shighley's review against another edition
3.0
I read this because an author mentioned it as COVID comfort reading during a panel. The book I got through interlibrary loan was almost like the dolls in the book; somewhat fragile, yellowing pages... but the outside cover seemed indestructible. Purchased by the library in 1998, it had one due date stamped on the back page (but maybe they automated soon after.)
Here I am as an adult reading a children's book but having to remind myself that although it might have seemed there were conversations among the dolls and humans, there were not. I may not look at a doll the same way again, and I will wonder which ones are bullies!
Here I am as an adult reading a children's book but having to remind myself that although it might have seemed there were conversations among the dolls and humans, there were not. I may not look at a doll the same way again, and I will wonder which ones are bullies!
ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
Too tragic for the very young--I read it as an adult and was greatly disturbed (although, come to think of it, often the young take tragedy with great equanimity). She's a wonderful writer, and so far none of her works have disappointed.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
halfcentreader's review against another edition
4.0
I purchased this book on whim at the local AAUW book sale in 2019. I was originally attracted to the cover/title, but then noticed the price sticker which mentioned it was signed. What a bonus! I thought. Then saw that it was signed by the illustrator. I shrugged and bought it anyway for the first reason. I just now got around to reading it and discovered a sweet story about a family of dolls, the two girls who play with them, and the doll's house they inherit. Even the Queen makes a short appearance! There is a haughty doll that has history with the oldest of the doll family that causes some friciton. But truly what makes this book a treasure are the illustrations. After mentioning this book online in a bookclub, many folks commented not only on the author but on the illustrator, whose sketches are detailed but sweet and simple. I loved them and thought they made an excellent embellishment to this edition 20 years after its original publication.
papercrowns's review against another edition
4.0
Charming, with a surprisingly heavy ending. Loved it.
exurbanis's review against another edition
3.0
The activities, sorrows, and joys of a family of dolls living in an old doll house are related from the dolls’ point of view.
It’s rather dated, but charming. Read this if: you ever played with a dollhouse – or wanted to (and who didn’t?) 3 stars
It’s rather dated, but charming. Read this if: you ever played with a dollhouse – or wanted to (and who didn’t?) 3 stars
tanyarobinson's review against another edition
4.0
This is a classic old children's book from the 1940s that thankfully has modern editions. I actually discovered this one for my daughter in early grade school and we read it together. I remember the bratty doll, Marchpane, and how we talked about not wanting to behave that way. It seems that old books were a lot more focused on forming behavior, whereas today's are all about entertainment value.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
4.0
For Tottie and her doll family, life is wonderful, though the family longs for a dollhouse home of their own. When the doll family does receive a dollhouse, it arrives with trouble in the form of the wicked doll Marchpane, and the difficulties begin.
This is a charming story of dolls with delightfully wide range of human-like behaviors, with their children who also exhibit a markedly wide range of behaviors. A charming story.
This is a charming story of dolls with delightfully wide range of human-like behaviors, with their children who also exhibit a markedly wide range of behaviors. A charming story.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
3.0
This is my first experience of reading Rumer Godden and it's a book very much set in its time with one, slightly surprising element which is a scene of death and loss in a book that I would argue is for quite young children. Although the death is that of a doll, this would not detract from the impact as the story itself revolves around the life of a small family of dolls who are owned and loved by two young sisters. This whole moment came as a shock to me and it was better for it.
Although you could argue that a story written shortly after the second world war about a family of dolls who are looked after by two girls is a little dated and twee, there is something powerful going on here with characterisation. Each doll is very much its own character: Mr Plantagenet ( nervous and with poor self esteem having been cared poorly by previous owners), Birdie(a little ditsy yet whose care for the family shows itself to be unparalleled), Apple (a little, adventurous boy who can be fickle at times), Tottie (the main character - small yet strong and caring and Marchpane (incredibly self-centred and vain). And because of this, I would argue that it's a fine story about humanity and what it is that makes us who we are.
Oliver Postgate adaptation
Although you could argue that a story written shortly after the second world war about a family of dolls who are looked after by two girls is a little dated and twee, there is something powerful going on here with characterisation. Each doll is very much its own character: Mr Plantagenet ( nervous and with poor self esteem having been cared poorly by previous owners), Birdie(a little ditsy yet whose care for the family shows itself to be unparalleled), Apple (a little, adventurous boy who can be fickle at times), Tottie (the main character - small yet strong and caring and Marchpane (incredibly self-centred and vain). And because of this, I would argue that it's a fine story about humanity and what it is that makes us who we are.
Oliver Postgate adaptation
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