American Girl’s Samantha grows up as the brand turns 40

American Girl is marking its 40th anniversary in 2026 with new products, special collections, commemorative experiences and store events.

The company began in 1986 with three historical characters: Samantha, Kirsten and Molly. Samantha Parkington was introduced as a girl from the early 1900s, and the first Pleasant Company catalog appeared on Sept. 15 of that year.

The books quickly became a central part of the brand. The first 110,000 copies of the American Girl chapter books sold out within two months.

Now Samantha has a new chapter aimed at adult readers. Fiona Davis wrote “Samantha: The Next Chapter,” a historical-fiction novel that follows Samantha at 25 in 1920 New York City.

In the story, Samantha’s grandmother’s inheritance is stolen. Samantha takes a job as a shopgirl and investigates what happened to the money.

The novel extends Samantha’s story beyond the period represented by her original character. American Girl’s materials identify Samantha as the first company character to be adapted into a movie.

The 40th-anniversary plans place Samantha’s original introduction alongside a new version of her life as an adult, linking the company’s early history with its anniversary-year releases and events.