American Girl McKenna Ready to Fly
This January, girls everywhere will flip for McKenna, American Girl’s new 2012 Girl of the Year. A determined, energetic girl who loves gymnastics, McKenna shines on the balance beam, but when she falls behind in school, she must use her strengths to turn challenges into triumphs.
Through McKenna, girls will discover the power of believing in themselves and their potential to achieve great things. Available for one year, McKenna will launch with two books that tell her story; a beautiful 18-inch McKenna doll featuring long, caramel-colored hair and blue eyes; and an array of outfits and accessories that bring her world to life.
And, extending the fun for girls, an all-new movie based on McKenna’s stories will premiere on DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment in 2012.
Written by Mary Casanova, the 2012 Girl of the Year books, McKenna and McKenna, Ready to Fly!, introduce readers to McKenna Brooks, a skilled gymnast whose confidence tumbles when she starts having difficulty with reading comprehension—an issue affecting many children as they enter fourth grade.
With the help of her tutor, McKenna learns to bring the same focus and determination she uses in her gymnastics training to improve her reading skills and get her grades back up. As McKenna’s self-assurance deepens, so does her desire to help her friends to face their own challenges.
The nonfiction section in the back of the McKenna books features questions and advice from real girls on overcoming obstacles in the classroom and beyond.
To explore their own special talents, girls can participate in the McKenna’s Take the Challenge! strength-finding quiz at americangirl.com/girloftheyear. Upon completion of the quiz, girls will discover their top three strengths out of a possible eight categories, such as Music & Rhythm, Math & Numbers, and Nature & Animals.
After completing ten fun offline challenges that correspond to a particular strength category, girls will receive a trophy. And for each trophy earned, American Girl will donate 25¢ (up to $50,000) to Save the Children’s U.S. Literacy Program.
American Girl is also introducing a companion book to the McKenna series, Take the Challenge: Crazy Challenges and Silly Thrills to Explore Your Talents and Everyday Skills.
The non-fiction activity book is filled with more than 100 challenges, including brain-building games, timed tasks, crafts, and quizzes, to help girls improve their skills and boost their self-confidence.
Starting on Jan. 1, 2012, the McKenna doll, books, and accessories will be available for one year or while supplies last through American Girl’s catalogue, at americangirl.com, and at all American Girl retail locations.
American Girl Brands is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, the world’s leading toy company.
