The New AG Book "All About Us" is GENIUS, and Here's Why
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- Опубліковано 20 жов 2024
- I haven't seen a lot of focus on this new(ish) American Girl book, but it is SOOO good. If you don't own a copy (or have only given yours a cursory glance) I hope this will make you excited about buying and USING All About Us :-)
Thanks so much for spending some time with me today. And thank you for all your support and kind comments - they mean a ton!
-Kristie
agtakesover@gmail.com
The original Girl of Today (Truly Me) dolls were released in 1995 with 6 blank books for girls to write themed stories like the original historical doll stories. It includes a writing guide with a structure similar to what is taught in school.
“All About Us” is a huge jump in 27 years to encourage the creativity and imagination to tell a doll’s story!
I have this six book set and always intended to scan in the pages and post them online so that people could use them to write their own (they're not *totally* blank, there's some sentence starters/prompts). Thanks for the unintentional reminder to get on that.
Yeah, now that you mention it, I do recall seeing those books. I didn't own them, but I know which ones you're talking about. And yes, this seems like an upgraded version of those.
@@fthurman Blank books are still sold online. I have bought a few online. I can see people using the “All About Us” prompts and their own artwork/other images in blank books to create books about their dolls without writing in the main book or to extend the stories beyond the books you have.
@@TrobertABQ when you say "blank books' do you just mean in general? Or the Six book Girl of Today set? Of course the former can easily be found new online, but the latter, you'd have to purchase them secondhand from somewhere like eBay or mericai.
@@fthurman The blank books I am referring to have blank white covers and blank white pages. They are similar to the original books with no print on the covers or inside.
I definitely agree this book is well done and even as an adult it’s pretty appealing. It might sound rather corny to some but it seems like it would be a nice way to heal your inner child. Reconnect with yourself at that age. Maybe even think about how to apply it to our current adult lives. Hoping it is available for individual purchase (not a huge fan of the new TM dolls) I do wish this was around when I was a kid but I’ve never even had AG dolls growing up. But yes it’s such a great book. ❤
Yes - I think it could be very healing and a great way to be kind to yourself and carve out time for imagination and wonder. I hope that people who see this video and don't love the TM line will reach out to AG and encourage them to sell the book separately. It's really a missed opportunity not to, as plenty of people would buy it for dolls they already own, so more sales.
This was great. You are absolutely correct that anything AG can do to get girls to bond with their dolls will benefit everyone. I may actually have to buy this book now. :) Thanks for sharing!
Unfortunately, (for now) AG doesn't sell it separately :-( I hope people who watch this will reach out to AG and encourage them to sell it individually. I'm sure plenty of ppl would buy it for their existing dolls.
@@agtakesover That's a great idea. There are also a few people selling it on eBay.
I love this book, too! I’m going to fill it out for the doll it came with. It’ll help me get to know her better. I’m so glad AG is returning to the fill-in-your-own books. I missed them! I have a few of the older books from 2005-2006 that I filled out for two of my oldest dolls. Not completely. I go back and fill things on from time to time. I suggest writing in pencil if you’re like me and sometimes change your mind about a doll’s interests. The PC blank books are fun, too. My mom would’ve encouraged me to write my doll’s story had I gotten an AGOT when I was younger.
I love that you still have the older books you filled out for your dolls. We have a couple copies of the book, so what I'm thinking is - pick one and write in the actual book for that one, then make some photocopies of the book if I enjoy doing it. That way I can fill it in for as many dolls as I want.
@@agtakesover photocopies are a great idea!
I agree, the book is impressive! I have some of the early published AG magazines and love the interactive sections. To answer your question, I would pick a doll from your collection since you have “more” history and can use to fill in sections. Or if you choose a new doll, you would need to “live” with him/her and develop thoughts, impressions, and experiences before you can tackle sections of the book.
I knew I was going to either pick one of my first dolls or one of my newest ones (rather than a doll from the middle). But I think I'm actually going to go with one of the newest dolls since it will push me to do stuff with her and make those memories. Plus, that will give me the same experience a customer getting their first TM doll would have.
