Meet Gabriela, American Girl of the Year 2017 (and a giveaway for you!)


Can you believe that American Girl has been releasing a Girl of the Year (GOTY) doll since 2001? 2017 will mark the release of their 15th doll, and I'm so excited that 2017's Girl of the Year, Gabriela McBride, is a person of color! Out of the last 14 dolls, 3 have been girls of color (Marisol is Hispanic, Jess is half Asian, Kanani is Hawaiian American). Gabriela is the 4th girl of color and the first African American. I could not be happier that American Girl recognizes that America is a diverse country and has released a beautiful doll who exemplifies that diversity!  I know that many girls have been waiting and hoping for a Girl of the Year that they can relate to on the inside and the outside.


From American Girl:

American Girl is excited to celebrate the New Year with the debut of its 2017 Girl of the Year - Gabriela McBride! Available January 1, 2017, Gabriela is a true talent who uses her passion for the arts—specifically spoken word poetry—to overcome personal obstacles and create positive change for her community. Gabriela launches with a beautiful 18-inch doll, plus several performance-inspired outfits, accessories, and toys. We're also happy to share that, unlike past Girl of the Year characters, Gabriela will be available throughout 2017 and beyond.

Yes, you read that correctly: Gabriela will be available throughout 2017 and beyond! American Girl has never done this before -- all other GOTY dolls were sold only for 1 year. But girls don't ever have to worry about missing out on Gabriela! They can save up for Gabriela without a time limit. What's more, whatever the next Girl of the Year looks like, they will always be able to get a Girl of the Year that looks like them.

American Girl sent me a Gabriela doll and book to review, and I have to say, Gabriela is just gorgeous! Here are some photos I took of her:
Gabriela has warm brown skin tones, warm brown eyes, and dark brown hair. Her hair is truly her crowning glory. Her hair cascades in a avalanche of natural curls, down past her shoulders. It looks good piled on top of her head as well. The doll comes with a cute double strand pink headband.  Check out these selfies that Gabriela took!
Gabriela wears denim jeggings, a purple sweater, and a teal tank top.
Probably the only thing that disappointed me about Gabriela is that the skin tone of her cloth body does NOT match the skin tone of her arms and face. At all. When she wears the tank top by itself, the color mismatch is clearly visible. It's not so obvious when she wears shirts with a neckline that is not as open.
Gabriela's shoes are adorable. They are high-top sneakers! The purple and teal colors match her tank top and sweater.  

Gabriela is a multifaceted person that kids will really be able to relate to. She's a poet and a dancer. She has a speech impediment (stuttering). She is passionate about the arts and passionate about her local community arts center. She wants to make a difference in her local community. She is a great role model and I hope lots of girls read her story.

Outfits and Accessories

Gabriela outfits include PJs ($24), a rehearsal outfit (pictured below, $28) , tap shoes ($16), and a glitter performance outfit ($32). Her accessories kit (pictured below, $28) is a dance bag with everything she needs for rehearsal: the bag, water bottle, bandages, hair accessories, and food.


The photo below shows Gabriela wearing her Sparkling Sequins Outfit ($32). She's using her Performance Case ($48) to set up her next amazing music and poetry performance. I think the Performance Case is a great deal because it comes with so many items: a wheeled rolling case, a laptop with retractable cord, headphones, microphone, drum pad, drumsticks, and stickers to decorate the case.

Gabriela's Creative Dance Studio ($58)  has so much potential for open ended play! The backdrop is reversible so it can be the inside of a dance studio or the outside of a building. The set also includes a metal dance barre, water bottle, and towel. 

I plan to head over to the American Girl Store to take more photos of Gabriela, her playsets, her accessories, and her outfits, so stay tuned!


Win a Gabriela doll and book


One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a Gabriela doll and book! Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below by 11:59PM on February 3, 2017. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Disclosure:  I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information (in italics) is provided by American Girl. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Pin It

56 Comments, Leave yours here:

Patricia on January 13, 2017 at 8:32 PM said...

The sequined top is so lovely. That has to be my favorite.

shirley on January 13, 2017 at 8:43 PM said...

I like the rehearsal outfit.

Jessica on January 13, 2017 at 9:14 PM said...

I love her Sparkling Sequins Outfit. It is really eye catching and sparkly. My daughter would be obsessed :)

moushka on January 13, 2017 at 9:29 PM said...

Oh my goodness.....she is adorable! My daughter is really into theater and would be thrilled to have the sparkling outfit as well as the performance case.

Shelly Leatham on January 13, 2017 at 9:42 PM said...

My girls and I like the rehearsal outfit!

Linda Trinklein on January 14, 2017 at 6:19 AM said...

She is so cute! I think my favorite are her shoes, oh my goodness cute!

Elena on January 14, 2017 at 6:36 AM said...

I like the rehearsal outfit

Heather! on January 14, 2017 at 8:25 AM said...

I love Gabriela's Creativee Dance Studio! I would love to play with that myself, even. 😉

Anonymous said...

I like the sparkly sequin outfit. It's purple and my niece's favorite color!
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Merry

Steph on January 14, 2017 at 11:17 AM said...

I like the Performance Case.

KatM21 on January 14, 2017 at 6:51 PM said...

These are all so adorable, I love the Gabriela's Creative Dance Studio collection, would bring hours of fun!

