by Carol Linacre​​

They come in very cute and well constructed outfits, marked "Wellie Wishers" on their labels. Boots are lined inside and made of plastic. They fit tight and don't come out easy so they don't fall. They have an opening in the back to make it easier to put them on and take them out.

The dolls have 5 points of articulation, neck, shoulders and hips, with limited mobility.  The joints are very basic and look like regular dolls. They don't seem to have strings inside. The head can not be tilted to the sides as shown in picture on the boxes covers.

They are made of vinyl like 18" except for the torso which is made of hard plastic, made of two plates that come together at the sides of the torso. They come marked in their backs with American Girl, made in China, etc., and in the front. it looks like they have underwear imprinted in the plastic, with the logo of the new collection in it. They feel very stiff and it may be hard for little hands to make them sit or to pose at the beginning.  They sit with their legs wide open to keep them balanced, they do stand easily though.

I was asked if these dolls could go in the water. I'd say no. The wigs could detach and also, the joints are not sealed so it's perfectly possible to get water inside their bodies, may be very hard to take it out and dry completely which can lead to mold inside them.

Of all the dolls around this house I've found the closest match would be Disney Pincesses. Here's a picture with Disney Jasmine.

Here's a comparison with some of my other dolls, from left to right and from top to bottom. AG JLY28, A Girl for all Time Matilda, Kidz n Cats Julika, Journey Girls Callie, Karito Kids Gia, both Willa and Kendall along with a measure tape, Disney Animators Merida and Gotz Just Like Me.

They are about 14 1/2" tall. They come in boxes similar to 18"AG dolls, with a cover that has a window. Their head it's placed over a plastic holder and it's tied to the box with a paper cord over a piece of foam. Their feet come covered with foam and they are attached to the box with rubber bands similar to 18" dolls.

Underneath them, attached to the box, comes a small booklet and the card with hair care instructions.

In summary, from a mom of 5 year olds point of view,  I feel the whole collection it's very well created, it may bring endless playing, it's well constructed and it's better priced than big items meant for older girls.

Now from a doll collector point of view. I feel AG fell short in two main points about the dolls. First the hairs. The quality feels inferior, they feel dry and look thin. Their hairs were a little undone so it may require a touch up before displaying. These dolls are meant for younger girls and honestly I don't think it may hold too much brushing or the care a 5 year old may give them. (This may be different for Camille, she has a shorter straight  bob that it's always easier for little hands to handle. Same for Ashlyn and Emerson because their hair is straight, but both have bangs and that's something to consider)

But the biggest fall of all, and my biggest disappointment, it's the torso. The dolls feel very stiff coming out of the box, their mobility is limited, that may change in time with playing, but being the torso made of hard plastic, it lowers the quality and expectations I had  in these little dolls. The Bitty Twins were much more better quality as dolls. They feel to me that the closest comparison would be Disney Animators or Disney Princesses, that's why I pictured Willa with my daughter's Merida (forgive her hair, she's very loved and played with), and Kendall with Princess Jasmine. Disney Animators sell for $20 at the Disney Stores (basic versions).

I feel like these two big flaws makes them a bit over priced. $45 would have been a better price, considering the overall quality of their construction but adding the inset acrylic eyes, the outfits they come dressed, and why not, their packaging as well in the equation to the price.

In my opinion, a book included would have been a nice thing to have too, to improve the price/ performance ratio. Books will be available but for  separate purchase in September.

Hopefully in the future with more of these dolls to come, Mattel makes changes and improves their hair (at least for Willa and Kendall) and gives them vinyl torsos.

And my final wish would be adding boys to this line.

Finally, doll to play? Yes, being careful with their hair and knowing they may be overpriced.

Accessories to play? Yes, by all means!.

Doll to collect? maybe, not so sure. To me and to my own personal  collection, I feel it's better to invest  in other collectible dolls. So this also depends on the direction of your own collection and your expectations. If you like dolls to pose, Wellie Wishers are very limited. If you are looking to add them as little sisters for your 18" dolls display, then they may work for you.

