The Wooden Doll - Hardcover

Bonners, Susan

3.7

10 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688082807 ISBN 13: 9780688082802

Publisher: Lothrop Lee & Shepard, 1991

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

Visiting her grandparents' house, Stephanie learns the origin of Grandpa's beautiful wooden doll.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Grandpa's wooden doll high on top of the china cabinet fascinates Stephanie, who is visiting her Polish immigrant grandparents. While Grandma is napping, she lifts it down and discovers that it is a nesting doll--with her name on the bottom. She thinks it must be for her, but learns that it belonged to her great-grandmother, who gave it to her grandfather when he left Poland. He gives Stephanie the doll, and Grandma suggests that they keep it for her. Much more than a story of wanting and getting a doll, this is more about bridging the gap between generations and cultures. Stephanie's grandparents, especially Grandpa, are somewhat stern and distant. Through hearing about his childhood, she begins to understand him as a person, not just as her grandfather. Bonners's soft warm-toned illustrations lovingly portray the work-worn but sturdy grandfather and gray-haired grandmother; they might almost be treasured old photographs. The skirted sink and doily-covered chairs suggest a '50s setting. This is not a high-excitement story, but it is rich in genuine emotion that offers much to discuss and ponder. A good choice for pairing with other unusual grandparent stories such as Eve Bunting's The Wednesday Surprise (Clarion, 1989). --Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

Young Stephanie is called Stefcha by her Polish Grandma and Stephania by Grandpa. But when she goes to spend a few days alone with them for the first time, she wonders who she really is to them and where she fits in their lives. Grandma is kind, but taciturn Grandpa remains a mystery. Stephanie wants to take a closer look at the unusual, handpainted doll atop the cabinet in the dining room, but Grandma tells her to ask for Grandpa's permission. One day she takes it down and discovers the large family nesting inside, one within the other. She sees something else there, too; Grandpa breaks his silence and his explanation touchingly expresses his love for his granddaughter. Bonners's cozy illustrations perfectly capture the spic-and-span house of several decades ago, with its gleaming white appliances and antimacassars on the rose-colored living-room furniture. This sensitive story may be overlong for some readers; while its naturalistic style flows smoothly, the length seems to belie the picture-book format. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.