Shelly Peterson on January 14, 2017 at 7:01 PM said...

I like the glitter performance outfit.

JewelWood on January 15, 2017 at 5:13 AM said...

I like the rehearsal outfit!! So cute!

shelly on January 15, 2017 at 9:43 AM said...

I like her sparkling sequins outfit and the trunk with the laptop and accessories.

laura bernard on January 15, 2017 at 9:56 AM said...

The rehearsal outfit is adorable!

Unknown on January 15, 2017 at 10:59 AM said...

My favorite item in Gabriela collection is her Creative Studio. I am a dancer myself and I just love the background piece and the ballet bar.

Bobbie Smith on January 15, 2017 at 12:39 PM said...

My favorite item in Gabriela's collection would be the Glitter performance outfit. I'm entering this for my granddaughter, and she is in gymnastics, so she would love the Glitter performance outfit.

bison61 on January 15, 2017 at 1:29 PM said...

my favorite would be the Sparkling Sequins Outfit

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Shayna on January 15, 2017 at 2:19 PM said...

I LOVE THE CREATIVE DANCE STUDIO :)

Sarah and Eva on January 15, 2017 at 3:36 PM said...

I like her trunk and tap shoes best. She is such a pretty doll. My daughter really likes her.

Lauren on January 15, 2017 at 3:40 PM said...

I like the Performance Case.

T on January 15, 2017 at 5:50 PM said...

I love her tap shoes and the creative studio. She is beautiful! (Tammy Horn)

T on January 15, 2017 at 5:52 PM said...

I love her tap shoes and the creative studio. She is beautiful! (Tammy Horn)

bellagirl07 on January 15, 2017 at 6:21 PM said...

My favorite item in Gabriele's collection is the Performance Case that is just too cute.
heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com

Unknown on January 15, 2017 at 8:33 PM said...

I love the rehersal outfit.

Elizabeth Brooks on January 15, 2017 at 8:40 PM said...

The dance studio

Elizabeth Brooks on January 15, 2017 at 8:40 PM said...

The dance studio

Unknown on January 16, 2017 at 7:11 AM said...

OMG! She is SO cute! I love everything....her trunk and tap shoes are so cute!

Elle said...

I like her rehearsal outfit.

Linda on January 16, 2017 at 10:45 AM said...

I really like her special rehearsal outfit.

Heather Dawn on January 16, 2017 at 2:55 PM said...

I like the Creative Dance Studio!

jakiesmom on January 16, 2017 at 6:08 PM said...

I like gabrielas tap shoes

Terra Heck on January 17, 2017 at 12:02 AM said...

I really like the Creative Dance Studio. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Paula111 on January 18, 2017 at 4:53 AM said...

I love the dance Studio and my daughter would also.

Caryn s on January 18, 2017 at 9:13 AM said...

I love the dj set for gabriela!

Amanda Lea on January 18, 2017 at 11:45 AM said...

I like the dance set! How cute

Amanda M. said...

I like Gabriela herself best! She's very cute!

Lisa Owen said...

I love her pj's and hair! She reminds me of my granddaughter who turns 6 in February! She's asked for one of these!! ��

Dawn on January 21, 2017 at 5:07 AM said...

I think my girls would like her dance studio.

Unknown on January 21, 2017 at 11:13 AM said...

I think my favorite part of Gabriela'so collection, is Gabby herself!! She is a beautiful doll! I also like her performance case.

Tabathia B on January 21, 2017 at 7:51 PM said...

The dance studio with the tap shoes because my daughter is interested in dance.

Sarah Hayes on January 22, 2017 at 2:32 PM said...

I love the dance barre ! she is a great character and has such a great line.

Portia on January 23, 2017 at 10:12 PM said...

I lover her laptop!

Marilyn on January 23, 2017 at 11:30 PM said...

I like the work-out outfit and cute little tennis shoes.

easymacbb on January 24, 2017 at 5:29 AM said...

The DJ set.

Unknown on January 24, 2017 at 9:47 AM said...

I like the glitter performance outfit!!

skater425 on January 26, 2017 at 10:30 AM said...

I love her cat and her sparkling sequins outfit.

Anonymous said...

I like the sparkling sequins clothes.

Evie B, said...

I love her rehearsal outfit.

Audrey T on February 1, 2017 at 8:50 PM said...

I love her dance bag filled with all the goodies.

noelle on February 2, 2017 at 7:20 PM said...

I love her dance studio

Jeanna on February 3, 2017 at 10:52 AM said...

I love her Creative Dance Studio!

Unknown on February 3, 2017 at 6:54 PM said...

I like the Performance Case. Thanks for the chance to win such an amazing giveaway.

Cassie Eastman on February 3, 2017 at 6:57 PM said...

My favorite item in Gabriela's collection is the 'Gabriela's Creative Studio Set'. My daughter love to dance!

sunnymum on February 3, 2017 at 7:37 PM said...

Along with the cute doll, I love Gabriela's Accessories, especially the "boom-box" bag.

Susan Biddle on February 3, 2017 at 8:39 PM said...

I love her creative dance studio!

Post a Comment

Search This Blog

Bongga Posts

Bongga Tweets

I'm Going!

Blog Archive

 

Bonggamom Finds Copyright © 2009 Cosmetic Girl Designed by Ipietoon | In Collaboration with FIFA
Girl Illustration Copyrighted to Dapino Colada