Radio Set (retired)

[4apps]

I wondered if I would like this a much in person as the photos I had seen. I do. It consists of three pieces with the radio being the item I was most interested in seeing. It is a plastic shell made to look like wood and fashioned after radios of times past. I remember my aunt having a large floor model radio like this one and this not so small in scale radio is much like it in looks. I usually do not like plastic unless it's authentic, but I know wood isn't a realistic option here. After inserting 3 AAA batteries , one can turn the left knob and "tune in" pre-recorded shorts from times past while the right knob controls the volume. There is a red light which flashes in the circled dial when the radio plays or when you hit a "station" which is coming in. The dial also has working hands which move when the left knob is turned to tune in a station. Included with the radio, is a 8-9 inch audio cable to hook up to your own device although I am worried the speakers could possible blow if a powerful volume was run through them. I'm hoping the radio's volume knob will prevent this but don't know much of how this works. I like the fabric AG used on the front of faux speaker as it lends even more authenticity to the item. How it will stand up to kids' play is yet to be seen, but it works for me. One other thing I really like is the sound of the static in the recordings. It makes it even more period correct.
Radio:A
Also included is an abridged version of Robin Hood. It's nice the books were brought back and I have no complaints with this one. It's illustrated and a nice addition to the set.
Book:A
The last item is a red pennant. I'm assuming a Red's pennant as Kit is a Red's fan but it just has "Go Team" and two bats, glove and ball pictured on it instead of the Reds' logo. It has four ribbons attached to the wide end and is made of a felt material. Maybe AG couldn't come to a licensing agreement with MLB, but it would have been so much better if it had been a legit team instead of generic. Even a school team would have been better. For this reason, it gets a B.

I'm going to attempt to get some photos taken so I can post them but not sure when that will happen.

[sarahgregarious]

I can't wait to purchase this set! I was really not on board until I saw it in person and now believe it is way better than Molly's radio because you can turn the dial to get other stations and there's static between them, get louder and softer as you 'tune in' the channel - it sounds so authentic!!

Solid 'A' from me!!

Here is a video of us playing with the radio in the AG Boston store! Sorry for the bad quality, it was a loud store.

[sailormolly]

I really, really, REALLY LOVE this set!!! Totally worth the full retail price. I missed out on getting Molly's radio back when it was out. Kit will be sharing hers with Molly and Maryellen.

Kit radio set 1 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

Kit radio set 2 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

There's a defendant difference between the two versions of Kit's Robin Hood book.
Kit radio set 3 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

Kit radio set 4 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

Kit radio set 5 by Elizabeth, on Flickr

Videos of Kit's Radio in action!





SailorMolly

[maggiedoll]

From American Girl.com:

Kit's Radio Set $42.00

In the 1930s, families would gather together around the radio to get the news, follow radio serials, or listen to “Fireside Chats ” from President Roosevelt. This radio has a dial that lights up, a volume control knob, and a tuning knob that moves the tuning needle when turned. Your girl can hear real recorded news from the 1930s, or attach the included 3.5mm audio cable to her own electronic music player to listen to her own favorite songs. This set also includes a mini abridged Robin Hood book given to Kit by her brother, plus a felt baseball pennant.

All that makes American Girl.

The pennant is just a throw away item. Almost like there was a surplus of that thick, stiff and rough craft like felt with some white lettering that can easily rubbed off. Apparently Kit's favorite baseball team asked for too much money. 'Cause I'm sure they are so rolling in Red's merchandise income.

Yeah, books are back! Book nerd happy dance!
I have Kit's night time accessories c. 2006. I can see no difference between these books. In fact, I'm not going to tell you which book is which.

Lovely full color illustrations. Like old school American Girl, Robin Hood is readable.

The radio book is front with all of Kit's books. It is a bit bigger than the average doll book, like a larger picture book for a kid slightly younger than kit.

The center, the focus of all things that make a collector happy, the radio! It is modeled on the Cathedral style radios that would had taken up quite a bit of floor space in Kit's living room. The radio is make of typical American Girl plastic, very light, smooth but very study, like can survive like a drop to the floor or being stuffed in a tight storage space study.

Yeah, it is a side...

The details make the radio very realistic. The dials really move.

The tiny little switch needs a good nail to turn on. A tiny screw driver works best opening.

It is kind of hard to show, but the radio glows a creepy shade of red when on...not sure how realistic that is to the time period. There is a news report, a message form FDR, some music and a I think a radio show. Each snippet is about 30 seconds longs. There is some static in-between channels.

Kit and her radio, common American Girl rant, the radio is too small! It fits well on her trunk but I just it is just right for $42 scale.

Kit could easily drip kick this radio. She and Ruthie seem to think it is the bees knees however.

The pennant is pretty much worthless and the radio is too small, but the book and the radio are an excellent sing of where BeForever can take our dolls. Both are relevant to Kit's books I like the fact that BeForever are linking today with yesterday with MP3 Palayers and Radios. I wish my cord would work with my phone but I love the idea. B+

[JustMagicMaria]

I'm happy with this set, especially since I got it with the 30% coupon (so $29.40 not including tax & shipping).

The radio is very plastic and I won't be using it with my mp3 device, but I like the size. (Smaller than a period radio but a good size for Kit's bedside table.)

The pennant is cute enough and looks good on Kit's wall in her bedroom, but I wish it said Reds.



The book is nice though I already have it. Others have posted comparison photos of the book with the one from the old Bedtime Accessories, but here is one of an inside page.



Overall I would give the set a B+.

[BabaYaga]

Finally found Kit's radio secondhand on ebay at a decent price!

I love its realistic color scheme (I was afraid the colors would be too bright and contemporary-looking), with the mustard-yellow nubby cloth backing just like on the old tube radios my grandparents had back in the day...

The music is nothing like my 1930s playlist, I can only hope that AG did their research on this...

The dial lights up eerily, just like the real ones :-)

Mine did not come with its original connecting wire, so I ordered a generic one off ebay, which cost me all of 77 cents including shipping! :-O
The speaker is quite decent for a toy, I'll have fun listening to my 20s and 30s playlists on it once in awhile!

Overall I think it's a pretty neat thing, and I'm happy to have it.