American Girl, a keystone of Mattel’s (NASDAQ:MAT) portfolio, today announces Kavi Sharma, its 2023 Girl-of-the Year. Kavi joins a long line of modern characters introduced over 20 years ago. They represent a broad range of backgrounds and reflect what it is like to be an American girl. Kavi enjoys performing, whether it’s singing or learning new dance moves.
She’s also only a short train ride away from Broadway and New York City, where she grew up with her close-knit Indian American American family. Kavi is a star on stage, but it can be difficult to keep up with her other priorities, such as schoolwork, friendships and family responsibilities. This is just like it is for many children today. Kavi will inspire young readers to find a healthy rhythm, discover their unique talents, and go after their dreams.
Jamie Cygielman is General Manager of American Girl. “As we welcome in the new year, Kavi Sharma will be at the center of our Girl of Year lineup,” says Jamie Cygielman. Kavi’s stories are as inspiring and relevant as all of our characters.
American Girl collaborated with Varsha Bajaj, a New York Times bestselling author (Thirst and Count Me In) to create Kavi’s story. Kavi’s story can be found in an illustrated journal with her doll and a hardcover novel called It’s Showtime Kavi. This book will debut in 2023. Bajaj says that Kavi’s story is important for all young readers, who will be able to see a part of their lives. Bajaj was a great help in showing slivers Indian culture (including dance, yoga traditions and food) to young readers. A team of advisors also assisted with Kavi’s creation, giving real-world insight and helping to decide on key story and product themes to ensure authenticity.
