Riding the wave with Joss!
Each year American Girl releases their Girl of the Year (GOTY) that possesses a unique story, defies traditional expectations, and encourages young minds to imagine a world where they can reach new heights! For 2020, the GOTY is the brown eyed Joss Kendrick who can be found catching waves on her surfboard or flying in the air on the competitive cheer team. While this may sound like a common story, for Joss there is an obstacle that makes her goals more difficult to achieve. Joss was born with hearing loss but this doesn’t stop her from her dreams. In fact, she is a character that demonstrates resilience to young girls everywhere.
For young children that have a medical illness or impairment, it can feel isolating to look around the toy aisles and not see dolls who look like them. Wearing a hearing aid, Joss represents a group of individuals that sometimes can feel invisible. Although my daughter doesn’t suffer from hearing loss, Joss serves as a wonderful representative to expand her perspective on what that experience may feel like. Reading Joss’ story enhances her ability to understand. American Girl has taken a new step in sharing diverse stories to children enhancing their world view and ability to empathize.
The 18” Joss has honey brown hair with light highlights which makes absolute sense since she is under the sun surfing at the beach. She arrives wearing flip flops, shorts, a bathing suit and light jacket. American Girl thinks of everything as they included not just one but two hearing aids (in case one gets lost) and a case. They even include underwear (as she is wearing her bathing suit)! Additional accessories that can be purchased on American Girl website include a surfboard, gymnastics equipment and a variety of clothing. My favorite accessory is not actually her life vested English Bulldog “Murph” but the Sea Lion pup (it’s limited quantity)!
Joss’ inspiring message will be promoted with a partnership with the largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, Scholastic. Her story will be shared over the two book series where she grows up in Surf City, California. After accepting her brother’s dare to try out for the competitive cheer team, she learns to transpose a core value of surfing that is to “give respect is to get respect.” Reading her journey can help expand a child’s understanding of a physical impairment and open the door for wonderful conversations. Inspiring children to develop positive traits and values, American Girl characters serve not only as role models but also offer hidden learning opportunities within their stories. If you are interested in Joss, the extensive collection is available at americangirl.com and at all American Girl retail locations.
Want to win your own American Girl doll? We are so excited to partner with American Girl to give one lucky winner their own Joss Kendrick doll!
Here are the rules and conditions for this amazing giveaway:
Participants MUST live in the United States.
The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter.
The contest will run from February 2 through 12am on February 18.
The winner will be contacted on February 18.
The winner will receive the prize directly from American Girl.
The winners must respond within 1 day or another winner will be chosen.
To enter, participants can earn entries by: visiting the Mommy University Facebook page (likes are appreciated but not required), following Mommy University on Twitter, sharing the contest with friends, subscribing to the MU newsletter, providing your email address, sharing additional American Girl posts and commenting on this blog post by answering the required question.
No purchase is necessary to win.
Your chances of winning are dependent on the number of entries received.
Enter here:a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you like this post, you might like:
I love the American Girl dolls have interesting stories. I also like their clothing and accessories.
My girls and I love all the American Girl dolls. We own One of a Kind dolls, Tenney, Blaire, and all the Wellie Wishers! They are all so special and have great stories that we all enjoy!
I love the stories! My girls love the modern and historical ones!
My sister is deaf so when I saw this year’s American Girl doll announcement it literally brought me to tears. I live that American Girl celebrates all girls and shows their strengths and goals, empowering girls to be their best.
We love the clothing, accessories, and their pretty hair!
I love that each of the American Girls dolls is so unique and inspiring!
I love that there is an American Girl for everyone and that you can customize the dolls to match yourself.
I love that they are all unique. Also that they are modeled by real girls with real dreams and hopes.
I love American girl dolls for a number of reasons.
1- I was obsessed as a kid and was never able to get a doll but read ALL THE BOOKS.
2- They have brought out the same love of reading in my daughter that they did in me as a child.
3- They are relatable stories and good lessons for younger girls.
My daughter is asking for joss for her birthday! I would love to win for her.
She loves them becuase she can play ( use her imagination ) with them, dress them… etc.
I love that they are built sturdy to last! I like that they are all different, joss with hearing loss and blair with milk intolerance!!
thanks for the chance!
I love how they have a doll for everyone.
i think the dolls are really cute and fun
I love they have a doll for everyone! I love the quality and remember wanting one when i WAS YOUNG
I love that each American Girl doll has an interesting story to share and they are very inspiring.
I love the diversity of American Girl dolls. My daughters are unique. Different hair types, shades, and abilities. Being able to allow them to create a doll that is unique like them is so special. Their dolls will be preserved for their daughters one day 💓
I love everything about American girls dolls, they are so unique, their hair, clothes, pretty & attractive faces are amazing. Would love to win this for my kids.
American Girl dolls are adorable best friends that enhance a child’s imagination. Thank you for making one dream come true
I love the American Girls stories and their look & style.
We love the American Girl dolls. When my daughter said she wanted this doll, she said she loved that she was so special.
I love the quality.
I love that my girls love them!
My little girl loves the stories and how cute they all are with their own different styles.
I love that they encourage creativity in young girls.
I love their outfits
They have so many different girls and different stories you can find one that your daughter will love.
Everything! They are beautiful dolls!
They are beautiful dolls!I really like all of them.
I really like everything about them!
i love that they are amazing quality and have the cutest looks and accessories/clothes