A very disturbing book, but very true-to-life. It has haunted me for years. I won't let my daughter read it until she is a LOT older. ( )

I love this book. I have always loved this book. I received it for Christmas, the year my sister and I got the chicken pox - we were confined to bed and Mom read it to us. We pretended we were Charlotte and Emily. I then read it for myself - my first chapter book,

As a child, I loved the characters and story. As an adult (and a senior citizen to boot) I love the slightly quirky use of language, as well as the characters and story. ( )

Summary: This fantasy children’s book follows a group of dolls, Tottie, a wooden doll, is the main character and she lives with Mr. Plantaganet, Birdie, Apple, and a little dog named Darner. All of them are made of different materials and are happily living together. Through the story, Tottie wishes for her old dollhouse that the great-aunt had played with. Tottie is an antique and was passed down to Emily and Charlotte. Emily and Charlotte received a “new” doll who Tottie knew many years ago, and she does not like. This doll is named Marchpane and she is a beautiful doll made of China not really meant for children to play with. Marchpane sets to dollhouse on fire using the lights and poor Birdie who is made of celluloid burns to her death. In the end, Marchpane is put away because her original owners think she is too nice to play with.

Personal Reaction: I didn’t particularly enjoy this book, but that is because I never really played with dolls. This book is written very well and most little girls who play with dolls would probably enjoy it. I think there are many lessons throughout the book that children can learn from, one being take care of your belongings and also play nice with others. The characters have distinct personalities that create a well written plot. There are many great events in the book, such as the doll exhibition. Dolls can not pick their owners but like Tottie said in the beginning, if a doll wishes hard enough things can come true.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1) After reading the book, have the children write about a doll, stuffed animal, or other toy they enjoy playing with. The teacher will ask the students to give the toy life and personality. Students will write a complete description of the toy, and what they think that toy is like if it could come to life. Then the teacher will have students draw and color the toy, and then the teacher can have students share with the class about their toy.
2) Another great activity that would coincide with the above activity would be to place students in groups and have them take their toy and create a story together about how their toys could live together and what they might do. ( )

The activities, sorrows, and joys of a family of dolls living in an old doll house are related from the dolls’ point of view.

It’s rather dated, but charming. Read this if: you ever played with a dollhouse – or wanted to (and who didn’t?) 3 stars ( )

Tottie is a loving little wooden doll who lives with her family in a shoebox. The doll family are owned by two sisters, Emily and Charlotte, and are very happy, except for one thing: they long for a proper home. To their delight, their wish comes true when Emily and Charlotte fix up a Victorian dolls' house – just for them. It's perfect. But then a new arrival starts to wreak havoc in the dolls' house. For Marchpane might be a wonderfully beautiful doll, but she is also terribly cruel. And she always gets her own way . . .http://www.panmacmillan.com/titles/displayPage.asp?PageTitle=Individual%20Title&BookID=382510&Category=