The Doll Lady

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is the story of a special lady who knew a secret truth ? you learn how to treat others when you are young. If you are shown love and respect as a child, you will know how to be loving and caring as you grow older. That simple truth is why she spent her life making dolls to give to children. She always told each child to treat their dolls kindly and with great love, because dolls are just like people. Nothing made the Doll Lady happier than to watch a child gently holding one of her dolls or singing a lullaby while rocking it to sleep.

Every doll the Doll Lady made was different, and she made them different for a reason ? because people are different, and all people (just like her dolls) are beautiful in their own way. Each of her dolls had its own personality and disposition and was remarkable in its own right. No two were the same. Some had chubby cheeks, some had freckles, some were yawning, and some were quite delicate. The unmistakable message the Doll Lady was imparting was this: "Take very special care of your dolls, for dolls are just like people. They need to be well loved, held tenderly, and always respected for their uniqueness."

Judy Kuusisto?s illustrations in this book remind me of confections. Their colors are as soft as the dolls they portray, and they visually describe the Doll Lady making her dolls and giving them to children. She has also included a hard page in the back of the book that holds a paper doll and its clothes! What child could resist that? After reading this book my grandchildren had already fallen in love with the story and pictures, but when they saw the paper doll they were transfixed with surprise and their satisfaction was complete.

***** What better message could be sent to a child than one of inherent, deep-seated love and understanding for all people everywhere? Illumination Arts is the publishing company to watch for acclaimed children?s books. I highly recommend The Doll Lady as extraordinary reading. *****

Reviewed by Ruth Wilson