Segment Revenues and Segment Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross sales	$ 1,017,200		$ 1,041,109
Sales adjustments	(88,751)		(89,253)
Net sales	928,449		951,856
Operating income	28,736		36,758
Interest expense	21,105		18,816
Interest (income)	(1,745)		(3,163)
Other non-operating (income) expense, net	(792)		(156)
Income before income taxes	10,168		21,261
American Girl
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross sales	81,623		78,508
Operating income	1,428		2,978
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	104,704		124,659
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	(75,968)	[1]	(87,901)	[1]
North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross sales	451,603		508,769
Operating income	64,005		84,522
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross sales	483,974		453,832
Operating income	$ 39,271		$ 37,159

[1] Corporate and other expenses include (i) share-based compensation expense of $11.9 million and $11.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, (ii) severance expense of $5.1 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, (iii) $7.5 million Gunther-Wahl Productions legal settlement for the three months ended March 31, 2011, and (iv) legal fees associated with MGA litigation matters.