Stop the Bullying

American Girl has a tradition of creating girls of strong character. Their newest Girl of the Year, Chrissa learns to stand up to a group of girls who bully her at her new school. By using her character and creativity, she also shows her new classmates what it means to be a good friend.

What is Bullying?

From the Wikipedia Dictionary

Bullying is the act of intentionally causing harm to others, through verbal harassment, physical assault, or other more subtle methods of coercion such as manipulation. In colloquial speech, bullying often describes a form of harassment perpetrated by an abuser who possesses more physical and/or social power and dominance than the victim. The victim of bullying is sometimes referred to as a target. The harassment can be verbal, physical and/or emotional. Sometimes bullies will pick on people bigger or smaller than their size. Bullies hurt people verbally and physically. Bullying in school and the workplace is also referred to as peer abuse.

American Girl is inviting girls from all across the country to get involved and learn you can can help yourself, and others, stand up and STOP THE BULLYING!

Enter the American Girl Poster Contest TODAY !

Based on either personal experience, or what you’ve learned, use your creativity to design a poster that demonstrates what you can do to stop the bullying. Think about how you can encourage friends to stand together when it matters most – then pass it on in a poster.

Parents and teachers can also learn how to identify and help stop bullying.

Prizes will be awarded in two age groups (8 – 10) and (11 – 13).

2 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
> A trip to American Girl Place for special recognition at Stop the Bullying Day on May 1st.
> Chrissa’s ENTIRE collection, including 3 books
> An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong on DVD

30 FIRST PRIZE WINNERS
> A Chrissa doll plus 3 books
> An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong on DVD

The schools of all the winners will also receive a classroom curriculum kit, books, a full sized reproduction of the winners poster, and more.

HURRY

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POST MARKED BY FEBRUARY 28, 2009

Visit http://www.americangirl.com/girloftheyear full contest rules.

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Chrissa - 2009 Girl of the Year

American Girl introduces their newest Girl of the Year – Chrissa Maxwell.

Favorite Sports - Swimming and diving

Favorite Activities – Arts & Crafts, especially sewing

Pets – Mini Llamas (Cosmos, Checkers & Starburst)

What she wants - To make friends at her new school

What she learns – It takes courage to stand up to bullying

 It’s the middle of the school year and Chrissa Maxwell’s family has just moved to Edgewater Minnesota to live with her Grandmother. Although she has spent many summers here, swimming and playing at the beach, this time it is different.

Since it is the middle of the school year, everyone at Edgewater Elementary School has already made friends, and Chrissa is nervous. On her first day in class, the other girls are quite unfriendly. Although she tries to be nice, and then ignore the mean girls, they just don’t quit. Soon, the teasing turns into bullying not only at school, but also at swim practice.

In the end, Chrissa finds the courage to stand up to those bullying her, and finds friendship in some unlikely places.

For more information about the American Girl Dolls, visit our website.

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At first, the American Girl Collection (sometimes also referred to as the Historical Dolls) was originally available only through mail-order catalogs. By 1997, Felicity (1774), Addy (1864), and Josephina (1824) were added to the historical doll line up. Now, their combined stories spanned American history from 1764 to 1944.

Although each dolls book series provided examples of young confident girls of character, in 1992, The Pleasant Company took it one step further. In order to help affirm self-esteem, celebrate achievements, and foster creativity in today’s girls, The American Girl® magazine was launched. Currently it ranks as one of the top ten children’s magazines in the nation . Not only that, but it is also the largest magazine dedicated exclusively to girls.

In 1995, a line of contemporary 18-inch Just LIke You® dolls were introduced, that represent the individuality and diversity of today’s American girls. This group of dolls included up to thirty-two different dolls (several have been retired and are no longer sold), each with a unique combination of face mold, skin, hair and eye color (many from the original American Girl/Historical line). This allows the owner to choose the combination that best resembles herself. American Girl also introduced the 15 inch Bitty Baby® (1990) and the set of toddler Bitty Twins® in 2006 (for younger girls ages 3-6). Both Bitty’s are huggable baby and toddler dolls that encourage nurturing behavior.

In the Fall of 1997, AmericanGirl.com was launched.

In 1998, Mattel, Inc.-the world’s leading toy company – acquired the Pleasant Company. That same year, the first American Girl retail store was established in Chicago, and has continued to open locations in major markets across the country.

In 2004, the Pleasant Company changed its name to American Girl.

By 2007, the Historical Doll line had grown to include Kit (1934 – introduced in 2000), Kaya (1764 – introduced in 2002, and Julie (1974 – introduced in 2007). In addition to the main Historical dolls, several ‘friends’ were introduced as well.

In 2001, the first Limited Edition Girl of Today Doll (Lindsey) was introduced. These are currently known as the Girl of the Year Dolls, the most recent being 2008’s Mia.

For more information about the American Girl Dolls, visit our website.

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