American Girl’s Lea Clark marries fun with education and we are giving her away!

January 9, 2016 by Melissa Chapman 167 Comments

Congrats to our winner Shelly!

I'll admit it- in our family we have succumbed to the intoxicating lure of the American Girl Doll culture. While the marketplace is brimming with dolls, what makes these stand-apart is that; unlike the standard box with a doll in it that once little fingers take out of its package and admire, the playtime with said doll pretty much wanes, with an American Girl doll the experience is just unfolding.

What I absolutely ADORE- yes you heard me right- adore- is that getting an American Girl doll is about providing our daughters with a play experience and a rich history of the doll- whose accompanying book- brings to life the doll's interests and a world that our daughters can virtually immerse themselves in and feel an instant kinship with.

And for 2016 American Girl doll Lea Clark is a talented photographer with a love for animals who discovers a wide world of possibilities when she embarks on a faraway adventure to Brazil and through her story HELPS GIRLS SEE LIFE THROUGH A NEW LENS and encourages their Collaboration with World Wildlife Fund® to Help Protect Animals and Their Habitats—

The truth is with so many media outlets urging and beckoning our daughters to grow fast beyond their years; belly shirts, lip-gloss cleverly disguised in a piece of costume jewelry- even the whole trend of baby high heels– it can be overwhelming and just plain confusing for our girls- who at six, seven, eight, nine and even 10 years old, should still be dressing their dolls, setting up tea parties for them and feeling safely ensconced in being a kid and not feeling this push-pull to grow up unnaturally faster than their bodies are.

I also love the tradition and the fact that each doll is so much more than just a physical pretty thing- but also brings a legacy and rich, storied past with her- that girls can learn and glean from (my daughter has voraciously read each book that has accompanied the dolls she's gotten, and has then requested to buy more books from the American Girl brand as a result- which in my opinion can never be a bad thing).

So just who is Lea Clark, American Girl's 2016 Girl of the Year and why should parents at the very least check her out? Here is her back story and keep reading for deets on how you can win her right here!

American Girl’s 2016 Girl of the Year™ Lea is a talented photographer with a love for animals, discovers a wide world of possibilities when she embarks on a faraway adventure to Brazil. Available for only one year, Lea’s collection includes a beautiful 18-inch Lea™ doll featuring long wavy hair and warm hazel eyes, plus several tropical-inspired outfits, accessories, and toys that reflect her Brazilian travels—including Lea’s Rainforest House with over 30 pieces! To further expand Lea’s world for girls, an all-new, action-adventure film will debut on DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment in summer 2016.

Written by award-winning author Lisa Yee, the 2016 Girl of the Year books—Lea Dives In Lea Leads the Way, and Lea and Camila—introduce girls to a curious ten-year-old girl with an adventurous spirit. On a family trip to Brazil to visit her older brother, Zac, who is studying the Amazon rainforest, Lea is excited to capture everything she sees with her camera. Soon Lea makes some incredible discoveries, but she also faces unexpected challenges, including a fear of the ocean, tension with Zac, and finding a baby sloth that has been gravely injured. With the help of her family, her new Brazilian friend, Camila, and her late grandmother’s guiding inspiration, Lea finds the inner strength and confidence to live her new adventures to the fullest.

And what I love best about this year's American Girl doll is her Giving Back component!
To show girls that, together, they can make a difference in helping protect animals and their habitats, American Girl has created Wild at Art, a year-long fund-raising campaign in support of World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Starting January 1, American Girl is encouraging girls to use their artistic abilities to host an art sale and donate the proceeds to WWF. To launch the campaign, American Girl has made a $50,000 donation to WWF and also invites customers to contribute at American Girl retail stores and americangirl.com. Parents can visit americangirl.com/wildatart to learn more and register for Wild at Art, plus get animal-themed craft ideas, and be entered into a sweepstakes for the chance to win one of 17 Lea prize packages.

In addition, from January 1 through December 31, 2016, for every purchase of one of the three plush animals in Lea’s collection—the margay, sea turtle, or sloth—American Girl will donate $1 (up to a maximum of $100,000) to WWF.

Other Lea-related initiatives being held throughout the year include the following: Lea™ Born for Adventure Paid App and Online Play: Girls can join Lea in Brazil for an adventure of a lifetime with this paid app, featuring beautiful graphics, exclusive content, and endless play. The app retails for $1.99 and is available for download on americangirl.com/girloftheyear. Girls can also visit the Lea-dedicated site for book excerpts, movie-related content, games and quizzes, wallpaper and e-cards, and much more.

And of course there are plenty of fun events at American Girl Place New York, located at 609 Fifth Avenue at 49th Street, across the street from Saks Fifth Avenue. For reservations and general information, call toll-free 1-877-247-5223.

And the best part is that we are giving away a an American Girl Lea Clark doll to one lucky winner! For a chance to win you must Follow The Staten Island Family on Facebook and leave a comment that you did so. For another chance to win you must FOLLOW @melissaSChapman on Twitter, TWEET this giveaway and leave a comment here that you did so. For another entry you can subscribe to our YOU TUBE CHANNEL and leave a comment here that you did so. For another entry you can Follow MelissaSChapman on Instagram and leave a comment here that you did so! For Another entry you can follow MelissaSChapman on Pinterest . And for another Entry you can subscribe to our newsletter and leave a comment here that you did so! GOOD LUCK giveaway ends January 28th!