Pleasant Company Publications
Pleasant Company Publications published the American Girl books for Pleasant T. Rowland's Wisconsin doll company, founded in 1986 and sold to Mattel in 1998.
- Editions tracked
- 16
- First editions
- 16
- Books
- 16
- Years
- 1988 to 2005
Pleasant Company Publications is a publisher active from 1988. We track 16 editions it published between 1988 and 2005, 16 of them first editions across 16 books. Each book lists its first edition and the points that identify it.
About Pleasant Company Publications
Pleasant Company Publications was the book publishing arm of Pleasant Company, the Wisconsin firm founded by Pleasant T. Rowland in 1986 that created the American Girl dolls and books, and which Mattel agreed to buy in 1998.
Rowland started the company in Madison, Wisconsin, later moving to Middleton, after a visit to Colonial Williamsburg inspired The American Girls Collection: 18-inch historical dolls each paired with books set in the character's era. The first three characters were Kirsten Larson, Samantha Parkington and Molly McIntire, and each historical character had a six-book series told from her point of view, written for readers of about eight and up. Products were first sold only by mail or telephone through the company's catalogue.
The list later took in non-fiction advice and activity books for girls, of which The Care and Keeping of You became the best-selling non-fiction title. The company also published the bimonthly American Girl magazine, first issued in late 1992.
Mattel announced in June 1998 that it would buy Pleasant Company for about $700 million, and Rowland became Mattel's vice-chairman and joined its board. The dolls and books continue under the American Girl brand, which Mattel owns.
We have not yet written the guide to Pleasant Company Publications's first-edition conventions. Until we do, check each book's own page: we list its points where we know them. Know how Pleasant Company Publications marked its firsts? Tell us.
Published by Pleasant Company Publications
Frequently asked questions
How many Pleasant Company Publications books does MyVolumes track?
We track 16 editions published by Pleasant Company Publications, 16 of them first editions, across 16 books.
Where these facts come from
- American Girl, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Our Story, American Girl (americangirl.com)
- Mattel Agrees To Acquire Pleasant Company, Writers Write, 1998 (writerswrite.com)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 21 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.