Doll Face Has a Party!

by Pam Conrad, Brian Selznick (Illustrator)

When Doll Face can't find Sweet Cake for her party, a chair, a tiny tin piano, and a whispering balloon come to life to help her find the finishing touch to her soiree

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1994

About the author

Pam Conrad (1947-1996) was an author for children. Her book Our House: Stories of Levittown was a Newbery Medal finalist.

Ms. Conrad was born in New York City and graduated from the New School for Social Research.

Reviews

[Jackie B. - Death by Tsundoku · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to make of this book. It's about a doll who is putting together a party with all her inanimate object friends.

The illustrations really made this book. It's quote humorous to watch a doll wander about and interact with a balloon and a chair. There are two moments where I literally laughed aloud-- when the doll was eating cake and when she was drinking tea. It was quite literal, and the tea just fell from the cup on her face and onto the floor. However, outside the illustrations, there isn't much going for this book. Good thing this is part of reading Brian Selzinck's complete works (he illustrated this).


I recommend this to little girls who like tea parties and believe their dolls are alive.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is extremely creepy. Also not written well.

[Teaghan Lowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not a fan of this book. It honestly creeped me out a bit!
This is a story about a doll who is throwing a party and is looking for music and cake. She runs into her inanimate object friends who help her find what she needs for her party. In the beginning, she calls up her friends to come to the party, yet the party ends up being just her along with the inanimate objects (who are also her friends).
I did not find this book to be harmful, however I would not have this book in my classroom.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Dink a diddle dink a clink."

Who's ready to be terrified? If you are, raise your hand!!
For those of you that raised your hand.....
Welcome to the party!! Don't make Doll Face wait too long......

[Karen C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reminds me of those Dare Wright books ("The Lonely Doll") in the way that it's old-fashioned and creepy. But instead of photographs, it's illustrated by Brian Selznick. It is pretty cool! Conrad's story is all about imagination (talking inatimate objects throwing a party). The illustrations are rich, especially the spread with the doll under the table--the shag carpet looks like thick grass and the chair legs look like tree trunks. According to the jacket flap, this is Selznick's first picture book. I'd never seen it before today, and I work in a library, so I am pretty sure it's rare/out of print right now (7/1/09).

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I have no idea how a child would react to this book, but I personally found it kind of creepy. But, I like books that make me feel slightly uncomfortable. The story revolves around a pink-haired articulated doll who is trying to find music and Sweet Cake for her party. It struck me as a little sad that the doll ended up being the only one at the party, even though she called all her friends and they were excited to come (paraphrased) at the beginning of the book. The artwork is big and bold, filled with rich patterns and detail.

[Byuj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for my kids when they were little. I always found the illustrations to be superb and the story to be super weird, but that's what I liked about it. My children didn't like this book, though, they felt it was too weird and made them uncomfortable. I loved it when the doll ate cake and drank tea and then dribbled all over herself. It's totally weird and wacky, not for everyone and I think it's more for adults truthfully. PS I much preferred this picture book, though, in comparison to that stupid wildly successful, “Where the Wild Things Are". Ugh.

[Amber the Human · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part of my effort to read the books Brian Selznick has illustrated. This book was ... fine. Definitely muddled. The illustrations wind up being kind of in-your-face and creepy, and while that works for the book, the book didn't work for me.