Riding the Wave with American Girl’s 2020 Girl of the Year Joss Kendrick

In full disclosure, we were provided this item in exchange for our honest review. The opinions expressed belong to Mommy University.

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.

American Girl Girl of the Year Joss Kendrick

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.

American Girl Girl of the Year Joss Kendrick

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)!

American Girl Girl of the Year Joss Kendrick

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:

American Girl _ Girl of the Year 2019 Blaire Wilson

American Girl: 2018 Girl of the Year Luciana Vega

American Girl of the Year Gabriela McBride

AG Logan and Tenney

Benefits of Pretend Play

29 Comments

  1. Randi Adamitis

    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!

  2. 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.

  3. Amber Wride

    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.

  4. Linda Trinklein

    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!

  5. NONA CURRENCE

    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 💓

  6. Nidhi C

    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.

  7. Dawn Hoffman

    American Girl dolls are adorable best friends that enhance a child’s imagination. Thank you for making one dream come true :)

  8. Yvonne Eggenberger

    We love the American Girl dolls. When my daughter said she wanted this doll, she said she loved that she was so special.

Leave a Reply to Stephanie Jones Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *