American Girl Girl of the Year 2026 Raquel Reyes Review From Mattel Editor's Rating ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 Age Recommendation 6 Share! Editor's Review Raquel Reyes may be the newest American Girl Girl of the Year doll, but she’s got some connections to an American Girl of the past. Raquel is actually related to Samantha Parkington, and kids can read more about Raquel’s family connection to Samantha in the book that accompanies the 18-inch doll. Samantha is Raquel’s great-great-grandmother! Raquel even wears an outfit inspired by Samantha’s iconic look. The gingham-print top has a ruched front and puff sleeves with bows, plus a matching skirt and hairbow. The doll’s pink platform shoes match the pink in the top and skirt with purple bows at the toes. The doll also wears a golden cuff bracelet. When kids ages 6 and up read The Diary of Raquel Reyes by Angela Cervantes, they’ll learn more about the character, including her love of dolphins, her family’s shop in Kansas City, and her big family reunion on the East Coast. Price Check $135 Should I get it? American Girl fans and collectors will love Raquel’s connection to Samantha Parkington, one of the original historical American Girl dolls. But you don’t have to know anything about Samantha, however, in order to enjoy collecting and playing with Raquel. This is a wonderful new character that will appeal to today’s girls, perhaps even inspiring them to go on their own journey of family discovery, as well as tell imaginative stories. ProsHistorical connection to favorite American Girl character New story for today’s girls to discover Imaginative play ConsNone More From This Category ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 Philbin Bunny $27.99 Watch the Review ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 Spring and Hatchlings Moosh-Moosh $14.99 Watch the Review ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 Ms. Rachel Goodnight Frankie Bedtime Playset $24.97 Watch the Review ★★★★★ Rated 4.5 out of 5 The Fantastic Four First Steps Stretch & Bend Mister Fantastic and Human Torch “Flame On!” Flyer $29.97 Watch the Review ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 Skibidi Toilet Plunger Blaster $24.99 Watch the Review ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 Connetix Pro Constructor Set $99.99 Watch the Review ★★★★★ Rated 4.5 out of 5 Disney Stitch Many Moods Angel $44.99 Watch the Review ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 KPop Demon Hunters Journals and Stickers $4.97 Watch the Review
