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The Best-Loved Doll
Betsy has to think hard when she is asked to take a doll to a party at which prizes will be given for the oldest doll, the best-dressed doll, and the doll who can do the most things. Should she take Melissa who is a hundred years old, Belinda who wears a hand-sewn wedding dress of white taffeta, or Mary Jane who can sew a seam?
After looking at her dolls for a while, she snatches Jennifer from the bed. Jennifer who is five years old, who wears a faded dress and can't do anything but smile. Jennifer who has played so hard her hair is tangled, her nose is cracked, and her eyes don't blink. Jennifer who is her best-loved doll.
What happens when they get to the party makes for a story that was a favorite when it was first published in 1962. Thirty years later, the story of Betsy's love and loyalty will find a place in the hearts of little girls everywhere.
After looking at her dolls for a while, she snatches Jennifer from the bed. Jennifer who is five years old, who wears a faded dress and can't do anything but smile. Jennifer who has played so hard her hair is tangled, her nose is cracked, and her eyes don't blink. Jennifer who is her best-loved doll.
What happens when they get to the party makes for a story that was a favorite when it was first published in 1962. Thirty years later, the story of Betsy's love and loyalty will find a place in the hearts of little girls everywhere.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
About the author
Rebecca Caudill
35 books29 followersAmerican'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 Honor Book in 1950. A Pocketful of Cricket was a Caldecott Honor Book.
The schoolchildren of her adopted state of Illinois vote each year on their favorite book. The winning book is given the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (RCYRBA) named in honor of Caudill and her contributions to Appalachian literature.
Caudill's book, Tree of Freedom, was a Newbery Honor Book in 1950. A Pocketful of Cricket was a Caldecott Honor Book.
The schoolchildren of her adopted state of Illinois vote each year on their favorite book. The winning book is given the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (RCYRBA) named in honor of Caudill and her contributions to Appalachian literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
March 13, 2018
We really enjoyed this simple tale of a little girl choosing a doll to take to a party. The illustrations are beautiful, simple line drawings with a lilac colour wash on alternate pages, they really distracted me from reading the text!
When Betsy gets an invitation to take a doll to a party, she wonders which doll to take. Betsy has a very old doll, a very elaborately dressed doll, a doll that can operate a small sewing machine and one that could be described as being a bit worse for wear. There are prizes that can be won by the best dressed, cleverest and oldest doll. I shan't say which doll Betsy chooses to take, but as the title suggests a new category was added for the Best Loved Doll. We did think the dolls that were not chosen to go took the decision very well.
This was a lovely story although my daughter did point out there is one problem with the book, you can't have a best loved doll they should all be loved equally!
When Betsy gets an invitation to take a doll to a party, she wonders which doll to take. Betsy has a very old doll, a very elaborately dressed doll, a doll that can operate a small sewing machine and one that could be described as being a bit worse for wear. There are prizes that can be won by the best dressed, cleverest and oldest doll. I shan't say which doll Betsy chooses to take, but as the title suggests a new category was added for the Best Loved Doll. We did think the dolls that were not chosen to go took the decision very well.
This was a lovely story although my daughter did point out there is one problem with the book, you can't have a best loved doll they should all be loved equally!
March 24, 2015
True story- I found this book on a curb when I was out bicycling; training wheels, flowered basket, bell and all at the age of 6 or 7. It was pretty safe to venture out unsupervised in the early 70's but I digress. The Best-Loved Doll became my instant treasure and lifelong favorite early reader. A little girl has a collection of dolls who have different abilities and characteristics. The girl cannot decide which doll to take with her when she is invited to a friends doll party. The dolls overhear the child read the party invitation and talk amongst themselves as to which doll is best. At the last minute the child grabs the doll which is the most worn from play. At the party the mom bestoys a special ribbon for the best-loved doll. The child comes home with little party favors for all the other dolls. Life is good. You know it is a great book when you can remember almost every detail of a book you read last over 40 years ago. Lovely illustrations to boot.
February 22, 2011
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 choose one doll to bring to a friend’s party. According to the invitation, prizes will be awarded to the best dressed, the oldest and the most talented dolls. Betsy has dolls that would do well in all of those areas, but instead of taking them, she chooses Jennifer who is not at all likely to win any awards. Her dress is tattered, she looks older than her years and all she can do is smile. She's not the best in any of the prize categories, but she is the best loved doll. At least that’s what Betsy comes to realize when she follows her heart and brings Jennifer to the party.
The illustrations deliver the same sweet and gentle feeling as the text does. Some are in black and white and some have a touch of lavender, but all are beautifully detailed and still appealing today. According to a brief account at the back of the book, the illustrator “wanted the art to reflect the timelessness of the story. So he worked to achieve a period look that was both classic and feminine.” I also love the cover with the girl in red, waiting at the front door. She makes you want to open the door and go inside with her!
