Raquel Reyes Brings Latina Roots To American Girl As 2026 Girl of the Year

Raquel Reyes Brings Latina Roots To American Girl As 2026 Girl of the Year
Credit: Jeremy Lloyd

American Girl has introduced Raquel Reyes as its 2026 Girl of the Year. She arrives with a story that blends heritage with everyday life, offering young readers a character who honors her past while exploring the world around her. Her debut also comes as the brand prepares to celebrate its fortieth anniversary, a milestone that underlines how its stories continue to evolve with each generation.

American Girl 2026 By Family And Roots

Raquel lives in Kansas City with her parents, her younger brother, and her rescue dog Luzita. She helps at the family’s paleta shop and spends her time trying new hobbies, from DJing and pickleball to learning about dolphins and marine rescue work. Her father is of Mexican American heritage, and her mother is a descendant of Samantha Parkington, one of American Girl’s original historic characters.

Her story takes her to coastal New England for a reunion and wedding where she reconnects with her cousin Sloan. Their relationship is tested as Sloan struggles with adoption and identity, until Raquel discovers Samantha’s childhood diary in the family attic. Reading her great great grandmother’s words helps her realize that family is built not on ancestry alone but on love, support, and shared experience. By showing compassion, she finds a way to help Sloan open up and to strengthen the bonds that connect them.

Kindness As A Legacy

“Kindness is a key trait parents want to instill in their children, and it’s at the heart of Raquel’s story,” said Jamie Cygielman, Global Head of Dolls at Mattel, in an official press release. “Just as our beloved American Girl historical character Samantha Parkington inspired generations with her compassion and courage, Raquel continues that legacy for today’s girls. Through Raquel’s story, we hope kids see that they, too, can make a positive difference in the lives of others, starting with the people closest to them.”

Raquel’s journey is shared through an illustrated journal and a full length novel, Raquel Saves the Wedding, written by award winning author Angela Cervantes. Like Raquel, Cervantes is half Mexican American and from Kansas City. “It was an absolute joy to create Raquel Reyes as the American Girl 2026 Girl of the Year,” she said. “What makes Raquel especially special to me is that she is from my home, Kansas City, and that she carries Samantha’s legacy forward while showing that being true to yourself and staying connected to your family and roots is a source of strength.”

American Girl has introduced Raquel Reyes as its 2026 Girl of the Year. She arrives with a story that blends heritage with everyday life
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The Impact of Raquel Reyes

The Raquel Reyes doll is eighteen inches tall with light brown eyes and brown hair styled in a half updo. She arrives in a gingham outfit with platform shoes and a bow cuff bracelet, details that echo Samantha’s signature style. Her accessories include a tote bag, sunglasses, and a cell phone set, along with keepsakes such as recipes, photographs, and a necklace inspired by Samantha’s locket. Her collection expands into fashion and play sets that feature pickleball gear, striped seaside pajamas, and a car designed for beach adventures.

American Girl is pairing her debut with a donation of books valued at over one hundred thousand dollars to Save the Children. The contribution will provide resources for children in underserved rural communities and reinforce the role of storytelling as a tool for connection.

A Celebration That Extends To Fans

Raquel’s story will be brought to life through experiences at American Girl retail stores, where fans can explore her collection, enjoy themed salon styles, attend special events, and try menu items inspired by her character. Online, her arrival will be marked with the debut of the song “Family Forever,” which premieres on YouTube and YouTube Kids on September nineteenth and will also be available on major streaming platforms.

Her introduction comes during the twenty fifth year of the Girl of the Year series. As American Girl looks toward its fortieth anniversary, Raquel Reyes steps into the role of carrying the past into the present, offering young readers and fans a character shaped by kindness, heritage, and family ties.

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