Rating: 
Summary: Charming and Wonderful
Review: "hitty" is much more than a book; for a child, it is a very unique experience. It is written with skill and class, and Hitty's adventures blended with whimsical illustrations make this a classic of children's literature. One of the more distinguished (and deserving) Newbery Medal books. A compulsively readable, thoroughly delightful book.
Rating:
Summary: Lucky to have read the original
Review: After reading some of the other reviews, I feel myself fortunate to have read Hitty in the original. I was unaware it had been edited. I can't think of anything offensive, other than one passage of dialogue spoken by a black family, which might sound sterotypical to modern ears. But, similar dialogue occurs in Huckleberry Finn. Has that been "scrubbed"? I don't think so.
Anyhow, what a beautiful story. It's really interesting to see the world from her point of view. She spent years hidden away in a couch, among other places, which was like a time machine for her. I had fun answering this question: Did Hitty know that by the time she was sold at auction in the Preble house, that she had outlived Phoebe? That Phoebe had grown up, married, had children and died? She never says so, but I think she does know. She has the strength and maturity not to have to be explict. I really hope Hitty had warm, fond memories of her first owner, Phoebe.
Rating:
Summary: Absorbing, unusual, for ages starting about 7 years to 107
Review: Although I'd never cared about dolls myself, 'Hitty...' was so instantly involving and charming when I read it to my young daughter, we both fell in love with her. We followed her long life, and her sad and her happy times, too. Very satisfying, and we never noticed how much we learned about American life until some years later while reminiscing about our readings together
Rating:
Summary: "Hitty" hits the mark!
Review: Carved of mountain-ash wood which brings luck, and wardsagainst witchcraft and evil spirits, Hitty is indeed a survivor!Her story is a story worth telling and you'll be so glad she decided to write her memoirs. Here is a doll who will spring to life in your mind,as she takes you along with her on her hundred year adventure. You'll hold your breath in anticipation; you'll laugh aloud at her antics. Hitty's amazing wit will keep you turning the pages. You will cheer each time Hitty overcomes an obstacle--and she gets into some sticky situations! This adventure-packed, historical tale is one of my all time favorites and certainly deserved the newbery medal.
Rating: 
Summary: Fiasco
Review: Here in Australia we are exposed to very few American books for children. So today I was delighted to discover Hitty for the first time. I have a three and a half year old daughter whose hunger for books is never ending and who sits each day engrossed for over an hour whilst I read to her - Rachel Field's Hitty is just perfect combining a little girl's love of dolls and their secret lives, real life adventurous little girls, travels around the world and gorgeous illustrations. We had to sit in the cafe outside the bookshop and read six chapters before we could go home! As soon as my child could grab her dad this evening she sat him down and told him the story according to her using the pictures as her reference. I can understand the reluctance and disapproval for this book of people who have known Hitty for years - I am always so disappointed to see things I've always loved being changed (recently I heard of an attempt to take religion out of the Narnia books - I mean really!). But in defence of Rosemary Wells - this is a delightful story in its own right and I don't think it's grace should be diminished because of its history. As for the illustrations - to a 3 and a half year old the illustrations of this lovely book captivate and tantalise her imagination in a way that black and white drawings never would. I will certainly endeavour to find a copy of the original of Hitty for when my little girl is a bit older and look forward to reading it myself. But for now I'm so pleased that Rosemary Wells and Susan Jeffers have introduced our family to Hitty - we feel enriched by this book!
Rating:
Summary: As someone who has never met Hitty before...
Review: Here in Australia we are exposed to very few American books for children. So today I was delighted to discover Hitty for the first time. I have a three and a half year old daughter whose hunger for books is never ending and who sits each day engrossed for over an hour whilst I read to her - Rachel Field's Hitty is just perfect combining a little girl's love of dolls and their secret lives, real life adventurous little girls, travels around the world and gorgeous illustrations. We had to sit in the cafe outside the bookshop and read six chapters before we could go home! As soon as my child could grab her dad this evening she sat him down and told him the story according to her using the pictures as her reference. I can understand the reluctance and disapproval for this book of people who have known Hitty for years - I am always so disappointed to see things I've always loved being changed (recently I heard of an attempt to take religion out of the Narnia books - I mean really!). But in defence of Rosemary Wells - this is a delightful story in its own right and I don't think it's grace should be diminished because of its history. As for the illustrations - to a 3 and a half year old the illustrations of this lovely book captivate and tantalise her imagination in a way that black and white drawings never would. I will certainly endeavour to find a copy of the original of Hitty for when my little girl is a bit older and look forward to reading it myself. But for now I'm so pleased that Rosemary Wells and Susan Jeffers have introduced our family to Hitty - we feel enriched by this book!
Rating:
Summary: Hitty is still loved by many
Review: Hitty Her First Hundred Years was inspired by a real doll. This doll is currently displayed in the Stockbridge Mass. Library Museum. Many readers have wished they could have their own special doll like Hitty. From 1830 til today doll artists have attempted to make their version of this doll. Some of the most famous names in doll making have attempted to capture her spirit. I have a photo of this orinial Hitty doll posted on my wood doll web page:
If you compare the original doll with the illustrations in the book, you must note how well Dorothy Lathrop captured the sweet, Mona Lisa type smile of this doll.
Rating:
Summary: A DOLL'S MEMORY IS FOREVER
Review: Hitty is a very small wooden doll carved out of mountain-ash (for good luck) in Maine by a kindly pedlar, in gratitude for winter hospitality, then given to the young daughter of the New England sea captain. This charming story is told in the first person by a modest and pleasantly-philosophical doll with a perpetual smile. During her first century as a toy she survives an incredible catalog of dangers, countless owners (not all little girls, either) and numerous narrow escapes. Hitty is privileged to travel the world from bombay to New Orleans, although in her heart she years for her native Maine. She also meets many famous personalities of the 19th century: the opera singer Adellina Patti, novelist Charles Dickens, and poet John Greenleaf Whittier. Her fortunes range from being worshipped as a goddess by pagan islanders, to posing as doll of fashion. She endures trials by water, fire, and plain neglect. Poor patient Hitty is lost, stolen, borrowed, displayed, auctioned, abused, and hidden. But she endures her fate with gentle stocisim and ends by writing a journal about her adventures. The only pride she allows herself is for the fact that her name, HITTY, is still visible on the hem of her petticoat, in red cross stitches. We follow each detail of her story and keep hoping: yes, now she will have a good owner, the last one who will care for her properly and give her the love and respect which she deserves. But no one can write the final chapter on an antique--especially who charms by her stature and smile. This is a delightful book with many historical details which will touch the reader.
Rating:
Summary: Hitty
Review: Hitty is a very well written book.It is about a doll and the 1st hundred years of her life.When she lost an owner or something bad happened you felt the saddnes or anger. It was a very good book but I felt it needed a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Unthinkable
Review: I am a thirteen year old reader who is simply outraged. Having not read this book, I suppose that I shouldn't be writing this, but I hope you read it anyway. To rewrite such a marvelous book as Hitty is simply scandalous. There is absolutely no point in destroying a masterpiece. The oringinal book is so rich with character. Why should we need to "update" a book about a doll that was already old-fasioned from the original publishing date?
On principle, I would never read this book.
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