I absolutely ADORE this book. When I got my TM112, Carnes, I think I sat there for an hour going through the book, mentally answering the questions. I didn't jot anything down because, at least at the time, it wasn't sold individually. I'm going to the AG store today and I'll have to see if they have it out separately because I'd definitely buy a copy for each of my dolls that don't have a story already. It reminds me so much of the blank book set that came with the original AGOTs. (Of which I wrote the Meet and the School story for mine before inevitably getting distracted; I wonder if I can still find them in my childhood bedroom?) I hope you fill one out with one of your dolls! Maybe the one you feel like you already know some answers to? Or the one where you'd really have to think about it? I can see many different potential paths for you, since you have so many dolls from which to choose. I think you said in a past "all my dolls" video that you don't necessarily have set personalities and such for your dolls (Gianna being one of the exceptions), so I could see wanting to develop one wholesale using the book or picking someone, like Gianna, who has some spark to her from which to jump off. But point being- this book makes it pretty easy, either way! Thank you for the video, this was very enjoyable.
Please let me know if they have started selling this book separately! I don't think they have, and I'm hoping ppl will reach out to AG and encourage them to. After all, a lot of ppl would be willing to buy it for dolls they already have and it's not like that will stop ppl from buying the TMs they want, so it just makes good financial sense. I think I'm going to to fill it out with one of my most recent dolls, TM 107 (Luca). We do have a couple copies of this book, so I'll save at least one so if AG doesn't decide to sell it separately, I can make photocopies of a blank one :-)
I have about 30 of those Friends books. I wonder if my local library will take any
Or an elementary school or middle school. School counselors might use them as part of their work.
I definitely want to get my hands on a copy of that book! 😍🤟🏽 Need it!!! 🤩
You should! I'm hoping people who watch this will reach out to AG and encourage them to sell it separately. A lot of ppl would get it for dolls they already own, so it's a good business move.
I don’t have any new truly me dolls yet but this book is really good and it’s nice to know that if I get more than one I don’t just have the same book. Answer to your question I’d personally pick a doll that I’m not really connecting/bonding with, wether that be a newer or older doll.
Agreed! I really hope ppl will encourage AG to sell the book separately. I think a lot of ppl would buy it for dolls they already own. And we have a couple copies of the book, so what I'm thinking is - pick one and write in the actual book for that one, then make some photocopies of the book if I enjoy doing it. That way I can fill it in for as many dolls as I want. I might start with the most recent doll I got.
thank you for showing us! this book is great!
Right?! It's been out for months and I haven't seen a lot of excitement about it, but it's so creative and engaging.
I would pick the newest doll. We tend to bond less and less with newer dolls, and you are off to a fresh start.
You know, I was thinking I'd pick either one of my first dolls or one of my most recent ones rather than one of the in-between dolls, and I'm leaning toward your suggestion, which would me Luca, my TM107 :-)
The book is something I would have loved and filled out in great detail when I was younger. I feel like all of my creative flow has been drained as an adult and it would be a severe struggle for me. A majority of my dolls (that didn’t come with a name) don’t even have a name because even though I have a long list of names I really like, I have trouble assigning one of those names to a doll. That is probably because I am the worst at making decisions just in general. I like the look and idea of the book though and agree it is more useful (especially if you have multiple tm dolls) than the previously included book.
You have dolls just waiting to be named?! We have to remedy this lol. We have a spreadsheet of all the dolls and their names, details, etc. Grace is more likely to forget some of the newer ones' names than I am lol. But only one is currently unnamed (a recent addition). And yes, this book is SO MUCH BETTER if you have multiple TMs. Who needs 5 copies of Making and Keeping Friends (or whatever it was called)??
@@agtakesover yeah, it’s really sad and pathetic (lol). I have 4 of my unnamed dolls standing on my kitchen table alongside Kavi and I’ve been staring at them for almost 2 weeks trying to nail down a name for each. SMH
@@prbambi9934 You can try to name them by tax day lol
I didn’t even realize this was a thing! Great video!
Thanks! Yeah, I'm wondering if they'll sell it separately. I really hope so. A lot of ppl would buy the book for their other dolls, I think.
