Dolls in Literature: The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright

Another childhood favorite dolly read of mine is this book by Dare Wright.  There are other books in this series.  One thing that was so unique and captivating to a child in the 1970s was that the illustrations are photographs.  That was not very typical in picture books in that era, from what I remember anyway.  Edith, the main character dolly, has some bear friends and engages in various adventures with them throughout the series.  According to Wikipedia, this book was out of print for quite a while before being reissued by Houghton Mifflin in 1998 and by Barnes and Noble for the Nook e-reader in 2012.  I don't actually remember a whole lot about the plot.  I may have to hunt a copy of this down or get it on my Nook.  Did any of you read this when you were little?

Dolls in Literature: Hitty: Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field

This is another book I loved as a child.  It describes the life of a little wooden doll over the course of one hundred years.  The doll changes owners several times and travels the globe.  This is one that I would enjoy reading again as an adult.  Not only is it great to have a doll as the main character, this book contains a lot of historical information that is really interesting.  Definitely a must read for all doll lovers.

I did a bit more online searching and found a site dedicated to Hitty Preble.  The Great Cranberry Island Historical Society in Maine has created a wonderful website with LOTS of information about this book.  CLICK HERE to check it out.  You can even purchase your own flat Hitty doll that has slept overnight in the Preble house.  (The Prebles were the first family Hitty lived with in the story.)  HERE is a link for you to explore.  Good stuff!

Dolls in Literature: Katy Comes Next by Laura Bannon

I LOVED this book as a child.  Unfortunately, it is out of print and quite pricey on Amazon.  I would love to own a copy of it, but if I have to save money to buy this book or a Blythe doll, I know where my money's going.  Anyway.........in this story, Ruth's parents own a doll shop which always keeps them too busy to repair Ruth's doll, Katy.   When asking for new eyes or a new wig for her doll, Ruth is told, "Katy comes next."  Unfortunately, "next" never seems to happen.  Then one morning, Ruth wakes up to find that her parents have closed the doll shop for the day.  Instead, they have declared it "Katy Comes Next" day.   On this special day, Ruth's parents spend the whole day fixing Katy and getting her a new wardrobe.  Can I just say how much I loved this book as a little girl?  I checked it out from the library MANY, MANY times.  Do any of you remember reading this as a child?  If so, did you love it as much as I did?  The one weird thing I remember, though, is that Katy looked completely different after they were done with her.  She got a new wig, new eyes, etc., and was truly a different doll at the end.  I remember that bothering me on some level.  Still, my overriding memory after reading it decades ago is of complete enchantment.  I think Ruth even got to pick out a really cool doll trunk for Katy and fill it with lots of beautiful new clothes, shoes and accessories.  How fun!!