Why We Love the American Girl Maryellen Larkin Doll

If you’re looking for a meaningful gift that sparks creativity and imagination, the American Girl Maryellen Larkin doll is a beautiful choice. Inspired by life in 1954, Maryellen comes wearing a charming striped dress, an aqua shrug, and classic Mary Jane shoes. Her story is told in an award-winning BeForever book that brings her character to life with heart, family values, and a bit of 1950s flair. As with all American Girl dolls, Maryellen is designed with incredible quality, thoughtful details, and an authentic story girls can connect with.

A Special First Doll

My oldest daughter quickly fell in love with American Girl dolls. We visited our first American Girl store at Alderwood Mall near Seattle when she was only two years old. A few years later, I gave her my own Truly Me doll from the early 2000s, which she still adores. Outfits and accessories are my daughter’s favorite part of the collection, and Maryellen Larkin is the perfect blend of vintage style and personality. Maryellen makes a lovely first doll for any young girl starting her collection.

We received the American Girl Maryellen Larkin doll for review. All opinions are our own and based on our family’s experiences.

Meet American Girl Maryellen Larkin – 1954 BeForever Doll – 2015 Release

Darling 1950s Fashion

Maryellen Larkin has long strawberry-blond hair styled in a high ponytail with side-swept bangs. Her hazel eyes open and close, and she has a soft cloth body with movable arms and legs that allow for sitting and standing poses. She comes dressed in a sweet 1950s-style dress with soft stripes, a sweetheart neckline, and a full skirt. Her outfit is completed with white underwear, black Mary Janes, and a monogrammed aqua shrug.

Maryellen’s accessories are available separately and include a knit purse, white gloves, and pearl jewelry. Her aqua bow ties it all together. One of the things I appreciate most about American Girl doll clothing is that even young girls can dress their dolls on their own. The pieces are easy to put on and remove, which helps build confidence and independence.

Quality You Can See and Feel

American Girl dolls are known for their durability and soft, huggable design. The hair is high quality and so girls can style it repeatedly without tangling or frizz. I’ve shown my daughter how to gently brush her doll’s hair using a wire brush, just like I used to with mine. Dolls like Maryellen Larkin are especially fun to style with braids, twists, and ponytails. No need for hair products, just a little care goes a long way.

A Story Full of Heart

Maryellen’s book, The One and Only: A Maryellen Classic by Valerie Tripp, received the 2015 NAPPA Silver Award. The story follows nine-year-old Maryellen as she tries to stand out in a family full of siblings. Between making new friends, learning from her mistakes, and dreaming of a white Christmas in sunny Florida, the book is filled with moments that young readers will find relatable and encouraging.

Reading the story together has been a wonderful way to connect with my daughter and learn more about what life was like in the 1950s.

Expand the World of Maryellen

American Girl also offers a full line of Maryellen Larkin-themed clothing, accessories, and furniture. From retro couches and jukeboxes to poodle skirts and birthday dresses, each piece adds more fun to the storytelling experience. These extra sets are perfect for imaginative play and make thoughtful gift ideas for birthdays, holidays, or special milestones.

Maryellen Larkin Doll Review

We loved meeting the American Girl character Maryellen Larkin (released in 2015). First, her 1950s outfit is just darling. Maryellen’s beautiful dress is detailed with muted stripes and delicate aqua ribbon. Her strawberry-blond hair cascades over her shoulder in a playful ponytail. Her aqua hair bow coordinates perfectly with her dress.

Give Your Doll A Custom Hairstyle

One of my favorite things about American Girl dolls is their hair, which you can style in many ways. In my own experience, the doll hair is fairly easy to keep silky and untangled. I’ve shown my daughter how to gently brush her doll’s hair with a wire brush. The hair is made from very good quality fibers. Over the years, I arranged my own Truly Me doll’s hair countless times. She still looks practically brand new!

American Girl dolls with longer hair like Maryellen Larkin are really fun to style with french braids and hair twists. I wouldn’t recommend using any type of hair products on your doll. Simply using a wire brush works perfectly!

Timeless Play with American Girl

We love how American Girl inspires creative, classic play. Dolls like Maryellen Larkin not only encourage girls to use their imaginations, but also offer opportunities to build friendships and practice care and responsibility. Whether it’s your child’s first doll or a special addition to a growing collection, Maryellen brings timeless charm and meaningful play into everyday moments.

In a world where toys often come and go, it’s refreshing to see something truly lasting. American Girl dolls are more than just toys, they’re keepsakes. I still have my own Truly Me doll from over 18 years ago, and she’s held up beautifully. Her soft cloth body, flexible limbs, and detailed features are just as lovely as when I first got her. Nothing about these dolls feels disposable. They’re made to last through years of play and even be passed down to the next generation.

American Girl also offers a doll hospital service, which I really appreciate. If a doll’s hair becomes damaged or she gets a mark on her face or body, they can refresh and repair her to look as good as new. It’s one more reason these dolls are such a worthwhile investment.

Lasting Memories through Play

The Maryellen Larkin storybook is a little advanced for my daughter right now, but that hasn’t stopped us from enjoying it together. I’ve been reading it aloud to her, and she loves listening to Maryellen’s adventures. Sometimes she even “reads” the book herself, flipping pages and making up her own imaginative versions of the story. I love seeing her create her own little world around the character. Whether we’re reading the book or making up new tales, it’s a great way to encourage her imagination and help her explore life through someone else’s eyes.

One of the things I love about Maryellen Larkin is how her 1950s fashion opens a window into history. Her dress, shoes, and accessories have sparked so many questions from my daughter. She even asked for her own poodle skirt. These dolls do more than inspire play, they introduce girls to the past in a way that’s personal and fun.

We also enjoy reading through some of the classic stories from the American Girl collection. Favorites like Samantha, Felicity, and Kirsten hold just as much charm today as they did years ago. Even though you can no longer buy some of the original dolls, their stories continue to inspire and teach valuable lessons through history.

American Girl truly offers a unique blend of creativity, education, and lasting value. It’s the kind of play that grows with your child, encourages curiosity, and helps them see the beauty in both storytelling and history.

Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!