American Girl introduces Saige Copeland, American Girl's 2013 Girl of the Year

It's my pleasure to introduce American Girl's 2013 Girl of the Year, Saige Copeland!  Saige is a high-spirited girl from New Mexico who loves to ride horses and paint.  When budget cuts take away her school's art class funding, Saige uses her creativity and imagination to mobilize others and inspire change.  Here are a few facts about Saige:

Where she lives
Albuquerque, New Mexico, the hot air ballooning capital of the world

Favorite activities
Being at her grandma Mimi's ranch, painting in the studio or riding Picasso the horse

What changes her life
Entering the fourth-grade school year with no art classes

What she discovers
You can use your imagination to create artwork and inspire change

Saige will launch on January 1 with two books that tell her story, as well as a new American Girl activity book that encourages girls to express themselves through art:

• Saige
• Saige Paints the Sky
• Express  Yourself: Use Art to Explores the Emotions Inside You!

Saige's character will come to life with an 18-inch, auburn-haired Saige doll, with a variety of outfits and accessories, such as:

• Saige's horse Picasso
• Saige's dog Sam
• Hot air balloon
• Various outfits including a riding outfit, dressy outfit and painting outfit

What's more, Saige's story will be captured on a DVD movie from Universal Studios Home Entertainment in 2013.

As in previous years, the 2013 Girl of the Year will be tied to a community initiative that girls can rally around.  Since Saige is passionate about preserving arts programs in schools, this year American Girl is introducing a number of Saige-related initiatives, such as:

• American Girl's "Shine On Now" charitable initiative will be supporting the Arts Education Program run by Americans for the Arts.

• American Girl will be launching an Elevate the Arts School Grant Contest on January 1.  Elementary art school teachers will be able to enter to win one of thirteen grants totalling $45,000 for their school's art programs.

• American Girl will be launching a Soar with Saige Sweepstakes, where girls can enter to win one of ten prize packages.

• American Girl will be partnering with Americans for the Arts to launch Saige's Learning Guide, a free downloadable curriculum with fun art activities.

Are you excited about Saige's arrival?  We sure are!


Disclosure: I received an advanced media kit from American Girl containing press releases and review copies of the new"Sage" and "Express Yourself" books.. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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