After being introduced to Godden through a memoir earlier this year, I was eager to read her fiction. This was a book for children, but it made me want to read more of her writing. She writes easily of family life, even dolls that talk.
"...you will learn that small things are not as serious as they seem, nor large things as large...."

3.5 cute but not my favorite

I began reading this book when I was in the third grade and didn't get to finish it because I had to take it back to the library. Years went by and I couldn't remember the name of the book or who had written it. (I figured it had something to do with a doll house but I kept finding A Doll's House by Ibsen!) When I finally figured it out, I was delighted and bought the book from Amazon. I remember being fascinated by the story of an actual doll "family" that lived in a little house. But it was in reality a rather odd story of some dolls that are terrorized by a strange doll that is brought into their midst and it does not have a happy ending! But it's certainly a unique book and now I know the ending after all this time!

Very much along the lines of "The Velveteen Rabbit", this charming book brings dolls to life through the imagination of the children who love (and tolerate) them. "The Velveteen Rabbit" is one of my all time favorite children's books, and this has just been added to that list. Very sweet and a perfect book for young children who are beginning to read chapter books. Written in 1948, it's still as lovely as it was then.

I've decided to re-read all my old favourite books, and I immediately knew I had to start with Tottie. This book had a profound effect on me as a kid. I've always adored dolls and dollhouses, and Tottie makes them come alive for me even now. (Not entirely recommended if your child is a sensitive soul, though. This book points out what a tragic existence dolls lead when their owners don't take proper care of them.)

Darling, just absolutely darling. And the copy I had from the library was illustrated by the lovely Tasha Tudor. Swoon worthy vignettes.

"The Dolls' House" tells the story of Tottie and her wooden doll family who live in a shoebox and dream of having a real home. Their dream comes true when Emily and Charlotte gift them a Victorian dolls' house, but the arrival of Marchpane, a beautiful yet unkind doll, disrupts their peace.

I had planned to read this in December as a holiday choice, but I couldn't resist starting it sooner! I love how this story really captures childhood, blending happy moments with challenges, the power of wishes, and hopefullness. It beautifully portrays the magic of dolls and dollhouses while conveying valuable lessons about family togetherness and individuality. A quick and sweet read for any age group.

Very reminiscent of Enid Blyton but maybe a little more serious, and a little more mature. I liked it.

This story is about a humble doll who wishes things to her human children. The story teaches humility through learning to treat each other kindly in imaginative play.

As evocative as I remember, although now much more quaint. Utterly charming!

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!

Definitely more than I expected it to be and I enjoyed it. RTC