An American Girl Story—Melody 1963: Love Has to Win on Prime with free printable
This post has been sponsored by KidzVuz on behalf of An American Girl Story—Melody 1963: Love Has to Win on Amazon Studios.
Not too long ago, American Girl came out with their newest doll Melody with stories from the Civil Rights movement era. Amazon has decided to make its first Amazon Original Special, An American Girl Story—Melody 1963: Love Has to Win, about Melody in a 49-minute special.
We were given the opportunity to screen it just before the October 21st launch with the oldest two girls. They were riveted the entire special and didn’t move or have their attention pulled away at all.
About the special
Melody’s story is based in 1963 Detroit during the civil rights movement and centers around 10-year-old Melody (who is the same age as our oldest daughter…talk about timely). I didn’t know what to expect from their watching of the special. I will say we don’t really watch the news right now, so although the special is historical, they weren’t really aware of how very timely and how relevant it is for the world today.
My oldest has had some lessons on the civil rights movement and history, but was shocked to see how it applied to a 10-year-old little girl. To see her accused of stealing because she touched a dress in a store really opened her eyes.
My 8 year old said “you should never judge somebody by their outside, but their insides. We are all the same.” I explained to her that, yes, while we are all the same on the inside, since we look different on the outside, some people treat others differently. She was saddened and mentioned that her first friends at school were black.
I asked them how they would react if they saw a friend treated the way Melody was at school and they both said they would immediately get with their friend and tell their teacher. I also asked if they’ve ever witnessed anything like it, and they said they haven’t. I know the time is coming where they will and I want to prepare them the best I can to be an advocate.
This special carries some heaviness and a lot is packed into the less than an hour show. Melody’s eyes are opened to the racial inequality around her. She questions why people peacefully protesting are being attacked and imprisoned. She wonders why innocent children had to die in the 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing.
Melody even challenges the “indivisible” promise of our country’s Pledge of Allegiance. Her parents are having a difficult time processing and explaining it all as well. Her mother is treated poorly at work and Melody questions it.
Throughout the show, Melody’s mother is trying to remind her that love brings out the best in everyone and fear brings out the worst. But, she also instills in her that it’s important to “stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard or scary.”
As soon as I heard her mom say “Love brings out the best” I knew I wanted my girls to be reminded of it daily. I designed a little sign to hang up so they could see it and be it not only with each other, but with their friends at school, too. And, even people that aren’t their friends. They need to show and demonstrate love.
Watch it
The messages throughout aren’t always easy to watch, but it needs to be watched and told and retold. Definitely plan on watching on An American Girl Story — Melody 1963: Love Has to Win on October 21st on Amazon Prime.
Free printable
You can click on the image, or grab the printable and save it to your computer and print it out at home. I’ve made the pdf 8×10, but you can use your printer to adjust smaller if you’d like.
From Amazon
“The American Girl Melody special is an empowering and inspiring story that will quickly become a favorite for young girls, while bringing families together to help start a healthy dialogue,” said Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios.
The Amazon Original Special is based on American Girl’s Melody character and inspirational stories. In addition to the special debuting exclusively on Prime Video, Amazon and American Girl have collaborated to create a destination for fans of Melody’s stories to find a wide selection of American Girl Melody products. Go to www.amazon.com/americangirl to shop an 18-inch Melody doll, historically accurate 1960s doll outfits, a Motown- inspired recording studio that plays and records music, and more. “We are always looking for new ways to bring our great content to life both on and off the screen,” said Eva Lorenz, Category Leader for Toys. “From toys to books to crafts, Melody’s biggest fans can now discover and shop a wide selection of items available with free Two Day Shipping for Prime members.”
I hope everyone takes the time to watch this movie.
WOW! I just watched the trailer and nearly cried, it’s so good. I’m so happy that American Girl has not shied away from this topic.
AG has always been great abour connecting things that matter and relating them to kids. I am old enough I remember integration in the schools . At the time I lived in Iowa, and it was all very smooth since most of us lived in neighborhoods where we were exposed to all kinds of kids. Later in 2nd grade I lived in Virginia, and things were so different and ugly. We eventually moved back to Iowa.
If kids have questions oftentimes they can ask grandparents if they were old enough to have experienced it.
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