Thank you so much for reading my first review. I hope you like it. Feel free to send me a message if you have questions, want to know other details, or if you want me to write a review on a different doll, all suggestions are more than welcome! just follow the "Contact Us" option at the top or the bottom of the page.

Have great day!

For the love of dolls,

Carol Linacre

©It's a Doll Affair

Kendall, Camille, Willa, Ashlyn, Emerson

I'd like to add that AG included the Wellie Wishers in their Hospital Form. If the doll needs a new head it looks like they will be replacing both head and body since it's included in the price. It's interesting though that sending them to the hospital for a new head, cost about the same of buying a brand new doll, with less waiting time.

This is some of what we saw around the store. I didn't take many pictures  because I went with my 5 year old twins, and I actually wanted to see my daughter reaction to these new dolls. Both were very impressed with the accessories  Wellie Wishers have. My son loved the building set Kendall has in the picture and it made me wish they had a boy in the line. He also loved the bunny that comes in the crate with water bottle and food bowls, it's really cute and the idea it's actually very similar to the one Hopscotch Hills had a while ago (shown in the picture)

My daughter loved the bunny as well but her favorite by any means was the doll house. It's very pretty, and seems well constructed. We loved the size, perfect for her little 5 year old hands, and it comes with many adorable accessories made of hard plastic and  soft fabric. Actually,  I liked it better than Lea's hut.

They also have a little stage theater, a set of  furniture that consist in  a table with chairs and they also offer a cute tea set as additional accessories for it..

Overall it reminded me of the Hopscotch Hills collection and probably it will be in my daughter's wish list for the holidays. I know for sure the bunny is, both were asking for it!

About the dolls they found them pretty but neither of them were too impressed. My daughter didn't pay much attention to them.

Wellie Wishers Review

06/23/2016

First of all I'd like to say this is my honest review from an adult doll collector and mom point of view. It's my personal opinion based on my own experience with dolls. I'm not affiliated with any doll company. All dolls pictured are mine, bought by me and I haven't receive anything in exchange for my review.

Today was the launch of the new American Girl line: Wellie Wishers. This new dolls line consist in 5 dolls (Camille, Kendall, Willa, Emerson and Ashlyn), a doll house, furniture. outfits  and accessories. Dolls are priced at $60 and they are targeted for 5+ to 8 years old range.

I was initially planning to get Emerson (the Asian girl) and Willa (the red head). After looking around at all 5 of them at the store, I've noticed some flaws in their face paint. Especially in Camille, Ashlyn and Emerson.  I couldn't find any Emerson  that I liked, her bangs were messy in the boxes and their teeth were uneven or painted together, or not centered, and the same for their lips. I'm biased here because I  do custom face ups so I may be more picky and I pay much more attention to things that for sure a little girl won't even notice. So please, keep that in mind. I wanted these dolls for my personal collection and eventually for my daughter depending on her interest in them.

I ended up buying Willa and Kendall.

Now here's the review on opening them:

Willa and Kendall don't come with hairnets and their hairs were a bit unruly just coming out of the boxes. Their hairs are wigs and they feel lesser quality than 18" dolls. Willa's hair comes in two side ponytails, with ringlets, and it reminded me of Caroline's hair to the touch. Kendall has very curly hair in side ponytails as well, and hers reminded me of Cecile's hair. Both have short hairs in the backs of their heads to cover the wig caps. Sadly in both the hair feels dry, I missed the soft and shiny sensation from the hairs of the majority of  bigger dolls. In my opinion, it doesn't look like it will hold well the playing of a 5 year old.

They have acrylic inset eyes, that  don't open or close as the 18" dolls. They all have painted lashes. Willa has freckles too.  Emerson doesn't have painted lower lashes. Camille has a beauty mark and Ashlyn has freckles or moles too but in a different pattern than Willa.

Willa's mouth looks more open as if her tongue was visible. Kendall has a closer mouth and it looks more similar to 18" dolls mouths.

Overall I like that all five of them have different details in their face paint.