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48th out of 264 books
—
170 voters
The Best-Loved Doll
This timeless story of the special relationship between a girl and her doll is told with directness and charm.
Paperback, 64 pages
Published
October 15th 1997
by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
(first published 1962)
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This is one of the many reasons why I adore goodreads. I was perusing a goodreads friend's shelves the other day and I saw this book and a flood of memories hit me like a ton of bricks. I remember reading this book every summer at my grandmother's house. And I remember marveling over all the fascinating little doll characters and their funny (slightly catty) conversations. I might never have recalled this book from the depths of my subconscious if it hadn't been for Lisa's review! I ordered my o...more
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Does anyone else remember this book from when they were growing up? As soon as I saw this one, it brought back memories! I loved the sweet story back then and was so happy to find it for my own daughter. It is a great read aloud and a perfect starting point for conversations about making decisions, feeling comfortable with the consequences of our choices and disregarding the reactions of friends.
The whole story, about a girl and her four dolls, takes place in one afternoon. Betsy needs to choos...more
The whole story, about a girl and her four dolls, takes place in one afternoon. Betsy needs to choos...more
Today. I went searching for this book! I read it a a child (my mother read it 'to' me) Loved the story...loved the Lavender( my favorite color) wash amidst the black and white illustrations.
The clean, crispness of the drawings and softness of the color made such an impression on me that years later,I painted my bedroom lavender and white so to be 'in' those colors!
I really related to the "loving up' of a doll so much, that her nose was a little scuffed, her dress had some buttons missing and s...more
The clean, crispness of the drawings and softness of the color made such an impression on me that years later,I painted my bedroom lavender and white so to be 'in' those colors!
I really related to the "loving up' of a doll so much, that her nose was a little scuffed, her dress had some buttons missing and s...more
1 like · like · see review
This simple and heartwarming book is about a young girl named Betsy who gets invited to a party. She's instructed to take one doll with her, having been told that prizes will be given out to the most spectacular ones. Rather than choosing her oldest, prettiest, or most animated doll, she chooses Jennifer, a shabby doll whose love shows in her tattered dress and broken face. In the end, Betsy and Jennifer win a unique prize for the "best-loved" doll. The story has a gentle lesson about true worth...more
If you have a little girl or girls, you must read this book to them! It's a beautiful story and a message that all girls should learn in this day and age. I remember reading this as a little girl and wanted to share it with my daughter. I found it at the library in another town and borrowed it for the week. I read it to both my daughter and son. I don't think my son appreciated it (he's only 4) but my daughter did. If fact she asked what else I read when I was young and if I can remember so I ca...more
Sep 19, 2012
Dolly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
parents reading with their children
This is a sweet tale about a young girl who is invited to a doll party where she could win a prize. She knows that several of her dolls are good contenders for a prize, but chooses to bring her best-loved doll instead knowing that she won't win. The story speaks to the affection a child has for a particular favorite toy and the desire to be happy more than to win.
The illustrations are primarily black and white, with some pink and purple hues throughout. They help to convey a sense of an older t...more
The illustrations are primarily black and white, with some pink and purple hues throughout. They help to convey a sense of an older t...more
This was my mother's book that she passed down to me, and read to me as a little girl-- one day I will read it to mine, and hopefully she to hers. It's a beautiful story about loving someone for who they are, not what they can do or how beautiful they are ,and the kindness of family and sharing. Like The Ordinary Princess-- all little girls should read about Jennifer, Betsy, and their friends.
"You aren't my oldest doll, Jennifer," said Betsy. "Your dress is a fright. And you can't do a single thing. But I do love you, dear Jennifer."
Such a sweet story. And Mrs. Anderson knows how to throw a killer party. Drop-waist dresses on all the girls? Fantastic prizes? Big and little pink cupcakes for girls and dolls, respectively? Where's my invitation?
