Kansas City's Latino Community Inspires New American Girl Doll, Raquel Reyes

The Creation of Raquel Reyes

• ✍️ Author Angela Cervantes was approached by American Girl in early 2024 to create the 2026 Girl of the Year doll.
• 🔗 Raquel Reyes is a descendant of the original American Girl doll, Samantha Parkington, first released in 1986.
• 💡 Cervantes aimed to incorporate Samantha's spirit of speaking up against injustice into Raquel's story.

Mexican-American Representation and Community

• 🏘️ Cervantes's stories, including Raquel's, reflect her own Mexican-American community in Kansas City.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Raquel's story features a family reunion, drawing inspiration from Cervantes's own family gatherings.
• 🍦 Her parents own a paleta shop, a nod to the entrepreneurship and cultural contributions of the community.

Significance of Hispanic Heritage Month Launch

• 🗓️ The doll's launch during Hispanic Heritage Month was a surprise to Cervantes but considered a positive and timely move.
• 😔 Cervantes noted the current challenging times for the Hispanic community and the need for positive representation.

Ancestral Strength and Inspiration

• ✊ Raquel draws strength from her ancestors, including Samantha Parkington's lineage, who lived during a time of industrial labor and women's suffrage movements.
• 💪 The author hopes young readers will gain strength and inspiration from Raquel's story to speak up and take action.

Impact on Children's Literacy and Identity

• 📚 Cervantes strives to write engaging books that encourage children, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to become lifelong readers.
• 🌟 Seeing themselves reflected in dolls and stories can significantly influence children's reading habits and foster a sense of belonging.
• 🤝 The doll also serves as an opportunity for children unfamiliar with Mexican-American culture to learn and connect.

Emotional Reception and Future Hopes

• 😭 The creation of Raquel has been an emotionally overwhelming experience, with many expressing gratitude for seeing themselves represented.
• 💖 Cervantes hopes this success encourages American Girl and other doll makers to continue creating diverse and inclusive characters.
• ✅ The doll's demand signifies that the public wants to see and celebrate stories that matter, providing a much-needed celebration and sense of visibility.