The whole story, about a girl and her four dolls, takes place in one afternoon. Betsy needs to choose one doll to bring to a friend’s party. According to the invitation, prizes will be awarded to the best dressed, the oldest and the most talented dolls. Betsy has dolls that would do well in all of those areas, but instead of taking them, she chooses Jennifer who is not at all likely to win any awards. Her dress is tattered, she looks older than her years and all she can do is smile. She's not the best in any of the prize categories, but she is the best loved doll. At least that’s what Betsy comes to realize when she follows her heart and brings Jennifer to the party.
The illustrations deliver the same sweet and gentle feeling as the text does. Some are in black and white and some have a touch of lavender, but all are beautifully detailed and still appealing today. According to a brief account at the back of the book, the illustrator “wanted the art to reflect the timelessness of the story. So he worked to achieve a period look that was both classic and feminine.” I also love the cover with the girl in red, waiting at the front door. She makes you want to open the door and go inside with her!
June 12, 2019
When Betsy is invited to a special party at which prizes will be given to the owners of the best-dressed, the oldest and the most talented dolls, the young girl debates which one of her collection she should take. Finally, rejecting the prize-winners, she choose Jennifer, a rather bedraggled doll whose dress is tattered and who has no special attributes. None, that is, save for being a well-loved companion to her little girl...
I adored The Best-Loved Doll as a little girl, and read my childhood copy to tatters! There is a melancholy quality to the story, that seems quite common in stories of dolls and toys that are either abandoned, or in danger of being abandoned. What makes Caudill's narrative so satisfying for the child reader, is that this abandonment is firmly rejected, not just by Betsy, who chooses to take Jennifer to the party, but by the adult authority figure (and elegant grown-up lady!) Mrs. Anderson, who creates a special prize just for this unusual doll. I liked the implicit message here about following your heart, rather than trying to impress others, and choosing to emphasize internal worth and emotional value (even in dolls!) rather than appearance or prestige. This one is a classic, and I'm so glad to see that it remains in print, so today's children can enjoy it as much as I did!
I adored The Best-Loved Doll as a little girl, and read my childhood copy to tatters! There is a melancholy quality to the story, that seems quite common in stories of dolls and toys that are either abandoned, or in danger of being abandoned. What makes Caudill's narrative so satisfying for the child reader, is that this abandonment is firmly rejected, not just by Betsy, who chooses to take Jennifer to the party, but by the adult authority figure (and elegant grown-up lady!) Mrs. Anderson, who creates a special prize just for this unusual doll. I liked the implicit message here about following your heart, rather than trying to impress others, and choosing to emphasize internal worth and emotional value (even in dolls!) rather than appearance or prestige. This one is a classic, and I'm so glad to see that it remains in print, so today's children can enjoy it as much as I did!
December 23, 2012
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 and beauty being on the inside, as well as not caring what other people may think, especially if you know that what you're doing feels right. This is one book that readers can revisit after they get older. It never loses its charm with kids or adults. Highly recommended.
March 3, 2023
I asked my daughter what she liked about the book. She said, "everything!" Enough said.
May 29, 2012
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 time and give the story an old fashioned feel. I do not remember reading this book when I was a child, but we really enjoyed reading it together.
The book is labeled as a JFIC book at my local library, but after reading reviews here, I see that the story is based on actual events. I went back to read the "About the Author and Artist page at the end of the book to get more information on the basis for the tale. I love that the author captured an event in her daughter's life and put it in a book that we read 50 years later.
The illustrations are primarily black and white, with some pink and purple hues throughout. They help to convey a sense of an older time and give the story an old fashioned feel. I do not remember reading this book when I was a child, but we really enjoyed reading it together.
The book is labeled as a JFIC book at my local library, but after reading reviews here, I see that the story is based on actual events. I went back to read the "About the Author and Artist page at the end of the book to get more information on the basis for the tale. I love that the author captured an event in her daughter's life and put it in a book that we read 50 years later.
March 23, 2014
This was my favorite book when I was quite young. I thought the story was so cool. The lesson is simple, but when you're young everything is new and interesting. Love isn't superficial. When you love a doll or blanket as a kid, you don't get a new one when it is worn out. That attachment is one of our first experiences with love. It may be silly to think of loving an inanimate object, but this plays into later life. What or who we love won't always be beautiful, but that's not what love is about. To continue, the illustrations are wonderful. I would look through this book over and over as a child examining each page. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good children's book for their kid or anyone who just wants to look at a wonderful, little book and feel like a kid again.
September 11, 2017
Growing up, I always loved to play with dolls, so I was so excited when my mom read this book to me. I think this book is for more of a mature audience. This would be a good read for older elementary school girls. This book can teach the kids how much they can do with a little imagination. It can also teach them that what's on the inside is sometimes more important than what is on the outside.
July 23, 2015
Since I have been attending many baby showers lately, I had to suggest this one for baby girl showers. My dad must have read this story a million times to me. The basic message is that the outside appearance isn't very important....it's the heart that matters.
