American Girl Teams With National Wildlife Federation to Introduce New Doll, Lanie
RSSBy SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 12/31/2009
American Girl and the National Wildlife Federation teaming up? To encourage girls to rediscover the great outdoors, American Girl is introducing Lanie as the 2010 Girl of the Year—and she comes along with free classroom curriculum materials, a photo contest, and two books that tell her story.
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In partnership with the national nonprofit organization, the National Wildlife Federation, American Girl is supporting the Be Out There campaign, which connects families to the outdoors to help them raise healthier, happier kids, and encourage a life-long appreciation of nature.
Research shows that today’s kids spend less time playing outdoors than previous generations, and this inactivity has led to childhood obesity, attention deficit disorders, and even depression, says American Girl.
American Girl and the National Wildlife Federation have also created free downloadable curriculum materials for kids in grades three to five, designed to educate students through fun activities and discussion about elements of different habitats. americangirl.com/girloftheyear.
Written by Jane Kurtz, the two 2010 Girl of the Year books—Lanie and Lanie’s Real Adventures—
introduce readers to 10-year-old Lanie Holland, who loves wildlife and the outdoors, but has a family that prefers to do things at home—and inside. When Lanie’s adventurous and outdoorsy aunt comes to stay with them, Lanie finds a kindred spirit and learns to connect with the natural world around her. Through everyday experiences—growing a garden, bird-watching, camping in her backyard, and creating a butterfly habitat—Lanie discovers how everything in nature is connected and learns there’s a wonderful world right outside her door. To further engage readers, a section at the back of each book includes letters from real girls who, like Lanie, are looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors.
The photo contest involves discovering the great outdoors by snapping a photo of things in your own backyard or on a desert or beach. Five grand-prize and 20 first-prize award winners will be randomly selected from all photo contest entries, with winners receiving a complete Lanie collection, a Lanie doll, and books. Enter online at www.americangirl.com/girloftheyear.
The golden-haired 18-inch doll with curly blond hair and hazel eyes is only available for only one year.
