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Beyond the Bonnet: The American Girl Doll Turns 40

We'll talk with author Amanda FitzSimons about the franchises cultural impact and legacy today.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 27: A girl wearing an "American Girl" doll and backpack. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Airdate: Friday, November 13, 2026 at 9 AM

Are you a Kit? A Felicity? A Josefina? If those names ring a bell, you are likely familiar with the
world of the American Girl doll and their period appropriate wardrobes and historical backstories. In her new book “An American Girl: How A Billion-Dollar Doll and Its Founder Changed Girlhood Forever,” journalist Amanda FitzSimons examines the cultural impact of the franchise, which has not been without controversy, and the fierce attachment of its many fans.

Guests:

  • Amanda FitzSimons, author, “An American Girl: How a Billion-Dollar Doll and Its Unlikely Founder Changed Girlhood Forever”
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