Pick one of your first dolls.
I might. I'm in between one of the first and one of the most recent, but I don't think I'll pick someone from in between.
I have a ton of those books , So glad to hear your review ! Do you think a seven year old is too young for that book?I guess I could give her one and see what happens.
I don't think a seven year old is too young, but I guess it could depend on their reading/writing abilities. If nothing else, it could become something you work on together if it's a little too old for her. I hope she enjoys it!
@@agtakesover Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I don't get to see the little girl very often but she and her little bother love to "shop" in what they call my doll store, I have sent a message out to see if someone can help her read and write in the book, I think it would be a good project for her, Thanks for your review!
Great review on the book! I’ve been interested in it but haven’t picked up a new TM to see one yet.
I’d pick a doll I’m already close to if I wanted to just have fun filling it out. I’d pick a doll I really want to bond with but haven’t if I wanted a challenge. I’d likely use it for a brand new doll with my daughter if we got one tbh.
That makes perfect sense! I'll have to share once I pick the doll I want to start with :-)
I have a suggestion for The book you could take a notebook and fill out all the answers on a sheet of paper and place pictures of u with each of the dolls and add things the dolls like to do in groups like have a tea party or hang out
I wanted to do this so I can keep using the book over and over in case I didn’t get a another copy
I like this idea. We have a couple copies of the book, so what I'm thinking is - pick one and write in the actual book for that one, then make some photocopies of the book if I enjoy doing it. That way I can fill it in for as many dolls as I want.
@@agtakesover that’s a great idea because it’s hard to pick one doll to focus on when u have a few I have this problem I can’t pick a favorite there are some I do like more than others for different reasons but I don’t have a favorite at this time
I want to get truly me 116 I think that’s the right number Marie grace face mold purple pink hair
I hope it works out for u and you enjoy make memories with ur dolls like a group picture
I have always want to have a tea party with my dolls where we get dressed up nice and set at the table and get a picture
@@AnnasToyReview I love the idea of a tea party with your dolls! I recently met up with two women I met through this channel. We went to the AG store in Columbus and had lunch at a nearby restaurant afterward. We each took a doll along and it was really fun!
I would've loved a book like this when I got my doll in 2014. I probably would've played with her a lot longer! I didn't even have a name for her until three years ago, when I started recollecting again
Right?! I think this book has so much potential to help ppl connect with their dolls more. And I've decided I'm going to do it at age 44 lol. Never too late ;-)
Positive reenforcement would suggest that you pick a doll that you feel like you wouldn't have to struggle to fill in a good portion of the information for. If just off the cuff you think you could probably easily supply 50% or more of the answers then figuring out the other 49
I love this approach! If it were you, would you only pick from TM dolls or would named dolls be candidates, too? And yes, I've seen those 6 blank books (I'd forgotten about seeing them) and love that idea too!
@@agtakesover Oooh... that's fun to think about! Me personally: I have two very distinct collections - my historicals, who retain as faithfully as possible their canon characters, and my moderns, which are ALL original characters, though the dolls may've 'started' as GotY/historicals/whomever. But I can imagine it would be really cool to do that, as it would be the best research passion project ever (or as much as can be done, it's not like Addy is going to have a favourite website)! In that case, I'd keep as much of the information as is provided for the character as canon as possible, and then only fill in the blanks as needed with my own ideas.
I know you have some modern named characters though, like Z (I think? but let's use her as an example) - which brings up the fun issue of, is your Z = AG's Z, OR is she loosely based on AG's Z, but ultimately your own Z? Or, I guess, entirely your own, just sharing a name, Z?
Regardless, filling in information from the books is a different beast than creative world building, but one could see both equally as fun - or one significantly more daunting. I'd go with whatever was more fun/less daunting first.
I think you should pick your favourite doll or a doll that you relate to, i wish i could share my pictures with you, im thinking off making a junk journal for my therapy doll, she is coming along great, i love doing the braids and ading the charms, it really helps me to relax.
