American Girl, a US-based doll maker, on Thursday unveiled its 2023 ‘Girl of the Year’, Kavi Sharma. Kavi, short for Kavika, is the brand’s first-ever South Asian main character and joins the long line of contemporary characters, introduced more than 20 years ago in 2001, that represent a wide range of backgrounds to reflect what it means to be an American girl today.
According to the American Girl, Kavi loves performing such as singing show tunes or learning new dance moves. She grew up in a close-knit Indian American family in New Jersey. “While Kavi shines onstage, keeping up with her offstage priorities like schoolwork, friendships, and family responsibilities can be a challenge—just like it is for so many kids today. Through Kavi, young readers will learn the importance of finding a healthy rhythm in life and feel inspired to pursue their own unique talents and reach for their dreams,” the press release noted.
Kavi’s songwriting accessories set (Source: American Girl)
Kavi’s story was charted out with the help of Varsha Bajaj, a New York Times bestselling author. The story is shared in both an illustrated paperback journal that comes with the doll and a hardcover novel. “Kavi’s story is important to all the young readers who will see parts of their lives represented. I took immense delight in showcasing slivers of Indian culture, including dance, yoga traditions, food, clothing, and magical festivals like Diwali and Holi,” Bajaj said in a statement.
