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The Doll Hospital
When toys need a little (or a lot of!) TLC, they head to the Doll Hospital in this endearing picture book in the tradition of Doc McStuffins . Don’t worry, toys, Dr. Pegs will have you feeling better in no time!
It’s a quiet morning at the Doll Hospital until…
DING-A-LING-A-LING!
The emergency bells ring!
Here comes a patient who needs Dr. Pegs’s help.
Dr. Pegs is about to get to work when…
DING-A-LING-A-LING!
Here comes another patient! And another!
How will Dr. Pegs take care of them all? Looks like the doctor needs some help herself!
It’s a quiet morning at the Doll Hospital until…
DING-A-LING-A-LING!
The emergency bells ring!
Here comes a patient who needs Dr. Pegs’s help.
Dr. Pegs is about to get to work when…
DING-A-LING-A-LING!
Here comes another patient! And another!
How will Dr. Pegs take care of them all? Looks like the doctor needs some help herself!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 5, 2018
61 people want to read
About the author
Kallie George
93 books382 followersI’m an author, editor, and speaker living in Vancouver, BC, near the sea. When I’m not writing or editing, I’m teaching creative writing workshops.
I have my Masters of Children's Literature from the University of British Columbia.
I love picture books, fairy tales, beautiful art and music, and baking cookies.
I have my Masters of Children's Literature from the University of British Columbia.
I love picture books, fairy tales, beautiful art and music, and baking cookies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 25, 2018
Princess Sophia loves to play hospital or doctors office and even has the Doc McStuffin nursery, so I had a feeling she would be excited to read The Doll Hospital by Kallie George and I was right. When the UPS driver delivered it, she grabbed it and hugged the adorable cover while asking if we could read it.
The Doll Hospital located in the attic of a Doll House is where our story takes place. It's early morning and Dr. Peg is organizing her supplies. In the hospital there are beds for her patients and buttons, thread and needles for surgeries. Dr. Peg has just double checked her to-do-list and finds she only needs to organize the buttons. As soon as she begins the bells ring announcing a patient has arrived. Before you know it, Dr. Peg has a full house and her list is growing. Before she can even beginning something on the list, another patient arrives even a bear. This is a doll hospital, but she will help Teddy too. Princess Sophia loved the colorful illustrations and the different patients and their problems. She sympathized with Dr. Peg and even cried out, "Oh no, another patient!" as I read the words, Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling.
Our favorite part was when Dr. Peg realizing she needs help calls the Nesting Nurses. The illustrations were cute and soon the hospital and patients were set to rights. Princess Sophia liked the nesting dolls so much that I ordered her a set from Amazon. This was a delightful tale, with repetitive words and phrases that made it easy for Princess Sophia to anticipate what would happen next. Now she can read the book using images and repetition as her guide. This story is perfect for early readers. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The Doll Hospital located in the attic of a Doll House is where our story takes place. It's early morning and Dr. Peg is organizing her supplies. In the hospital there are beds for her patients and buttons, thread and needles for surgeries. Dr. Peg has just double checked her to-do-list and finds she only needs to organize the buttons. As soon as she begins the bells ring announcing a patient has arrived. Before you know it, Dr. Peg has a full house and her list is growing. Before she can even beginning something on the list, another patient arrives even a bear. This is a doll hospital, but she will help Teddy too. Princess Sophia loved the colorful illustrations and the different patients and their problems. She sympathized with Dr. Peg and even cried out, "Oh no, another patient!" as I read the words, Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling.
Our favorite part was when Dr. Peg realizing she needs help calls the Nesting Nurses. The illustrations were cute and soon the hospital and patients were set to rights. Princess Sophia liked the nesting dolls so much that I ordered her a set from Amazon. This was a delightful tale, with repetitive words and phrases that made it easy for Princess Sophia to anticipate what would happen next. Now she can read the book using images and repetition as her guide. This story is perfect for early readers. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
April 5, 2018
I loved this--especially the Nesting Nurses. Very cute story about working together, asking for help, and an introduction to hospitals in the gentlest way possible. The artwork is lovely and I really like how it calls directly back to the text with the sun and the moon. Also points for having dolls with a variety of skin tones.
