I gave my sister Addy for Christmas. DD and my nieces have been checking her books out from the library. DD always crys so I end up reading them to her. It sounds like you just found the perfect gift for you niece - birthday? next Christmas?
She's definately bitten, Miki. She's fallen down the slope and there is no stopping now, lol.
Addy is definately a good one to get hooked on for someone who's not from the US, I think. Her stories take place in the second most defining moment of American history and a part of our history that not too many people outside the US know very much about. There were literally dozens of issues that caused our Civil War, and we still haven't gotten a lot of them resolved.
I'm glad that you both enjoyed the Addy stories. I have Addy and I really love her little smile and sweet expression. My family is black and we have a long family history (we have photos and information from both sides back into the 1800s), which is unusual for most blacks in America because it was very difficult to maintain family records during and after slavery. One item that is not an Addy accessory, but which was essential for many former slaves, was a family Bible. These Bibles were used as textbooks when learning to read, were sources of encouragement and hope, and they were also points of reference because important family records (birth, death, marriages)were usually kept there.
**I just ordered a miniature brass-bound Bible for my Addy. I can't wait until it arrives! I hope the little girl in your life gets an Addy of her own. She will love her doll and learn valuable life lessons.
Yesterday afternoon I read Addy learns a lesson and Addy's Surprise to my niece. We loved both stories. My niece has a colored doll by Corolle, which she has named Sarah when she got her two Christmasses ago.
She now told me that if she would have Addy, her Sarah could be Addy's friend, just like in Addy's story. She also thought that Sarah wasn't mentioned enough in the Christmas story.
Somehow I think my niece is turning into an AG addict too. She must have gotten my virus.
Uh oh, the viscious cycle has begun! I am glad she is interested in not only the dolls, but the books too! That is wonderful. I also think that out of all the books Addy's and Kirsten's are the most touching, also the most tragic!
Miki....The period of history that Addy is from is very interesting to me. Especially black history form the time period.
I think your niece should have Addy. She's a beautiful doll, and what a wonderful American History lesson!
Thanks for all your lovely posts. We first started reading the meet books before we got into the dolls. It was because of the books that Kamilla said that Kirsten was her favorite.
One of the reasons I love reading these books to her is, that she learns about different times and eras of American history, as she is actually of American origin. My niece is adopted, as quite a few of the girls here on the board are, but her birth mum (as we refer to her) was American, who happened to be in Austria when she gave birth, and then decided that she can't take the responsibility of raising a child. She did a very responsible thing however, in giving Kamilla up for adoption, and my sister was so lucky to get her. She's a gift, not only to my sister but to our whole family. We got blessed with her.
I still remember the first day, it was a Saturday, when my sister and BIL arrived with her and surprised us with this tiny bundle, just an hour after they collected her from the hospital. She was 6 weeks old. Every single day with her is a joy and blessing.
So, in a way I feel that all the American girl stories are just part of her history too and I want her to learn about that side of herself.
Addy is definitely one of our favorites. Miki, I'm glad you're reading the books with your niece. My daughter has chosen all of her historical dolls based on their stories. She has read the entire AG historical series.
Not only are Addy's stories wonderful (and yes, very sad) but here wardrobe and accessories are some of my favorites.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Marytam, my Addy and her friend Sarah have a Bible I got for them for the reason you mention. I've always found Addy's stories to be the most moving. They can be difficult for young children and I think need to be phased in with some sensitivity but they carry such important lessons. On a lighter note, I love Addy's clothes and accessories. The styles of her period really appeal to me although I don't suppose I would have been very comfortable actually wearing them.Originally posted by Marytam:
[QB]
One item that is not an Addy accessory, but which was essential for many former slaves, was a family Bible. These Bibles were used as textbooks when learning to read, were sources of encouragement and hope, and they were also points of reference because important family records (birth, death, marriages)were usually kept there.
**I just ordered a miniature brass-bound Bible for my Addy. QB]
Miki, this is sort of OT: but does your niece carry American citizenship due to her birth status to an American? Just curious. Diana originally had a Russian passport, but President Clinton signed a new bill the year we adopted that said as soon as her feet touched US soil she was American. We arrived from Moscow to Chicago and the first thing I did was let her stand up in the airport! Boom! Now you're American! She now has a US Passport, but of course, we still have the Russian one too. To be honest, I'm not even sure of the US regulations on dual citizenship or how that would work for Diana if she ever chose to want to have some political connection back to Russia. When we travel with her back there, it will definitely be on a US passport, I don't want any questions that she isn't "ours"! I've also wondered if the US soil thing applied to the US embassy in Moscow when we had her there for the final paperwork, we had already been to court so she was legally ours and I think embassy land is considered that country's soil too.
Foreign adoption does tend to make the world a much smaller place. Does your niece know of her adoption?
Laurie
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