Hej, Kirsten: Reviewing American Girl's® 18" Kirsten Larson™ Doll

Image and "Kirsten: 1854" logo belong to American Girl®.

During my childhood years of doll collecting, Kirsten Larson went largely unnoticed. I remember reading her book Meet Kirsten and being inconsolable when her friend, Marta, died of cholera, but Kirsten didn't stand out to me.

I concede that eleven- twelve-year-old Alia was more interested in the flashy outfits of American Girl's Truly Me™ or Girl of the Year™ lines. Kirsten's simple cotton dress was no match to the sequins and ruffles that held my attention as a child.

Still, with all my rationalization, I remain surprised at my nonchalance. My family owned a boxed set of the Little House on the Prarie TV show, which we watched every night with dinner. I loved Laura Ingalls and the pretty prairie dresses she and her sister Mary wore. I was incredibly jealous for them when mean little Nellie Oleson, Laura's sworn enemy, wore prettier dresses than they.

Somewhere between Little House on the Prairie and American Girl was a disconnect that mended in the decade between my last doll-collecting stint and this one. When I visited the American Girl Place in Dallas in early December and saw the Special Edition Kirsten Larson, I immediately told my mother, who accompanied me, that I was "getting two dolls, and I didn't want to hear anything." It was too difficult to choose between Kirsten and Molly McIntire, who I'd already decided to take home.

Image courtesy of American Girl®.

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Kirsten's box, modeled after the original Pleasant Company doll boxes used during her 1986 release, is maroon versus the modern American Girl red. "The American Girls Collection," in an off-shoot of Times New Roman font, is printed under the circular picture window at the doll's eye level. A photo of the 18" Kirsten doll and book, accompanied by her original illustrated logo, occupies the bottom third of the box.

Under the lid in a small plastic tray is Meet Kirsten by Janet Shaw. Meet Kirsten, formatted in the original parchment style of the historical character's books, features full-page color illustrations. I finished the fifty-three-page book in roughly thirty minutes.

Beneath Meet Kirsten are Kirsten's accessories, available only with the 18" doll and not sold separately. Kirsten has a red and white checked cotton bonnet featuring a wide brim, gathered back, and wide fabric ties.

Designed to loop around her neck is Kirsten's plastic amber heart pendant hanging on a thin brown ribbon. Her cotton spoon bag, based on the Swedish kjolsäck, is decorated with red and blue cloth. The small outer pocket, perfect for slipping in her wooden spoon, is embroidered with "1854." Finally, a small off-white cotton handkerchief bordered with red thread and embroidered blue crosses sits neatly in Kirsten's apron pocket.

Image courtesy of American Girl®.

Kirsten has five vinyl limbs and a soft, flesh-colored cotton body. Her open-and-shut eyes are a clear blue, adorned with thick black lashes.

Kirsten's blonde hair, styled with pie bangs and two looped braids, is tied with woven hairbows. Her bonnet is large enough for her looped braids to tuck under, with enough length on the ties for a large bow.

She wears a long-sleeved, high-neck blue calico print dress decorated with red flowers. At the neck of the dress is a velcro closure. White trimming decorates the arm and neck holes. Pre-tied around her waist is a red and white striped cotton apron, with a small pocket on the left to hold Kirsten's handkerchief.

Under her dress are white cotton pantalettes with flower eyelet details, covering thick gray and dark yellow nylon socks. Kirsten's boots are brown faux leather, tied with a brown cord.

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Kirsten makes a delightful addition to my collection and brings me one doll closer to collecting every historical American Girl doll (my current pursuit). Kirsten is suited for collectors of all ages but does pose a few concerns for younger people:

1. Kirsten's hair comes styled in two looped braids. Similar to Molly McIntire, her hair should remain in its original style. Once a doll's hair is removed from factory styling, it is nearly impossible to recreate exactly. The salon at the American Girl Place does offer services to recreate her hairstyle, but Kirsten is best to skip if your child wants to play with her doll's hair.

2. Most of Kirsten's accessories are cloth, but her small wooden spoon poses a choking habit for children prone to putting things in their mouths.

3. Kirsten's accessories are only available through purchasing the 18" Kirsten Larson doll, making lost accessories difficult and potentially expensive to replace.

If unruly hair or missing pieces is not a concern to you or whoever you purchase a doll for, Kirsten has a colorful and patterned design, perfect for children (and adults who grew up watching Little House on the Prarie).

Image courtesy of American Girl®.

The Kirsten Larson™ Doll, Book, and Accessories retail for $160 on the American Girl® website.