Thank you, American Girl for collaborating with and sharing the BeForever Collection
American Girl Melody Ellison doll with us.
Some of my fondest memories of my childhood all include my dolls. I’ve loved dolls my entire life. They were my company when I was a little “lost” girl adjusting to life in the US. I was very young but I can clearly remember sitting in my closet and reading to my dolls. You see the closet was me pretending to be sitting under a mango tree back in Jamaica.
Now I get the pleasure of enjoying my daughter play with her dolls. She’s so great at pretending play with them. She reads to them, combs their hair and makes up the best adventures with her doll friends. From baking cakes to dancing ballet, Zoë is always having a great time with one, two or even five of her dolls. She always has a doll with her and now that she’s been introduced to American Girl Melody Ellison, the newest historical character from the American Girl BeForever Collection, they have become fast friends and companions.
“Mommy, can I sing the song Melody sings in the book?” And off they go singing.
“Mommy, can Melody slide with me?” Down the slide they go.
“Mommy, Melody wants to read.” So we read her book.
And more and more. I love that I get to share the journey of Melody with my Zoë, telling her all about the times of Melody growing up in Detroit, the music of Motown and even age-appropriate lessons about history, civil rights, and fairness. No Ordinary Sound: A Melody Classic shares the story of 9-year-old Melody who just like my Zoe loves singing, spending time with family and gardening with her grandma. Melody lends her voice to the choir during a very turbulent time in her town. It’s the 1960’s, a time of major civil rights advances in spite of a lot of hurt and pain.
It’s very important to me that my children learn about important parts of history including the civil rights era. While Zoe isn’t old enough to read the Melody stories on her own or to understand all the historical facts and significants, I make sure she understand how important it is to be kind to other people no matter where they are from or what they look like. To me, kindness and love are at the foundation of making our society a better place. Teaching these lessons to Zoe through play is a perfect way to get the conversation started with her.
I’ll be sharing more of Zoe and Melody’s adventures soon. The American Girl Melody Ellison doll launches on August 25th. She is the perfect doll to add to or start your daughter’s doll collection. The fun they will have together is guaranteed and the lessons you get to teach your little one along the way will be priceless. Kindness, hard work and using your gifts for good are just a few lessons to look forward to.
How do you share lessons about freedom, civil rights, love, and kindness with your children?
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