A live-action movie based on American Girl’s most popular character, Samantha, set at Christmastime. Every little girl will want to share Samantha’s adventures in the bustling New York City of 1904. The film follows young, wealthy Samantha Parkington’s adventures with three poor orphan girls. Shot in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the 86-minute film features lavish period costumes and settings, and was nominated for three awards, winning one.
Samantha’s turn-of-the-last-century life changes the day she meets Nellie O’Malley. Though they come from different worlds, the two soon become the best of friends. Through happiness and sorrow, adventure and danger, they grow close enough to be sisters. But nothing could prepare them for the life-altering surprises and lessons that await them this special holiday season.
Starring AnnaSophia Robb, Jordan Bridges, Rebecca Mader, Kelsey Lewis, Kate Trotter.
Parents need to know that the movie explores some sensitive storylines, such as socioeconomic differences and how children cope with the death of parents — the main character is an orphan being raised by her grandmother. The DVD does a good, thoughtful job of addressing these issues. – CommonSense Media
There is also [Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front (2006) ](http://amzn.to/1M4RYKC))which takes place around Christmas 1944 and involves her desire to take the lead in the school Christmas show: “The world is at war, and she misses her father who is overseas caring for wounded soldiers. Molly doesn’t like many of the changes the war has brought, like rationing rubber, eating turnips for dinner, and not seeing her Dad on Christmas. But she learns the importance of getting along and pulling together, just as her country must do to win the war.” And [Felicity: An American Girl Adventure (2005)](http://amzn.to/1M4Ta0g) tells the story of a girl growing up in 1775 colonial Virginia and her best friend’s family on opposite sides of the American Revolution. As Christmas draws near, Felicity struggles to hold her family and friends close, and to find ways for love and friendship to rise above the growing conflicts.
And the Edwardian era, family-friendly [Anne of Green Gables](http://amzn.to/1miUB6N) features a Christmas ball (to which Anne wears the famed blue puffy sleeved dress) and plenty of festive snow and a sleigh ride: “Megan Follows, Tony Award winner Colleen Dewhurst and Academy Award nominee Richard Farnsworth give unparalleled performances in the critically acclaimed motion picture based on the internationally best selling novel. Filmed amidst the spectacular scenery of Prince Edward Island, Canada, this Emmy Award winning production follows the provocative life drama of orphan Anne Shirley from her struggles as an adolescent to her triumphs as a young woman. A delicate epic full of wit, style and emotional power.”