A Girl for All Time
| Type | Doll |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Frances Cain |
| Company | Daughters of History Ltd. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Availability | 2012–present |
| Official website | |
A Girl for All Time is a line of historical vinyl dolls and books, created by Frances Cain,[1] owner of the brand’s holding company Daughters of History Ltd. Cain launched the series in 2012 at the London Toy Fair. The play dolls portray young teenage girls in several periods of English and American history, and come with stories, interactive workbooks, accessories and costumes.
Dolls and accessories
The original line of dolls include Matilda Marchmont, whose story is set in Tudor England, Victorian era doll Amelia Elliot, and Clementine Harper, whose story is set in London in World War II. All three of the doll's stories are connected via a shared family tree. In 2015 a new character doll was added, Sam Liron, the daughter of Clementine Harper. Also included in the line of dolls is the first of the dolls in the series with a story set in America: Lydia Peyton, whose story is set in Boston during the Georgian era. Each are dressed in period costume designed by fashion designer Katya Wildman, Emmy-nominated Caroline Harris, and Shari Fuller, a historical dolls' clothing specialist.[2]
Other accessories include the characters' stuffed pets, tea sets, costumes and hairbrushes.
Books
The company also offers a series of young adult novels featuring the Matilda, Amelia and Clementine dolls, authored by BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Sandra Goldbacher.[3]
- Matilda's Secret, Daughters of History Ltd, 2011, ISBN 978-0956720009. Matilda Marchmont travels from the countryside in Norfolk, England, to the Tudor court where she has been sent as lady-in-waiting to the Queen and where she befriends her own cousin, Katherine Howard, who becomes the fifth wife of Henry VIII but eventually dies at the Tower of London.
- Matilda's Keepsakes & Secrets, Daughters of History Ltd, 2011, is an activity book and scrapbook with Tudor era recipes, trivia, fashions and hair ideas.
- Amelia’s Inheritance, Daughters of History Ltd, 2012, ISBN 978-0956720023. Victorian schoolgirl Amelia Elliot at thirteen finds herself recently orphaned and sent to live with her uncle. There she develops unlikely friendships and travels through London to reclaim her inheritance, a secret trunk left to her from her Tudor ancestor, Matilda.
- Clementine’s Winter, Daughters of History Ltd, 2015, ISBN 978-0956720047. As war breaks out Clementine Harper and her two brothers migrate to the country to escape nightly air raids in London in There, whilst living with an eccentric widow in Devon, Clementine befriends Giesele, a German-Jewish girl escaping the Nazis. Mystery and adventure ensue as the pair join the local Girl Guides and seek to find Giesele’s sister and parents.
Awards and recognition
"A Girl for All Time" dolls have received the following awards
- Dolls Magazine- Winner Playdoll of the Year 2014[4] and 2015[5]
- Primary Teacher- Silver Award 2014
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum 2012,[6] 2013, 2014, 2015
- Dolls Magazine – Award of Excellence 2013
- Toy Talk’s Best Doll 2011, 2012, 2013
- Creative Child – Preferred Choice, Gold Seal 2012
- The School Run – 100 Best Educational Toys 2011
- Creative Choice Magazine (US) – Preferred Choice: Dolls, Seal of Excellence: Books 2011
See also
References
- ↑ "Women Of The Year 2015: Frances Cain, A Girl For All Time". ToyNews.
- ↑ "A Girl For All Time's Clementine makes Doll of the Year shortlist". ToyNews.
- ↑ "A Girl for All Time details latest children's book, Clementine's Winter". ToyNews.
- ↑ "A Girl for All Time awarded Playdoll of the Year 2014 Award". ToyNews.
- ↑ "A Girl for All Time scoops Playdoll of the Year title for second year". ToyNews.
- ↑ "Oppenheim Toy Award winners listed". ToyNews.