American Girl doll Samantha turns 25 with new historical novel

The American Girl doll company is marking its 40th anniversary, coinciding with the 25th birthday of one of its popular dolls, Samantha Parkington, according to reports from Aspen Public Radio, Yellowstone Public Radio, and WNYC.

Samantha, a character and doll well-known since the 1990s, is the focus of a new historical fiction novel titled "Samantha: The Next Chapter," written by author Fiona Davis. The book was commissioned to celebrate the company's milestone anniversary.

Fiona Davis, who has authored several New York-set novels, received a Samantha doll when she began working on the book. The story imagines Samantha at age 25 in the year 1920, exploring new narratives for the character.

At the American Girl salon in New York City, stylists maintain and style Samantha dolls, demonstrating care techniques such as spraying water before brushing and trimming bangs to keep the doll in good condition. These details highlight the ongoing engagement with the doll as both a toy and a cultural icon.