This was one of the best books of my childhood. I identified in some ways with Nona. It's beautifully written and I read and re-read it. As an adult it led me to search out some of Rumer Godden's books written for adults, like The River and Black Narcissus - they did not disappoint.

What a beautiful little book. I’ve read Little Plum about 100 times and never realized it was a sequel.
The plot is cute and simple. Eight year old Nona comes to live with her family the Fells from India (a lot of my favorite children’s books start with a little girl who lives in India and then has to come to England, now that I think about it), and she’s miserable and lonely. It doesn’t help that her 7 year old cousin Belinda is a little brat and makes fun of her constantly. (Little Plum focuses on Belinda, but since it takes place a year later, she’s less of a little shithead and her and Nona are friends by then.) Anyway, her aunt Lucy sends her these little Japanese dolls, Misses Happiness and Flower, respectively, and Nona’s just all about them. She gets a bunch of books from mean old Mr. Twilfit, the bookshop owner (spoiler: he’s not really mean! He just doesn’t like little kids who touch his books without washing their hands first!) about Japanese culture, and her whole family helps her make a little Japanese dollhouse for them, with cushions and quilts and even a little garden. Of course Belinda has to be a little shit and steals one of the dolls, but then she’s wracked with guilt (goddamn right; you doll-stealing little brat; dolls have feelings you know!) and puts it back.
There’s even a section in the back with notes about Japanese culture and plans to build your own Japanese dollhouse. I can’t get over how freaking adorable this book is. All the stars.

My youngest daughter read this on her own in one afternoon. Immediately she wanted to share it, so it became our family read aloud.

I was baffled how the parents were oblivious to the treatment their youngest daughter Belinda doled out to their niece Nona, but thrilled to see how Nona finally made a friend. It was both difficult to get into and interesting. As my daughter said, her favorite part was that parts of the story are told from the dolls’ perspective. I completely agree. Those were my favorite too.

After finishing the last page of the story, I saw detailed plans and supply lists for the reader to construct and furnish a doll house just as Nona and the others had included at the back of the book. So cool!

A sweet story that I remembered reading as a child - maybe 8 years old. The writing is not as brilliant as some of Miss Godden's other pieces but the characters are painted in such a way that the story stayed with me for nearly 45 years.

A beautiful story of a child brought from India to England to stay with her aunt and uncle and three cousins who initially finds nothing good about this new world she has come to and is scared of even leaving the house. The arrival of two Japanese dolls from a great-aunt in America is the start of a transformation in her attitude to life and leads eventually even to a reconciliation with the youngest of her cousins who has been jealous of her ever since she arrived.

Beautiful

Miss Happiness and Miss Flower are Japanese dolls. For Christmas they are sent to England as a present to Nona and Belinda, but Belinda doesn't want her doll. Nona takes both and begins to make plans for a house for the dolls.

This is a cute book and nice story. Although short, there is a lot of detail to this little book, especially when it comes to the house that was built for the dolls. At the end, there is directions to how it was built.
I think it is a story of finding somewhere to belong, even if you are in a completely new place and overcoming differences between each other so you may get along. It's a nice book that I think children and even adults would enjoy.

If you have read "The Doll's House" by the same author (Rumer Godden), you will have an idea about what to expect in this short chapter book about two Japanese dolls and the children who care for them.

I would start your child on "The Doll's House" (which is a bit better) and then follow it with "Miss Happiness and Miss Flower" if your child shows continued interest. Note, however, that the plots are completely separate (they are stand-alone books, not a series).

Recommended for ages 9-12.

*** This book could easily be moved to 4 stars if it were published with a strong illustrator on-board. (The story is well-suited for illustrations, but the book has none).

CONTENT GUIDE FOR PARENTS:
- Children call each other stupid on 4-5 occasions. p8, 10, 13, 21
- One child calls another child a "crybaby." p13
- An older brother calls his sister a "little rotter." p93
- A younger sister sticks her tongue out at an older brother. p93
- No sexuality. No violence.

Reviewing two of Godden's adult novels made me re-read this most beloved book from my childhood. Nine-year-old Nona is living with her aunt, uncle and cousins, and she is a lonely, shy misfit in their lively family - until two little Japanese dolls arrive in the mail. The dolls long for their own Japanese dollhouse, and only Nona has the heart and intuition to make their dream a reality.

Yeah, I was that girl. (Except not as cool as Nona) My own homemade dollhouse (made of orange crates, with hand-towel carpeting and gift-wrap wallpaper) was the best toy I ever owned. Nobody gets the internal life of dolls quite as intensely as Rumer Godden, bless her.

Charming book! It felt absolutely perfect. I don't know how to explain it, but the plot was just right. It has long passages describing the making of a Japanese doll house which could be tedious if it is not your cup of tea. I am a crafter though, so I just ate up those passages.

This is a charming children's chapter book originally published in 1960. Only 15 years after the end of WWII and taking place in England, I am pleasantly surprised to see Japanese culture treated with such respectful detail. The book is well written and peaceful to read. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Can't wait to read Little Plum which was recommended to me by another parent at the library's parent/child book club. So glad I found this one, too!

It's not a milk-toast of a book, however. Strife happens, and my favorite line so far is this,
"'We would rather not play with you,' said Anne.
'Because you're a little rotter,' said Tom." page 66.
Love it.

A rotter is a cruel, stingy, or unkind person.

A perfectly delightful story that was just the mental break I needed as I prepare for my wedding (and continue to adjust to living far from where I grew up). Simple and enchanting, this is the tale of how little Nona Fell started feeling at home in England as she helped two Japanese dolls do the same by making them a proper Japanese dolls' house. I enjoyed all the small details about Japanese culture that Nona learned and, of course, the details of how their house was built and furnished. I'm still an enthusiast for dollhouse miniatures and the ingenious ways we can make them, and this story provides a lot of satisfaction on that front. I just wish the version I read had pictures!

The characters and story arc were appealing and straightforward and held my interest all the way through even though it's geared for children. I'd have loved this story as a young girl!