August 6, 2018
First sentence: The sun rises like a golden button in the sky. Dr. Pegs is enjoying a calm morning at the Doll Hospital.
Premise/plot: Dr. Pegs doesn't have much to do, or does she?! Just how busy can a hospital get in a day?!
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. Dr. Pegs is ALL about the checklists. It is a good thing she's an organizer. Because there are a LOT of dolls in trouble. The thought of so many dolls having accidents worries me. I know it's necessary for a doctor to have patients....but still. I don't think this will bother most readers.
This may be my favorite cumulative tale that I've read this year.
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10
Premise/plot: Dr. Pegs doesn't have much to do, or does she?! Just how busy can a hospital get in a day?!
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. Dr. Pegs is ALL about the checklists. It is a good thing she's an organizer. Because there are a LOT of dolls in trouble. The thought of so many dolls having accidents worries me. I know it's necessary for a doctor to have patients....but still. I don't think this will bother most readers.
This may be my favorite cumulative tale that I've read this year.
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10
August 10, 2021
This story is about Dr Peg, a doll who is a doctor, taking care of other toys on the mend. The artwork seems to be made from paper dolls- it’s done in sweet pastels and something feels very nostalgic about it. The story is simple and the moral is about asking for help when you need it. While the books is recommended for 4-8 year olds, I would say the younger ones (2-3) would also very much enjoy it, maybe even more than 8 year olds. It really appeals to any kid who loves playing doctor with their dolls! While the story and plot are fairly simple, I’m giving it five stars because I’ve never picked anything up quite like it. Very original. My 5 year old really liked it. The alliterations of the emergency bells had us giggling and reading aloud together and the art (specifically the cover) were big hits with her. [We read this together at bedtime, the night after her first day of kindergarten.]
January 10, 2020
Such a sweet book with bright and colorful illustrations. I just loved it. The story follows Dr. Pegs as she is planning her day to sort buttons because no one is sick and needs her attention. Just when she gets started, the doorbell rings and the sick dolls start coming. A very cute story for kids of all ages. I highly recommend it especially if you love dolls like I do.
June 1, 2022
My girls loved this one. They get to be part of the vote for what we rate it here on Goodreads.
July 13, 2018
Lovely! Dr. Pegs takes care of dolls but when her caseload becomes overwhelming, the Nesting Nurses arrive to lend a hand. Fans of Doc McStuffins will appreciate that Dr. Pegs is kind, patient, and works well with others. Recommended for ages 3 - 5.
June 17, 2018
The Doll Hospital is a children's picture book intended for children four to eight years of age. It is a simple story about Pegs the doll, who is in charge of the doll hospital. Throughout the day Pegs becomes overburdened with all her doll patients and relies on the help of her nesting doll friends to get through. The illustrations are unique, every patient is a doll so they have a button eye missing, a broken porcelain arm, or fluff coming from their tummy. During the day the sun is a yellow button and at night the moon is shiny silver thread. The main character Pegs does not seem very knowledgeable about doll health. Every time a patient comes to the doll hospital in need of assistance, there is a repetition of words: "Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling!" Children will know what to say and when to say it when they see the red bells. Children will also begin to recognize these words from the repetition. Any young reader, especially those with dolls, will relate to this book. I can imagine some playing "doll hospital" after being read the story. This book can be helpful when a child suffers an injury, adults can show them illustrations from the book to ease the apprehension.
August 26, 2018
Story about team work, perseverance and remembering to take a deep breath.
July 28, 2018
Stuffed with buttons, fluff and mounds of concern, this tale radiates the joy of helping others.
