LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) — Mattel’s chubby-faced American Girl dolls got a new friend on Thursday (February 16) — a boy called Logan.
Some 31 years after American Girl was introduced, the California-based toymaker released the line’s very first boy doll, as part of the brand’s attempt to better reflect a changing world.
“In response to thousands of impassioned requests from fans for more options, American Girl is introducing a new series of contemporary characters and stories designed to speak to even more girls’ interests, backgrounds, and experiences,” the company said in a statement.
The 18-inch (45cm) tall doll has his own outfits and accessories, including a drum kit to allow him to accompany his counterpart Tenney, whose story is that she is a rising Nashville music star.
Logan Everett and Tenney Grant’s stories will be told through books and digital platforms like online videos, web series and apps, Matell said.
At the American Girl store in Los Angeles, California, nine-year-old Bella Staner said she was surprised to see a boy doll.
“I think that it was cool that he came out and I like that he was a drummer and that’s cool. I like Tenney and the boy and I think that was a good idea and I did not think that was going to happen,” she said.
Michaela Zahradnik (Pronounced: ZAH-rad-niq), 41, who has been collecting American Girl dolls since 2008, made the 120 mile (195 km) drive from San Diego to pick out her Logan doll.
“Recently, I’ve seen a lot of girls change their dolls into boys and maybe it’s something that they saw that would be a great idea. I wish they would have done it earlier, because I’m so exited to have him,” she said.
Mattel Inc, the largest U.S. toymaker, primarily sells its American Girl toys in its own stores. Most of its other brands, like Barbie, sell through retailers like Wal-Mart, Target or Toys R Us.
The American Girl line was introduced in 1986 by a company bought by Mattel in 1998.
