Short and sweet story. My daughter reading at a second grade level had no problems with the text. There are several illustrations throughout the story. Very sweet story. Looking forward to reading the second book.

Ivy loves being Anne's favorite doll, but Anne grows up and puts Ivy in a box in the attic. Years later, Anne is working as a children's librarian, and she adds Ivy to a collection of toys and stuffed animals that can be checked out - but Ivy doesn't want to be borrowed. "Borrowing did sound better than being forgotten. It didn't sound as good as belonging to your own child, though. Maybe these toys had never been loved like that? Once you've truly belonged, nothing else comes close." However, Ivy's first "borrowing" changes her mind - and it changes the (step)family's dynamics, as well. This is a lovely addition to the early chapter book canon, thematically reminiscent of Emily Jenkins' Toys Go Out, but more accessible to the emerging reader.

See also: Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins ( )

Ivy Lost and Found is an adorable book that I suspect I would have both loved and hated as a child. Ivy, our doll heroine, is given to a little girl, Annie, and the two become fast friends. Ivy loves Annie fiercely and the two go everywhere together... until they don't. Annie grows up and little by little she leaves Ivy behind. Ivy is eventually packed away and forgotten. Annie finds Ivy years later and decides to bring her to work at the library to be part of the book buddies program where kids can check out stuffed animals/dolls for two weeks. Ivy wants no part of this initially, as she wants to go back to being Annie's only. She finds herself reluctantly taken home by Fern, as neither is really too sure of this plan, but figure it's only for two weeks.

The rest of the book details the happenings while Ivy is on her first Book Buddy adventure and it's a sweet story. Earlier I said kid!me would've loved and hated it, and the loved part is obvious. Dolls have emotions and love you back! Yes! Hate is also kind of obvious because who wants to think of growing up and leaving your friends behind, breaking their hearts in the process? But I do think this book will help kids not feel too bad about maybe giving their toys a new life with someone else should the time come. And that is an invaluable lesson.

I was sent an ARC of this book but you can bet I'll be buying a copy for the goddaughter. ( )

I started reading this aloud to my 8yo daughter and pretty soon my kids (ages 4, 10, and even the 13yo) were listening to the adventures of Ivy the doll. The kids liked the message that even though being forgotten is hard and sad, it means that you can be found again. I think that translates well to the message that sad and hard things are a part of life but good things can come after. The kids also liked the different toy characters. There was a tiny bit of peril but not enough to make my kids want to stop reading (they don't like tense situations in books and movies)- the 4 yo only got worried and hid his head once. So it's a good gentle read for sensitive kids. The kids also really enjoyed the detailed black and white drawings on almost every page. They are eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

"I liked it because it was really fun and cool. I loved it because she learned a lesson that when you are toy, you don't always have to only have one friend. And if somebody forgets you, it's ok, you can be found again." (8 yo reader)

I received this book from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review. ( )