Such a sweet story. And Mrs. Anderson knows how to throw a killer party. Drop-waist dresses on all the girls? Fantastic prizes? Big and little pink cupcakes for girls and dolls, respectively? Where's my invitation?
1 like · like · see review
This was perhaps my favorite book as a little girl. I may be prejudiced by the fact that the doll's name is Jenny, but this book is beautiful. Sometimes the most important things are not being the best looking or the best dressed, but being the best loved. This book makes me want to have daughters, simply so I can read it to them.
Loved it! So cute! About a girl who is invited to a birthday party and is asked to bring a doll. All the other girls bring beautiful dolls that have never been played with, she brings a doll that is loved and has messy hair and her dress is old. She gets the best-loved doll award. So cute for my girls. Looks aren't everything!
Nice little book (but not especially compelling) expressing the much told moral that it's the inside that counts. The story and illustrations flip-flopped between average and simply sweet. I did like the old fashioned counting out verses that were a little different than those I grew up with.
Aug 11, 2011
Lisa Rathbun
added it
Short and sweet. The little girl can't decide which of four dolls she should bring to a party: the antique doll, the beautiful doll, the moving doll, or the one she loves the most. I read this as a child, and remember liking the little tiny umbrellas the girls got at the party.
This was one of my favorite books as a child. Today we celebrated my daughter's 6th birthday with a party inspired by this book. Each of the party guests went home with a copy of the book.
This is one of my favorite children's books. A tale of a childs love and being brave enough to show it. I have shared it many times as gifts and when I worked at Border's in Stony Brook NY.
I bought this for Abigail because she has a doll like this. She LOVES this book. We read it all of the time. I would tell anyone with a little girl that loves dolls to buy this book.
A very well-loved book in our house. Both girls enjoy it every time we read it. We have a copy that has my name and 3rd grade homeroom messily scrawled on the inside cover.
I loved this story when I was growing up, and when I introduced my daughter to it, it became one of her favorite read-aloud stories as well. Lots of nostalgic warm fuzzies.
Mallory and I read this together one evening and loved it. It had been a favorite of mine as a little young. It was fun to read it again with my daughter.
This was another favorite book during my childhood. I think it's a theme every doll lover can relate to and will cherish.
My girls aren't into dolls, but I just loved this sweet story. Cute pictures and a book full of love!
Having a dolly and me tea party at the bookstore tomorrow and this adorbs book is almost perfect; I wish there were girls of other colors in the story. Maybe ill change the names as I read them...
One of my all time favorite books from my childhood. Such wonderful memories of reading this book.
My girls loved this book. It is about a young girl named Betsy who is invited to a party and asked to bring ONE doll. Prizes will be given for the best dressed doll, the oldest doll, and the doll that can do the most things. Betsy has four dolls...three would be sure to win once of the three prizes, but one definitely wouldn't win any prize. Which doll will she take? And what will happen at the party? My girls want to have a doll party now. It's a cute book, and I think the perfect book to intro...more
This book was perfect for my 5 year old. She was so eager for the pages to turn. Antique shopping is now on her to do list to hunt for old dolls. ♡
This was probably my favorite book growing up. Toran Isom will understand ...
Taught me that my best loved doll was probably the most worn <3
And I think slept with this book under my pillow...
Loved this! Can't wait to read it to my girls!
LOVED the great descriptions in this book.
One of my favorite books from when I was a child!
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| This book and other great children's book | 3 | 7 | Jan 06, 2012 01:58am |
American's children writer, as well as teacher and editor, known for her Appalachian fiction. Caudill graduated from Wesleyan College and, in 1922, received her master's degree from Vanderbilt University. She taught English in high school and college, and worked briefly as an editor. She moved to Urbana, Illinois, when she married James Ayars in 1931.
Caudill's book, Tree of Freedom, was a Newbery...more
More about Rebecca Caudill...
Caudill's book, Tree of Freedom, was a Newbery...more
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