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February 2, 2018My 6th birthday part was themed after this book. Each girl invited brought her favorite doll. My mom made beautiful 1st place ribbons for each the dolls with fancy lace and ribbon. I still have my ribbon.
June 16, 2019
Open Library has the old peach-colored Scholastic edition. I still can't remember if I read it before... I think not. Gosh those are nice little girls, well-raised.
August 8, 2012
One of the best little girls' books ever written. Love the story, love the message, love reading it to my daughter. This is one I checked out at the library and can't wait to add to our own children's book collection.
August 28, 2019
The little details are what makes this one perfect.
November 8, 2009
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 she was missing a shoe.
My mother even gave me a "best-loved-doll" party; compltete with hand made award buttons festooned with ribbon! (of course 'everyone' got a prize!)
Some years ago when my mother was dying after triple bi-pass surgery,I had a very strong feeling to bring her this book...had to really *search for it..(this was before the days of vast internet searches) found it in "Books of Wonder", a children's bookstore in New York City! They had one copy!
I was so grateful to have found this book, a story I had shared with my mother. I found it a very soothing book in my childhood. I felt its message of love and wholenes..and that it what I wanted to convey to my mother who was so traumatized from a heart attack and surgeries...No matter how 'scuffed up' you may be..You are whole and you are Loved!
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 she was missing a shoe.
My mother even gave me a "best-loved-doll" party; compltete with hand made award buttons festooned with ribbon! (of course 'everyone' got a prize!)
Some years ago when my mother was dying after triple bi-pass surgery,I had a very strong feeling to bring her this book...had to really *search for it..(this was before the days of vast internet searches) found it in "Books of Wonder", a children's bookstore in New York City! They had one copy!
I was so grateful to have found this book, a story I had shared with my mother. I found it a very soothing book in my childhood. I felt its message of love and wholenes..and that it what I wanted to convey to my mother who was so traumatized from a heart attack and surgeries...No matter how 'scuffed up' you may be..You are whole and you are Loved!
July 14, 2022
I thought this was a chapter book but it’s actually a picture big. Oops!
Sweet pictures on every page and a cute story about a little girl who is invited to a doll party and must decide which of her four dolls to bring with her.
Ages: 3 - 7
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
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Sweet pictures on every page and a cute story about a little girl who is invited to a doll party and must decide which of her four dolls to bring with her.
Ages: 3 - 7
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
September 22, 2017
This is a beautiful book about a young girl going to a friend's birthday party where the guests bring a doll and the birthday girl's mom is holding competitions. It is to see who's doll is the best dressed, the doll that can do the most and the oldest doll. The main girl who you follow has four dolls, a very fabulous doll, a doll that can sew and clean, a doll that was her great grandma had, which made it quite old and her favorite one, it was quite torn up and there was not a lot of hair on her. When she goes to the party, everyone has their oldest or their prettiest or their doll that can do the most but the main girl is the only girl who brings her favorite.
August 31, 2011
"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?
November 17, 2011
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.
March 30, 2018
Historical Fiction. This has always been one of my favorite picture books. A sweet message and beautiful simple illustrations. I can see this being either contemporary or historical fiction, but it has almost a Victorian-era feel.
August 7, 2022
A childhood favourite.
April 7, 2009
Another attic find.
I was never a doll person as a child (or horses, for that matter), so girls' unbridled affection for dolls has never quite made sense to me. Nevertheless, this little book is timeless in that the best doll at a doll party would be the best loved doll. That does make sense!
I was never a doll person as a child (or horses, for that matter), so girls' unbridled affection for dolls has never quite made sense to me. Nevertheless, this little book is timeless in that the best doll at a doll party would be the best loved doll. That does make sense!
January 17, 2018
I loved this book!
it was amazing!
it was amazing!
October 15, 2018
Sweet story of a best loved doll! I wish more stories like these were still being written. No conflicts, well-mannered children, just nice books. Loved the illustrations, too.
December 3, 2020
Very sweet.
March 19, 2021
Bought in school from Scholastic books. I noticed my illustrations and cover are all in pink and Betsy wears a green dress and the newer version is in purple and Betsy’s dress is red. 40 cents.
May 23, 2026
Normally I wouldn't include books I read to my child in my own roster, but this was a total delight for ME. Cute, perhaps unintentionally funny, and also a very relaxing read. I love the illustrations, too.
July 23, 2022
I read this with just the girls when their brother had a play date since it is exceptionally girly. The rating is an average of my rating and theirs. They are generous with their 5* reviews, and to me, this book was okay but not great. It’s a rather lengthy picture book, and I probably would have enjoyed it more if the thoughts belonged solely to the main character Betsy rather than the inanimate dolls as well.
December 30, 2022
4.5 Stars
This book my Aunt got me when I was very young and has always remained a special gift to me. I have re-read it many times and it always warms my heart.
This book my Aunt got me when I was very young and has always remained a special gift to me. I have re-read it many times and it always warms my heart.
July 6, 2008
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 introduce to young girls who are moving up from picture books to chapter books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews