American Girl's Melody Ellison - Detroit Debut {review}

My Peanut girl (6 years old) and I had a very special opportunity. On August 20th, we headed into Detroit to attend a special debut evening for American Girl's newest addition to their BeForever line, Melody Ellison.

The energy inside the Charles H. Wright Museum was high as little girls everywhere carried their American Girl dolls around and enjoyed the different activities.

First, we grabbed a snack to eat and something to drink. Have you ever tried Soul Food Macaroni and Cheese?
Y'all....it is SO yum. (which reminds me to look up a recipe to try)

As we made our way around the room, we found a craft station. Girls were invited to choose a pendant to color that went along with Melody's story of lifting her voice in the civil rights movement of the 60's. We were also given a sticker sheet. And, well, you can see the smile on Eliana's face. She enjoyed the thoughtfulness of things meant just for her to enjoy.

As we finished up making a pendant, we heard motown hits as sung by a local girls' choir. They were phenomenal! Eliana watched carefully with a smile on her face as the choir sang. She admired their bravery to sing in front of hundreds, their dance moves, and the beautiful voices as they sang out.

Next, it was over to the photo box. Eliana got her picture taken and it was emailed to us to use in social media streams. The idea is to share a photo or video with the hashtag, #LiftYourVoice, and talk about how you're joining American to lift your voice for change. Head over to the website mentioned above to learn more about it!

We were introduced to the team of people who worked so hard to make sure that Melody's story, told from the 60's Civil Rights movement in Detroit, MI, was told well. American girl partnered with the African American History Museum (Charles H. Wright Museum) as well as those who lived in Detroit during the time of Melody's story and those who have studied the Civil Rights movement. The details are so important to get right, all the way down to the tiniest accessory created for Melody's line.

Honestly, I don't believe this doll could have been introduced at a better time. My children have questions about the tension they're aware of and want to know how to be a part of the solution. Wrapping their arms around this doll, reading her story, and learning the history behind this point in time is so helpful and so needed.

Eliana would like to return to the museum with her Melody doll to learn African American history. When she asked me if we could do that, I responded with tears in my eyes, "Yah, sweetheart. I'd love to come back and learn with you."

That leads us to the museum gift shop where she got to see Melody up close for the first time & check out her sets and accessories. (Sidetone: The museum gift shop will stock and sell Melody, her books, and some accessories until September 5th! Otherwise, she can be purchased online or you can head to Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi to buy her until January 31.)

We loved seeing and touching all the items created in Melody Ellison's line. Her winter dress and travel set, her block party set, her bedroom set, and of course her recording studio. And, I smiled so big when I found a Vernor's bottle in her block party set (pictured below). The little nods to Detroit and the 60's make the perfect personal touch.

We loved our night in Detroit, topped off with a can of Faygo pop, because, of course!

Then, over the weekend, Melody Ellison arrived at our home. My girls screamed so loud with excitement. I honestly have never heard them so excited over an American Girl doll before. I think Eliana's night at her debut made her excited to have this Detroit beauty in our home.

The flip in her hair and the texture of her hair, the herringbone dress, the neckline, the grosgrain ribbon bows, the side pleats, the paten shoes and knee high socks...all of it is perfection.

And yes, her face is molded different from the caucasian dolls. She is pure, African American beauty. We just love having her here and are reading her story together.