Dr. Pegs is up with the sun, ready to help any toy in need. What starts as a calm day, quickly fills with all sorts of small emergencies. Even though she's trying her best, there are simply too many patients for Dr. Pegs to handle on her own. Luckily, she has some amazing helpers who can assist her to save the day.
Everything about this book is sweet and warming. Dr. Pegs is a nurse full of duty, joy and readiness to help anyone she can. She's good at what she does too. Her attitude is inspirational as adorable and cuddly patients come in, each with a problem perfectly fitting for dolls and stuffed animals/friends. Fans of playing nurse or hospital are going to love this read as each patient is taken seriously and with sympathy, but still matching to a doll house world.
This story isn't about an all-saving nurse but shows how important having friends can be too. Even wonderful characters like Dr. Pegs reach their limit on what they can do. And that's what I really love about this tale. She knows when to ask for help and has no trouble admitting it. Team work is just as important as helping others, and it's a great message.
The illustrations are bright without being overly brilliant. The comfortable color tones and style slides right into place with dolls and stuffed animals, allowing the world to come to life. There's a nice mixture of materials and cloth in the pictures, giving it a cozy feel. The text plays right into the illustrations, making it fun to read-a-loud with lots of possibilities of expression and fun. There's simply so much to enjoy and cuddle into with this read.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed this one so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
Dr. Pegs is up with the sun, ready to help any toy in need. What starts as a calm day, quickly fills with all sorts of small emergencies. Even though she's trying her best, there are simply too many patients for Dr. Pegs to handle on her own. Luckily, she has some amazing helpers who can assist her to save the day.
Everything about this book is sweet and warming. Dr. Pegs is a nurse full of duty, joy and readiness to help anyone she can. She's good at what she does too. Her attitude is inspirational as adorable and cuddly patients come in, each with a problem perfectly fitting for dolls and stuffed animals/friends. Fans of playing nurse or hospital are going to love this read as each patient is taken seriously and with sympathy, but still matching to a doll house world.
This story isn't about an all-saving nurse but shows how important having friends can be too. Even wonderful characters like Dr. Pegs reach their limit on what they can do. And that's what I really love about this tale. She knows when to ask for help and has no trouble admitting it. Team work is just as important as helping others, and it's a great message.
The illustrations are bright without being overly brilliant. The comfortable color tones and style slides right into place with dolls and stuffed animals, allowing the world to come to life. There's a nice mixture of materials and cloth in the pictures, giving it a cozy feel. The text plays right into the illustrations, making it fun to read-a-loud with lots of possibilities of expression and fun. There's simply so much to enjoy and cuddle into with this read.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed this one so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
August 21, 2018
What starts out as a quiet morning at the doll hospital quickly turns into a busy day for Dr. Pegs. Luckily, a stack of matryoshka doll nurses arrive to help.
The illustrations are done in a Scandinavian folk style with muted cheery colors, and the accompanying text is simple with a nice flow. As all children have experience with broken toys, they are bound to enjoy this story of doll repairs. Children who like playing doll Doctor with a toy doctor's kit will especially enjoy this book.
There are a variety of different dolls, representing people from diverse backgrounds. (I found it strange that the teddy bear was almost turned away for not being a doll as I consider stuffed animals as well as action figures to be dolls.) All have different injuries but receive the same attentive care. They are even kept overnight for observation. None were damaged beyond repair, so the story ends happily.
Although the story itself lacks the complexity of Doctor Squash the Doll Doctor, it is more accessible to young readers since it features straightforward injuries rather than rare illnesses and odd accidents.
The illustrations are done in a Scandinavian folk style with muted cheery colors, and the accompanying text is simple with a nice flow. As all children have experience with broken toys, they are bound to enjoy this story of doll repairs. Children who like playing doll Doctor with a toy doctor's kit will especially enjoy this book.
There are a variety of different dolls, representing people from diverse backgrounds. (I found it strange that the teddy bear was almost turned away for not being a doll as I consider stuffed animals as well as action figures to be dolls.) All have different injuries but receive the same attentive care. They are even kept overnight for observation. None were damaged beyond repair, so the story ends happily.
