History Toys / WellieWishers

A spinoff of the Literature/{{American Girl|sCollection}} line, the [=WellieWishers=] are a line of characters released in 2016. The line--named after wellies (a term for Wellington boots/rubber rain boots that was popularized in the United Kingdom)--focuses on six elementary-aged characters and is designated to cover the gap left between the brand's Bitty Baby line of infant baby dolls and the older aged and targeted American Girls. It can be considered a SpiritualSuccessor to the previous line by American Girl, ''Hopscotch Hill School'', which ran from 2003-2006 and also focused on the four-to-six-year old demographic, but wasn't as successful.

* '''Bryant''': [[TheOneBoy The only boy]] and AmbiguouslyBrown; enjoys dragons, being brave, and assisting others in their activities.

* '''Willa''': Caucasian; animal lover, she's into nature and exploring. Her aunt owns the garden the characters meet at regularly.

* ADayInTheSpotlight: Each book at the start of the franchise tends to focus on one character's specific problem, personality trait, or personality issue, though all the characters are present in each book.
* AdultsAreUseless: Massively averted. While adults are not often seen or assist with the girls' problem, they are on easy call and if things become troublesome, Willa's Aunt Miranda (or other adults) can and will help the girls work through their problems. Furthermore, every book has a "For Parents" section with tips for how adults can guide their child with the theme of the story including games, crafts, and/or addressing the same issues presented in the story.

* AllGirlsLikePonies: Both played straight and averted in ''The Clippity-Cloppity Carnival''. Almost all the girls like the idea of horses--going so far as to play with toy horses they're given and becoming excited about meeting one up close at a carnival to be held soon. Ashlyn, however--having just had a bad experience where a large horse scared her--is frightened of seeing a horse up close again. Because of this she prefers to have her toy pony be very un"horse"like. She becomes so upset from her fear that she eventually refuses to come to the carnival after learning a horse will be there. It takes confessing her fears to Camille to start to feel better and Camille's assistance to help Ashlyn start to face her fear. [[spoiler:At the carnival, Ashlyn is glad to learn that the "horse" is instead a gentle pony.]]

* GirlinessUpgrade: The whole line was given this in 2021. The generally normal styles of kid's clothing that had been practical and realistic--wellies to play in the mud and themed but realistic tops and skirts--was replaced with fantasy wardrobes; each of the girl dolls now comes in a leotard and elastic skirt with play headbands and extras such as fairy wings, unicorn horns, or mermaid tail skirts. The stories now focus on the characters having their conflicts in imaginary settings such as attending princess school, being mermaids underwater, and conflict with a cranky dragon who wants to take over their castle playhouse.

** Bryant only has the outfit he's been released in; no boy outfits have been made for the line.

* OfficialCosplayGear: The company sells accompanying outfits for many of the dolls' clothing, including their stock outfits. Rather than selling five pairs of individually designed wellies, a five-pack of matching socks are available along with clear boots.

* PrincessPhase: The whole line after the 2021 redesign is going through this. The focus and items changed from every day activities and clothing to a more fantasy, magical focus. The girls often pretend to be princesses--not just Ashlyn, who before limited it to her tiara and love of pink--and wear frilly dresses and crowns in their imagination spots. Items in the collection reflect this, with things such as royal desks and accessories, castle themed playhouse, and princess style pajamas and clothing.
* SixthRanger: Bryant, the only boy in the group. He was added in part to appeal to boys that might want a [=WellieWisher=] doll of their own (after boy dolls had been added to the 18" line). However he has no hair decorations or headbands (instead he has a dragon tail accessory with his wings) and currently has no other outfits outside of what he comes with. He's also not been included in any of the Costco releases since his debut (as they have focused heavily on outfits that are overly girly, with rainbow nightgowns and sleep sets and princess dress up).

The line switched from a more realistic focus to a fantasy, imagination style in 2021, with the target age lowered to four. In 2022, the collection added its first boy doll, Bryant, and plush pet characters: a multi-colored dragon named Criselle and Lulu, a Magical Llamacorn, later followed by a pig, Peegin.

* AllGirlsLikePonies: Averted partially in ''The Clippity-Cloppity Carnival''. Initially, all the girls like the idea of horses--going so far as to play with toy horses and be excited about meeting one up close at a carnival. Ashlyn, however--having just had a bad experience--is scared of seeing a horse up close again and prefers to have her toy pony be very un"horse"like. She becomes so upset that she even refuses to come to the carnival upon learning a horse will be part of it. It takes confessing her fears to Camille and her assistance to help Ashlyn start to face her fear, and when the horse arrives, she is glad to learn that it is instead a pony, not a full sized horse.

* FieryRedhead: Averted. Redheaded Willa is one of the more withdrawn characters, has stage fright, and is exceptionally shy.
* FreeRangeChildren: The main characters are given free range of Aunt Miranda's expansive garden and often participate in activities and planning--including construction--all their own in the space provided.
* GirlinessUpgrade: The whole line was given this in 2021. The generally normal styles of kid's clothing that had been practical and realistic--wellies to play in the mud and themed but realistic tops and skirts--was replaced with fantasy wardrobes; each of the girl dolls now comes in a leotard and elastic skirt with play headbands and extras such as fairy wings, unicorn horns, or mermaid tails. The stories now focus on the characters having their conflicts in imaginary settings such as attending princess school, being mermaids underwater, and conflict with a dragon who wants to take over their castle playhouse.