American Girl Doll Tea at Feldheym Library inspires literacy and creativity

While the purpose of the 2026 American Girl Doll Tea was to bring together families from across the San Bernardino for a day centered on literacy, creativity, and friendship, most of the children in attendance will remember the day as when they received their own doll.

Held on April 25 at the Feldheym Central Library, the annual event sponsored by the San Bernardino City Library Foundation welcomed nearly 140 attendees.

“The American Girl Doll Tea continues to be a meaningful way to bring families into our libraries and spark a love of reading and learning,” said San Bernardino Library Director Ed Erjavek. “We’re proud of the partnerships that made this event possible and grateful to everyone who contributed to its success.”

The festivities began with a “Grand Welcome,” where attendees are formally announced as they enter to the sounds of peaceful jazz. Children in attendance then enjoyed a full slate of activities, including a friendship-themed story time, a painting session, hands-on cooking with herbs, an etiquette class, and finally a traditional tea party experience.

Thanks to the generosity of Santa Claus Inc., each child also received their own American Girl doll and accessories to take home, creating a memorable and lasting experience.

This year’s tea also resulted in 53 new library card sign-ups – demonstrating the event’s continued impact in connecting residents with library resources. Many of the new memberships came from families who were visiting the library for the first time and were inspired to join on the spot.

The event drew additional excitement with a special visit from veteran television and film actor Tony Plana. Perhaps best known for his role as Ignacio Suarez on ABC’s Ugly Betty, Plana shared his enthusiasm for the program and its positive impact on the community.

American Girl Dolls are a line of collectible 18-inch dolls that portray 8- to 14-year-old girls of various ethnicities, faiths, nationalities, and social classes during different historical periods. They are sold with accompanying books told from the girls’ viewpoints. Originally the dolls focused on various periods of American History but have been expanded to include characters and stories from contemporary life.

The San Bernardino City Library Foundation helped to organize the event, which reached full capacity through advance reservations coordinated in partnership with the San Bernardino City Unified School District. SBCUSD played a key role in promoting the event to nearby elementary schools, helping ensure strong participation.

The City extends its sincere appreciation to all partners and sponsors, including Santa Claus Inc., Scholastic Inc., the San Bernardino Teachers’ Association, Rhino and Crow Art, UCR Master Gardeners, and the San Bernardino City Unified School District for their support.

The American Girl Doll Tea is held annually and continues to grow as a signature community event that promotes literacy, confidence, and positive social experiences for young residents.

The Feldheym Central Library has a collection of American Girl dolls which are available for checkout by residents with a San Bernardino Library Card.

For more information about library programs and services, visit www.sbpl.org.