Maplelea’s 2024 Fall Release

Hello again! So this year’s Maplelea release post is not the several posts of last year, but it’s still very cool! I’m definitely a bit (A LOT) late in getting this up, but it’s November (it’s very almost December by now – okay, nope, it’s actually December and it is heavily exam season by now because I have taken ages to write this post), final assignments are due, exam season is just around the corner, and oh, look, so is Christmas! But anyway, here we go. As always, all pictures are Maplelea’s, all comments and opinions are mine.

First up are the Maplelea Girls, starting with Saila.

She got three things this year, including this Bear Hug Sweaterdress (yes, Maplelea says it’s  all one word; Google disagrees). Boots are not part of it, tights are. I think it’s very cute and fits her style! Not something I would consider getting, because it doesn’t jump out at me, but still, very nice.

This is the Arctic Hat and Mittens set, which is a lot like her former Pang hat, which is not being made right now. (It was crocheted by Indigenous people near Pangnirtung, I think? And they are too busy to do that right now, I believe.)

And finally, she gets these Polar Bear Slippers, except her pajamas already come with slippers, so I’m not quite sure what she’s wearing them with. Clearly Maplelea doesn’t either, because they don’t actually show Saila in any of the pictures of the slippers.

Next up is Léonie, with two new things. She gets these Heartstring Shoes (I very much enjoy the pun there!) . . .

And this Pond Hockey Set: 

Her full hockey gear set has been retired, it seems, and so now she gets this, which includes the puck, two sticks, the jerseys – and I think that’s it? I could be wrong, but yes.

Charlsea too gets two new items. First up are the Bee Buzz shoes, which come with two sets of laces. I think these are adorable! Not something I would get, but I’m glad it exists.

And then this – this is Veggie Vogue!! FlamyFox really likes this one, and I definitely get why. Vegetables are wonderful and to have a whole dress covered in them – yes please!

Alexi got this Weekend Away set. Shoes not included, suitcase is. I do think that suitcase is a little small, but it’s interesting to see Maplelea including something like that with an outfit. It’s quite a nice romper/jumpsuit/whatever you call those, but I think it’d be better if it actually came with shoes.

This is Taryn’s Butterfly Garden dress. I think it’s cool, but very monochrome, and of course, it doesn’t come with shoes! Nothing does anymore, it seems. But hey, it does come with undies, so at least your doll’s tush will be covered!

That’s all for . . . no, wait, I missed something! Oh, never mind. Jenna’s Sea Turtle Expedition Set that they’ve been telling us about since last year’s catalogue is still not fully up on the website. I’ll tell you about that when we get all the details.

And because I took so long writing this, we do now have the details!

This is the whole thing! It’s $90 Canadian, doll not included, but everything else is. I think that’s an absolutely adorable outfit! The little jacket, and those zippered pockets on the pants, oh, I just love it!

Brianne did not get anything new this year, which is surprising, because she usually gets a fair bit.

Okay, now moving on to Maplelea&ME! dolls.

The starter outfit has changed a bit, the pants are now purple instead of being grey jeggings, but it is otherwise the same. There are currently 13 of these dolls available, four of which are new this year.

 

First is KMF47, who reminds me of one of American Girl’s doll. I don’t know the number, but perhaps you all know who I’m talking about. I think this doll is pretty cute.

This here is KMF51, and if you’re thinking that she looks like Toria, you’re right. She is actually Toria (KMF31)’s replacement and has a darker skin tone, but is otherwise the same. I do not understand why Maplelea can apparently only have one Black doll available at a time. (Actually, they did have two before they redid the Maplelea Friends line, but still)

Okay, so I’m still griping about Maplelea and diversity here, because this doll was one of the original 12 Maplelea Friends, but they didn’t add her to the Maplelea&ME! line until, oh, this year . . . She was available in her old starter outfit for a number of years, but yeah, this is a long time coming.

Rounding out the new dolls is this boy, who I could’ve sworn existed before. Give me a sec and I’ll check my master document of every Maplelea product and when it was available (I’m not joking; it’s a personal project of mine).

Okay, yes, almost. We had KMF39, who had SANDY-blonde hair along with the blue eyes. I feel like this is probably the same, but I don’t know. Okay, nope, I’m going to consult my folder of pictures too.

Ah, he does look a little different, but that could just be lighting or posing. Anyway, moving on.

These are the Slippery Slope PJs, paired with Saila’s Polar Bear Slippers and shown on Taryn (this I do not understand). Cute, but they come out with new winter pajamas every year and I think there have been better ones.

 

We’re just looking at the t-shirt and shorts here. It’s called In My Canadian Era, and I’m guessing it’s Taylor Swift-related, but I’m not really a fan of her music, so I find this kinda boring.

These are the Buckskin Boots . . . and I’m not sure that Maplelea did their research on this one. It feels pretty culturally appropriative to me, especially considering last year’s regalia designed by an Indigenous woman . . .

These shoes are called Sail Away, and as a sailor and someone who quite likes this colour scheme, I want these. It’s not likely to happen, but they’re super cute.

This is the Maple Cabin Forest Set, and shown below is the Maple Cabin Wilderness Set. They’ve had “Maple Cabin” sets before and these aren’t very different, so I don’t have much to say.

Last up is the My Dear Reindeer outfit and the below Reindeer Headband. Outfit includes the ornament, sweater and leggings and looks very soft and warm!

Okay, that’s pretty much all I have to say. My favourites this year are Jenna’s Sea Turtle Expedition Set and the Sail Away shoes, but it’s all pretty cute. What’s your favourite?

See you when exams are done!

-ForestPoodle88