Oh, please do share pictures! You can send them to my email: agtakesover@gmail.com
@@agtakesover Okay, i will do that soon, thank you
I have been fortunate enough to buy “All About Us”, “Nicki’s Journal” and “Isabel’s Journal” second hand without buying the dolls they come with. I am happy to have all of these books and encourage people who have multiple copies of “All About Us” and don’t want to keep them for each doll to sell the extra books second hand for a reasonable price. This is a colorful, fun book!
What I have thought about having one book is to write answers on lined paper or to photo copy pages. I like the idea of being able to include using it for dolls that are not the new Truly Me dolls. Pick the favorite dolls that have stories and personalities that I would want to spend this kind of time and imagination with!
Yes - I really want them to sell the book separately, but if they don't, I'll keep at least one of our copies of it in tact so I can make photocopies and have unlimited opportunities to use it.
I have 4 FAVORITE dolls, so not sure whom I'd pick. Maybe, pick 2-3 dolls, put their names in a hat, close your eyes and pick a name
We have a couple copies of the book, so what I'm thinking is - pick one and write in the actual book for that one, then make some photocopies of the book if I enjoy doing it. That way I can fill it in for as many dolls as I want.
I’d pick a doll that you know more about for your first try with the book and then maybe try it with a new doll. That would give you both experiences.
I have 2 of these books but the new TMs they came with don’t have well developed personalities yet so filling out this book would be a chore for me. I’m kinda excited to try it with one of my more developed characters. Thanks for the idea as I had it in my head that this book “belonged” to the doll it came with.
@@melangellperry5984 I might take that approach, but it's also kind of appealing to create stories and memories with a completely new doll (which would be the TM107 I got for Christmas in my case).
Do the book with your doll look alike, if you don’t have a favorite.
I'm kind of thinking of doing it with Luca, my 107, but I still haven't decided for certain, so I'll keep this in mind :-)
I really like the idea of this book.When I get my Truly Me doll I will fill the book out. I'm 23 almost 24 years old and I love this book already.😂
It's a lot of fun. I've been filling one in for Luca, my TM 107, because she's the first doll I got that came with one of these books. I hope you have fun with it when you get one!
I got my first just like you/truly me doll in 2006 I got a book similar to this one but the new all about us book is alot better. Then the other books that came with truly me dolls later one were OK but this one is the best.
Yes, I never owned those earlier books that came with the truly me/JLY dolls, but I did see them once. I agree - this is a super-improved take on those earlier books
Oh I hope they start selling these books separately!! I just got Claudie for my bday last month and Kit got delivered today and I’m working on Nicki next but then next girl I want is TM110 so I might have to wait awhile for the book lol ☺️ thanks for doing a video on it , it looks like fun I’ve always liked these kinda books much better than the feeling books or body books I do really like the historical story books though I hope they keep them !!
@@lillypad7879 Agreed about the historicals - I like them having fleshed out stories provided. But I would love for AG to sell these separately so that those who choose to write about their adventures with their historical or GOTY (or older TM) dolls can do so.
@@agtakesover that would be awesome!! And to make more mysteries too those are my favorites lol 😁
This is a bonus entry to your 1K subscriber giveaway. @isobelofavonlea
I fully enjoyed watching this video and learning about all of this books features. I did watch this when you first published it, but had not left a comment. Somehow, I went from being a subscriber to not being a subscriber and had taken a little break from watching UA-cam. Anyway, have come back to it because it was that good! I have since purchased a truly me, and the book is everything you said it was! And yes, this would've been an amazing addition from the very beginning. I wonder if Pleasant herself thought of doing this!
I'm glad you're back! Which Truly Me did you get? Since this video, I've started filling in the journal for Luca, my TM 107 and I'm really enjoying it!
@AG Takes Over Truly Me 122. I named her Liv. However, I'm thinking of using the book for my Nicki! I feel so close with her like nothing I've felt before with a doll. I mean, Rebecca Rubin is very special to me as well. But with Nicki, I already know "all of the things" to put into that book! I'm so story ready with her!
@@shes_a_parkington That's awesome you have such a connection with her. I'm developing my story through the journal rather than using the journal to document the story that already lives in my head. I love that it works for both approaches :-)