One of Rumer Godden's midcentury kids' stories about dolls. In this case, there is a little orphan girl named Ivy, and a little doll dressed for Christmas (Holly). Ivy is meant to be spending Christmas at the Infants' home because everyone else at the orphanage has been farmed out for the holiday, but instead she decides she is going to her non-existent grandmother's house is Aylesbury. Ivy wants a Christmas doll. Holly has just been put out for sale in the toyshop on Christmas eve, and she wants a Christmas girl. Mrs. Jones, the policeman's childless wife, is wondering about maybe Christmas being different this year. Despite the nasty negging of the stuffed owl Abracadabra, and with the assistance of the toyshop boy Peter, and a whole bunch of coincidences... a Christmas miracle happens.
The best part of this book is the description of the various toys, including the small stuffed velvet hippos, Mallow and Wallow, and the comfortably saggy elephant Crumple.

The Story of Holly and Ivy written in 1958 by Rumer Godden is a classic children’s Christmas story about the value of wishing. The story along with it’s lovely illustrations by Barbara Cooney gives one a warm glow as you read about the runaway orphan Ivy, who is wishing for a home and also for a doll to love, Policeman Jones and his wife, Mrs. Jones wish for a child to complete their family, while meanwhile Holly, the lovely Christmas doll on display in the toy shop wishes for a little girl to love.

With a little Christmas magic, wishes can come true. ( )

Colorful descriptions add to this sweet story of a little girl and doll both hoping for a home on Christmas and the wife of a policeman who wants something more for her holiday this year. ( )

Charming classic told from the perspective of a determined orphan and a similarly determined doll, each eager to find a home on Christmas. ( )

A bit long for a read aloud so the child has to be a bit older to stay engaged. ( )