A cute story about wishing. Fun to see how everything was tied together in the end. Good discussion about how God works that way in our lives..krb 12/7/16

2016
rating: 4

This was written in the 1950s and first appeared as a story in the 'Ladies' Home Journal.' It is typical of the stories that were printed in magazines during that era. It's a gentle world with many good people and only a few 'bad' ones, and 'bad' may mean grumpy or stern. In the end, everything turns out perfectly. At Christmas, it's nice to read this kind of a story.

When I spotted this book, I wasn't looking for holiday books, but I saw Barbara Cooney's name, and I generally like anything she does. The art was copyrighted in her name in 1985. I checked Wikipedia to find out if she were still living. Nope. She passed away in 2000 at the age of 82. She was a contemporary of Tasha Tudor.

My copy of this book was signed by Cooney in 1994.

2021
rating: 3.6
I still haven't read this with a child, and I suspect that a young girl would enjoy/appreciate this much more than I do -- it's too coincidental and predictable.

This was a lovely short read about a doll needing a girl and a girl needing a home. A christmassy magical book about hopes and wishes. Lovely illustrations. We think the owl in the toyshop must have been inspiration for hoot from old bear.

I am giving this book 5 stars based on the memory of how much my children loved the story. We watched it on tv, never realizing there was an actual book. Would have loved to have had the book back then but the story and the pictures were followed very well in the show.

Another lovely piece of children's literature.

It is a lovey story for the season of Christmas. No regrets that I have read it out of season. It is a small gem that can be brushed quickly every Christmas season.

It is about an orphan girl who longs for a small toy to chase away the emptiness that occasionally wells up within her and searches for a family that will take her during the lovely season of Christmas. By now you would have guessed the story and the possible ending. There is no prize for guessing that. But the presentation is just lovely. It is a story for children between 5 and 8. From that perspective it is a superbly written story. It will make for a lovely bed time reading to small girls in the season of Christmas.

The message of the book: Always wish for something good and wish for it with whole heart. t will certainly come to pass. It might look far fetched and unrealistic. But the story will certainly succeed to instill positive attitudes in a person from his/her childhood. That, I think, is a great achievement by Rumer Godden.

A beautiful story about wishing ... which is really childlike-prayer, or the prayer of the innocent. Holly, a little doll, looking for a girl to love her and Ivy, an orphan girl looking for a home (and a doll of course too!) are inevitably brought together in this charming and timeless Christmas tale for all ages.

This rating is for the edition illustrated by Barbara Cooney.

The illustrations are the best part of this book. I really like Barbara Cooney’s artwork.
However, the storyline just wasn’t what I thought it would be. For one, the story is much longer than you would think for a book that looks like a children’s picture book. Two, the story itself is a bit odd. It’s all about the dolls and toys wishing, and a little orphaned girl who ran way wishing and because of their wishing things happen. There was an element of the story that was sweet, but overall it just isn’t one I’d really be interested in reading again.

I love this story. Beautiful Christmas tale of love, magic, and the power of hope. Add talking dolls, a snowstorm, and stunningly gorgeous illustrations, and you know you've got something special.

This is a charming little Christmas story about a six-year-old orphan named Ivy who is searching for her (nonexistent) grandmother, a beautiful little Christmas doll named Holly looking for a child to love her, and a sad wife of a policeman yearning for that missing something to complete her life. Rich in atmosphere and the warmth of the heart, this sweet short will reveal the power of wishes and fill you with the true spirit of Christmas. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.

Nice addition to my collection of Christmas stories for children.

2021: Reread again!

2020: Reread with the kids and enjoyed revisiting the story.

A very sweet Christmas story about a girl who needed a family, a doll who needed a girl, and a woman who ached to love a child. A Christmas miracle in the end!