A Gift from the Lonely Doll

Edith #6

by Dare Wright

Wonderful photographs and story of a doll and her bear friends.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Fiction, Art, Classics

60 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1960

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book does have a slightly melancholy feeling, it didn't have the threatening feel from other books in this series where the poor doll gets spanked. No corporal punishment happened in this one thankfully, perhaps because it was Christmas.

In this story Edith goes with Mr Bear and little bear to stay with some of his relatives for Christmas. They make presents, go skating and sledging and get a tree from the woods.

I liked that this story was quite long and the scenes are really lovely. Edith is such a lovely doll, I would have felt so sorry for her when I was little and would have loved to rescue her from those authoritarian bears and make her not feel lonely. I loved her clothes, I loved the way she had so many outfits and different hairstyles. She felt very real as dolls go. I wonder where Edith is now?

Read on open library.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story, not too sugary. Impressive photo technique, posing the characters to show expressions.

I'm going to assume that the new edition reproduced the photos poorly, and round up my 3.5 rating.

Now, I wonder if I ever read any Lonely Doll stories when I was a child.... I remember a book about grooming & personal hygiene that I think had a photographed doll as the MC; do any of you, by any chance, feel that rings a bell? Maybe it was a copycat illustrator?

[Karyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom introduced me to the world of books in the public library in our town in Connecticut and this was one of the many favorites. As a child my grandmother took my mom to the public library in their town in New York and then when my mom was a little older, she walked to the library by herself and brought home armfuls for herself and her mother. My mom had an eye for selecting memorable books that have lasted in me all my life, and I’m sure that she always had warm encouragement from the people that work to provide books to the world.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I grew up reading a few of the Lonely Doll books (we checked them out of the library) and this one is one I don't remember ever seeing.
The story is sweet and fun. Edith works on a special gift for Mr. Bear but it doesn't turn out how she thought it would. I love the photos and the message of giving someone you love something that took time and effort.
There is no mention of the real meaning of Christmas.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

More from Dare Wright. My favorite part:

"Listening to Little Bear blow his horn triumphantly and shout, 'What's too long and full of holes?' didn't comfort her a bit."

I must find and read them all.

[Esutterlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an oldie but goody. My review is for the whole series: Of course the doll's name, Edith, makes it very dated, but the name is obviously why this book first appealed to me as a child. Then the fact that she is always getting into trouble, often because she doesn't do what she is told; also that she has good intentions, and takes everything personally -- that also resonated with me. But I still like the book for the illustrations - the idea of placing a doll and teddy bear(s) in real home/country settings and using the photographs to help tell the story was always appealing to me, and I emulated the technique in creating a story for my children at least once.
Of course the date read is just a guess, and I've read it several times since the first few times way back when.
In this "gift" book, I also like Edith's knitting; I, too, have gotten carried away when knitting a straight scarf.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, it's a kids book and so reviewing it is almost a waste of time. I just want to say that Dare Wright was a great photographer and got pretty cool expressions out of what on the surface appears to be a fairly expressionless little girl doll. The photos are framed well and the compositions are pretty expressive. They serve her simple tales well. I liked this a lot.

[Claire Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite. April booklist suggestion was to "reread your favorite book from childhood". This was one of my very favorites. I think I loved the photographs, not surprising since photography is still one of my passions.

[Madame Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, the illustrations reminded me of an episode of The Twilight Zone. The story was sweet though.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discovered these books late in my life. A wonderful children's story about a Christmas gift that Edith made for someone she loves. Some what seems like sibling squabbling is quite entertaining...it's actually between Edith & Little Bear. As with all of Ms. Wright's books, the photo's used for the telling of the story are spectacular.

[Betsy]

After learning of Dare Wright’s tragic, lonely life as the daughter of a controlling narcissist mother (named Eddie!) and their codependent relationship, I had to get my hands on one of her books. This was the only Lonely Doll book available from my library. It was a sweet holiday story with impressive photography. Wright’s childlike nature and creativity shines.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was even more creepy than the previous one I read.

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

My co-worker and I discovered the "Lonely Doll" series from the 50's while at work. Although completely disturbed by the creepy nature and underlying tones of these books, we couldn't help but be drawn in by them. The tone and innuendo makes one feel as if the author, model and photographer,Dare Wright, might have suffered some form of abuse in her past that seemed to be subtly manifesting itself through her work with these books. I wouldn't recommend these books for children, but they make an interesting conversation piece for adults.
Apparently, there is also a biography on Dare Wright entitled: "The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll: The Search for Dare Wright" that touches on how she used her art as a means to cope with childhood struggles.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember the Lonely Doll books from growing up, but I never cared for them personally. I didn't like the black and white photography. The idea of the real photographs is neat, but I've never cared for black and white. The storyline is cute, and I'd have liked the book with colorful realistic illustrations, but as is, I mildly dislike the book.

Now, however, I have children of my own, and my mother has given us the books. Several of my children (ages 9, 7.5, 5.5, 4, and 2) really enjoy the books. So I compromised on a rating of just liking it.

[Roberta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw this on a blog the other day and decided to give it a whirl. These Lonely Doll books surely must have been around when I was a little girl, yet I don't remember seeing them at all. The story was ok - Lonely Doll Edith knits a muffler for Mr. Bear for Christmas, but it's way too long so she cuts it in thirds and gives Charles and Albert Bear each a muffler as well. What I liked were the black and white photos. Very nostalgic. It takes all of 10-15 minutes to read.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read the Lonely Doll books in a fit of nostalgia. I remember enjoying this story because of the knitting -- something my mother did all the time, but which I had no knack for...rather like Edith...

[Selkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this was one of Dare Wright's best stories. I would have given it the highest rating if it not for the compromising picture of Edith and Mr Bear (but it does seem like there was at least one of those in each Lonely Doll book)

[Clementine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lonely Doll story for the knitters. A good Christmas read for when you're just plain done with The Polar Express over and over and over again.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What's too long and full of holes?"

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice .

[Irina Trancă · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an original book - illustrated with photographs of Edith, the doll and teddy bears, accompanying the story in a very sweet way. Too bad they're black and white, tough.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter took this book out from her preschool library. 1966 published version, this book is extremely creepy.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, and smart!