you need to do a class on YA Romance!! It would be an amazing class😍 I would teach Delicates by Brenna Thummler, research The Luis Ortega Survival Club, and my pick for leisure would be Maeve Fly by C.J. Leede 😊

I love this!

Have you read any of these books? Any favorites?

Ok, from someone who hates live actions and don't like the race swapping at all. Ariel can't reflect any hood other than palacehood. Black, hispanic or white she is the daughter of a king raised in the palace and only allowed to go so much far from tha palace without Sebastian comes to bring her back to her world. I didn't watch it (again, hate live actions, they are the death of everything magical about the movies), but if it is Disney there is no mom so Ariel and sisters gets what whoever is responsible for her education gives. Plus there are no division on the sea.

So inspiring!

I love this! Thank you for motivating us to focus in on our goals as well<3

I’m inspired!!

Amazing work 💪 I thought it was interesting how you tracked your hours spent on each activity so precisely. That’s great data for future planning (I should give that a go!). Also 186 subs in 6 months is great progress 😃 Congrats on the 4.6k views on your video 🎉

How are your 2024 goals coming along?

Such a moving video, this was like a documentary! I loved seeing the old photos and videos, and hearing the stories.

❤❤

This is such a beautiful video-thank you for sharing 💜!

I'm very happy to have discovered your channel! Writing is definitely hard!

I always felt like American Girl dolls were never made for me. I always envied people who could afford them but they are so expensive. I am Native American and I always wanted Kaya because I think I just craved some sort of representation (I'm Oglala Lakota though, not the same tribe as Kaya). The only Indigenous dolls I had growing up were Disney Pocahontas dolls, I know there are some Indigenous Barbie's that mattel made in the 90s, but I never had them, I didn't know they existed until recently lol. I also noticed that anytime indigenous dolls are made, they are *Always* historical dolls wearing traditional clothing. There aren't really any indigenous dolls that are "modern", it seems like we are only ever depicted as existing in the past but never in the present. I'm not making that complaint towards American girl though because history is their main thing, it's just something I noticed with dolls in general.

I used Addy's story with my fifth-grade students to introduce them to the subject of slavery in America. This was way before I was ever an AG collector. Her story started many discussions. I don't think my students will forget the cruelty of the tomato worms. Rebecca was my first purchase. I had never owned a Jewish doll before. It was very meaningful to me to have a doll from my culture. And then Addy was reissued. I was so excited to have her. And I have been slowly trying to find some of the parts of her original collection. I purchased Yvette, but waited on her purchase until I could trust her hair. AG made a mess of her at the beginning. I followed someone online who gave some good advice on that doll. I purchased Claudie. Fell in love with her. So, I am now the owner of 15 AG dolls and many outfits and accessories. Mostly the historical dolls. I find myself dressing them and changing outfits far more often than I remember doing that with my childhood dolls. Well, now I can afford this. I only had a few dolls when I was a child. I have heard some of the book authors speak and I am impressed by the research involved.

Tell me you put that doll on that bed! Addy needs to use that vest too. That is actually a heritage from the original developer, it was a teacher I think. The original ones were historical charachters made to educate and inspire girls.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us - holy moly! Your determination and tenacity is amazing! I can totally relate because I've been writing a book (might have to be more) here and there. I like the board you created and think I need to do that too. Ohhh, yes, finding your "voice" is so challenging. Keep going, you have the key ingredients to realize your goals :)

I love how you celebrate your progress along the way. Thank you for allowing us to join your journey to publication <3!

Love learning more about your academic and career history! I hope the experience you gained translates to an amazing work that we can all can enjoy in the future <3 (also, congrats on surpassing your goal, regardless of the outcome for this year!) Looking forward to hearing more about Project Seoul!

That's so cool! Thank you for sharing!❤️

If I were Laura Jean I would take back movie Peter, I would not take back book peter. In the book the boy spent so much time with Gen that it was really irritating but he would get mad when LJ was with john ambrose?

wait omg, we need more scholars or researchers making video essays, even tho i dont think this counts as a video essay, i would be really interested to watch more in depth thoughts from you! this was a great watch!

we are all gods children why was there so much hate we don't own anyone we were suppose love each other there shouldn't of been slaves in the frist place

Thank you what you do. My Fathers Side is From Virginia and NorthCarolina.

Thank you for taking the time to put this video together. I LOVED going on this journey with you! Such a mixed bag of emotions erupted and maybe because I’m currently reading Addy’s book series. I’d love to trace the visits you made. So funny about leaving Addy behind while you went on the ghost tour. I am an adult American Girl Doll collector and post related content on social media. Thank you for investing the time and energy to make this video. I will certainly share it!!

Have you visited any of these sites?

Interesting.

Loved this video! 💖

where can we watch part 2 lookinf forward to it!!

My grand aunt share the love of American girl dolls

Realistically they are probably not because relationships are not a real deal nowadays, people just don't want commitment and it's sad

I’m not familiar with the book or adaptation unfortunately but can definitely relate to the university choice dilemma! You are very skilled/natural at speaking to camera. It’s taken me six months and some expensive kit (auto cue) to even begin to get the knack but it is a quality I noticed on your videos from the outset 😊

Do you think John Ambrose McClaren swooped in to save the day?

Listen, I still have yet to read book 3 because of Lara Jean’s choices. Also I was also angry when Peter asked for the necklace back. I was done with him after that lol and so pissed when they changed that in the movie.