Although the story itself lacks the complexity of Doctor Squash the Doll Doctor, it is more accessible to young readers since it features straightforward injuries rather than rare illnesses and odd accidents.
February 24, 2019
Told from the perspective of a doll who is a doctor, this story is about an abundance of tasks that keep building on top of one another until it becomes overwhelming. Dr. Pegs seems calm, cool, and collected at the beginning of the book, but when patients come in one-after-the-other, she begins to feel stressed out because her to-do list is becoming too long for her to handle. She needs to ask for help and assistant nurses come to her side and help her get everything done. It's a good lesson on asking for help, but the story stressed me out as a reader because Dr. Pegs became very frantic. This book is good for early readers, but I would not use it in my classroom as a learning device. Rather, it can just be read for fun.
April 11, 2025
The doll lover in me adores this book! All the details in the illustrations made me squeal. The citrusy color scheme made me think of old school Fisher Price Little People. And the assortment of dolls was so delightful!
The story follows Dr Peg during a day at the doll hospital. A variety of dolls (and a stuffed animal) ring the bell for help each with a different ailment. There is so much for Dr Peg to do. She calls in the nesting nurses to help out. And they have a successful day at the doll hospital!
The story follows Dr Peg during a day at the doll hospital. A variety of dolls (and a stuffed animal) ring the bell for help each with a different ailment. There is so much for Dr Peg to do. She calls in the nesting nurses to help out. And they have a successful day at the doll hospital!
August 1, 2018
Every child who has played doctor or nurse to their toys will love this little story about a busy doll hospital. As Dr Pegs list of patients become bigger and bigger, her patience is put to the test. With the help of the nesting nurses everyone gets taken care of. I love the old fashioned candy coloured look to the drawings.
August 25, 2018
I liked the idea that the doctor needed help to get things under control with the nurses and I knew exactly how the doctor felt that just about the time you think you can get to the next thing on your list, an emergency happens!
May 15, 2020
A longstanding favorite of my 3 year old daughter, she is able to recite this one from memory. I love the message of seeking help when you get overwhelmed, because sometimes it’s hard to ask for help! The illustrations are adorable and I like the use of only a few colors.
July 12, 2022
I got this from the used book sale at work (library), no book jacket, thumbed through it and brought it home, thought nothing of it. Violet asked me to read it and I've had to read it every night, multiple times per night, for about 2 weeks now. And I don't mind because it's so friggen cute!
June 7, 2018
I love the nesting nurses.
July 23, 2018
Feels - in the best way possible - that I’m reading a book that’s 50 years old.
July 29, 2018
The doll hospital starts off cute and sweet until Dr. Pegs gets overwhelmed with her list of to dos and ends up doing nothing herself :(
August 12, 2018
Repetition builds to a satisfying ending.
Limited color illustrations are adequate.
Limited color illustrations are adequate.
August 17, 2018
So cute on so many levels!!
August 22, 2018
Unique bold pastel illustrations that have a folk art feel, the story is a little basic but I like how it builds
April 25, 2019
I thought this a cute story with a nice rhythm. I can see a very specific audience liking this story.
June 5, 2019
No YOU got stressed out reading a fictional doll's to-do list
A nice book about appreciating the labor of nurses (kidding) (not kidding)
A nice book about appreciating the labor of nurses (kidding) (not kidding)
August 14, 2019
4.5 stars, super cute!
August 29, 2019
My four year old really likes this book. I like how it shows how to deal with being overwhelmed by asking for help.
July 15, 2020
Expertly composed and lots of fun.
June 29, 2021
Cute and adorable, but not much else. My 6 yr old enjoyed it.
October 9, 2021
I really enjoyed this book - it is about a doll who looks after the other toys and helps them out. It is a kids version of how a doctor's day may be working in a hospital.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews