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Doll People #3
The Runaway Dolls
This wholesome, award-winning classic that has sold more than 1 million copies is written by bestselling authors and illustrated by a Caldecott-winning artist, telling the story of a 100-year-old china doll who discovers surprising friendships and thrilling adventures.
Best friends Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft have stumbled upon an unexpected visitor, a new doll named Tilly May. She's arrived in a mysterious package...but she looks so familiar. Could she be Annabelle's long-lost baby sister? It'll take a runaway adventure to find out for sure. Are the dolls ready for life on the road?
This fresh twist on the beloved genre of doll stories will spark imagination and a sense of wonder in young readers and will send them on a search for the fourth book in the series, The Doll People Set Sail.
Best friends Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft have stumbled upon an unexpected visitor, a new doll named Tilly May. She's arrived in a mysterious package...but she looks so familiar. Could she be Annabelle's long-lost baby sister? It'll take a runaway adventure to find out for sure. Are the dolls ready for life on the road?
This fresh twist on the beloved genre of doll stories will spark imagination and a sense of wonder in young readers and will send them on a search for the fourth book in the series, The Doll People Set Sail.
368 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2008
85 people are currently reading
1946 people want to read
About the author
Ann M. Martin
1,102 books3,046 followersAnn Matthews Martin was born on August 12, 1955. She grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, with her parents and her younger sister, Jane. After graduating from Smith College, Ann became a teacher and then an editor of children's books. She's now a full-time writer.
Ann gets the ideas for her books from many different places. Some are based on personal experiences, while others are based on childhood memories and feelings. Many are written about contemporary problems or events. All of Ann's characters, even the members of the Baby-sitters Club, are made up. But many of her characters are based on real people. Sometimes Ann names her characters after people she knows, and other times she simply chooses names that she likes.
Ann has always enjoyed writing. Even before she was old enough to write, she would dictate stories to her mother to write down for her. Some of her favorite authors at that time were Lewis Carroll, P. L. Travers, Hugh Lofting, Astrid Lindgren, and Roald Dahl. They inspired her to become a writer herself.
Since ending the BSC series in 2000, Ann’s writing has concentrated on single novels, many of which are set in the 1960s.
After living in New York City for many years, Ann moved to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York where she now lives with her dog, Sadie, and her cats, Gussie, Willy and Woody. Her hobbies are reading, sewing, and needlework. Her favorite thing to do is to make clothes for children.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/annmma...
Ann gets the ideas for her books from many different places. Some are based on personal experiences, while others are based on childhood memories and feelings. Many are written about contemporary problems or events. All of Ann's characters, even the members of the Baby-sitters Club, are made up. But many of her characters are based on real people. Sometimes Ann names her characters after people she knows, and other times she simply chooses names that she likes.
Ann has always enjoyed writing. Even before she was old enough to write, she would dictate stories to her mother to write down for her. Some of her favorite authors at that time were Lewis Carroll, P. L. Travers, Hugh Lofting, Astrid Lindgren, and Roald Dahl. They inspired her to become a writer herself.
Since ending the BSC series in 2000, Ann’s writing has concentrated on single novels, many of which are set in the 1960s.
After living in New York City for many years, Ann moved to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York where she now lives with her dog, Sadie, and her cats, Gussie, Willy and Woody. Her hobbies are reading, sewing, and needlework. Her favorite thing to do is to make clothes for children.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/annmma...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
August 13, 2017
Many, many years ago, I read The Doll People aloud to my sons. And even though it was about "girlstuff," they loved it. They loved the sequel, The Meanest Doll in the World, even more. Then they grew up, and I grew even older. When I saw this one on the shelf at the library not long ago, I knew I had to read it . . . to myself this time.
What a treat it was, visiting with Annabelle and Tiffany again!
In this adventure, the dolls sneak out of the house, and end up in a department store. There are plenty of other dolls to socialize with, but how on earth are they going to get back home? Though not quite as charming as the earlier books, this was still a delightful read.
My youngest son, now nineteen, saw this book lying on the couch. "I didn't know there was a third one," he said. When I asked if he wanted to read it, he declined. "Do you want me to read it to you?" I asked. He just smiled, shook his head, and walked away. But I would. I would SO read the crap out of this book to him.
What a treat it was, visiting with Annabelle and Tiffany again!
In this adventure, the dolls sneak out of the house, and end up in a department store. There are plenty of other dolls to socialize with, but how on earth are they going to get back home? Though not quite as charming as the earlier books, this was still a delightful read.
My youngest son, now nineteen, saw this book lying on the couch. "I didn't know there was a third one," he said. When I asked if he wanted to read it, he declined. "Do you want me to read it to you?" I asked. He just smiled, shook his head, and walked away. But I would. I would SO read the crap out of this book to him.
June 15, 2011
I checked this out on a whim from the library—it had been languishing on my virtual TBR shelf for ages and when I found out the library had a copy on audiobook (and that the length perfectly coincided with my remaining commute hours before summer break), I snatched it up eagerly. I was enchanted within seconds—literally! The little intro music was so perfect—whimsical and fun and magical—and the moment Lynn Redgrave began her delightful narration I just let out a blissful sigh—it was like listening to a lovely, wise, witty, warm British grandma read a brilliant bedtime story. I didn’t even realize at first that this is actually the third book in a series (the library only has this one on audiobook) but the story is set up so well that I don’t think it matters. Of course, you’ll miss out on some of the surprises from the earlier books if you read them out of order, and I think all the books must be equally good based on the reviews here so I highly suggest you start at the beginning if you can!
I think I am spoiler-free for this review (and earlier books) by saying that I love the two main dolls in this story, Annabelle and Tilly. Annabelle is an antique doll, still well-loved and played with by Kate Palmer, the 10-year-old great-great-granddaughter of her original owner. Though Annabelle is in contemporary America now, she remembers well all the way back to being created at the dollmaker’s shop back in England at the turn of the century. Tilly is a modern FunCraft doll, and she belongs to Kate’s younger sister. Annabelle is a bit more timid and prone to worry whereas Tilly is quite the go-getter (though can you really blame Annabelle when she is made of stainable, breakable cloth and china and Tilly is durable plastic that can be wiped clean in an instant!?) yet despite their differences they are best friends and have lots of adventures together when the Palmers are asleep. Oh, they’ve had some near-misses in the past, coming quite close to breaking the laws of Dollkind (such as if a human sees them moving or if they end up somewhere that a human didn’t put them to begin with) and having to endure PDS (Permanent Doll State) as a consequence, but they’ve always pulled through and continue to be Living Dolls. In this particular case, their adventure takes them beyond the Palmer’s house and into the wider neighborhood and city as they become Runaway Dolls.
The storytelling is so magical, so warm and fun. The world of the dolls is set up so realistically with all of its rules, yet it still continues to delight and enchant. Fans of “Toy Story” or other stories where dolls come to life will certainly appreciate this tale. I loved everything about it. Even the secondary characters are great fun, from Annabelle’s Victorian extended family to the dolls the Annabelle and Tilly meet on their adventure. Highly recommended!!! (Especially the audio version, though I like Brian Selznick as an illustrator so I may have to check out the book version, too!)
I think I am spoiler-free for this review (and earlier books) by saying that I love the two main dolls in this story, Annabelle and Tilly. Annabelle is an antique doll, still well-loved and played with by Kate Palmer, the 10-year-old great-great-granddaughter of her original owner. Though Annabelle is in contemporary America now, she remembers well all the way back to being created at the dollmaker’s shop back in England at the turn of the century. Tilly is a modern FunCraft doll, and she belongs to Kate’s younger sister. Annabelle is a bit more timid and prone to worry whereas Tilly is quite the go-getter (though can you really blame Annabelle when she is made of stainable, breakable cloth and china and Tilly is durable plastic that can be wiped clean in an instant!?) yet despite their differences they are best friends and have lots of adventures together when the Palmers are asleep. Oh, they’ve had some near-misses in the past, coming quite close to breaking the laws of Dollkind (such as if a human sees them moving or if they end up somewhere that a human didn’t put them to begin with) and having to endure PDS (Permanent Doll State) as a consequence, but they’ve always pulled through and continue to be Living Dolls. In this particular case, their adventure takes them beyond the Palmer’s house and into the wider neighborhood and city as they become Runaway Dolls.
The storytelling is so magical, so warm and fun. The world of the dolls is set up so realistically with all of its rules, yet it still continues to delight and enchant. Fans of “Toy Story” or other stories where dolls come to life will certainly appreciate this tale. I loved everything about it. Even the secondary characters are great fun, from Annabelle’s Victorian extended family to the dolls the Annabelle and Tilly meet on their adventure. Highly recommended!!! (Especially the audio version, though I like Brian Selznick as an illustrator so I may have to check out the book version, too!)
March 17, 2014
This is the third book in the series and I have loved each one immensely! I appreciate the thoughtfulness and detail that goes into the rules of the doll world, as well as how the world would appear to be from a doll's perspective. The plots are intriguing and sparks the interest of the part of me that would love to be ten years old again and create doll worlds in the bushes and trees.
I have listened to the audiobooks, and I think Redgrave has such a perfect voice for these books! She can take on the characters so delightfully, and yet narrates with such warmth that it's like a grandma reading you a bedtime story.
This book sends some of the doll's on a grand adventure -- even outside! And we get to meet new dolls and discover what it is like for dolls waiting for their forever home (aka waiting to be purchased). And some questions that have been present for the entire series finally get answered.
There are one or two things that I wasn't 100% sure I agreed with, but they weren't major enough for me to deduct an entire star from my rating.
Even though I imagine this series is aimed at young to middle grade readers, I'd encourage readers of any age to partake of these tales, especially if you love a little imagination!
I have listened to the audiobooks, and I think Redgrave has such a perfect voice for these books! She can take on the characters so delightfully, and yet narrates with such warmth that it's like a grandma reading you a bedtime story.
This book sends some of the doll's on a grand adventure -- even outside! And we get to meet new dolls and discover what it is like for dolls waiting for their forever home (aka waiting to be purchased). And some questions that have been present for the entire series finally get answered.
There are one or two things that I wasn't 100% sure I agreed with, but they weren't major enough for me to deduct an entire star from my rating.
Even though I imagine this series is aimed at young to middle grade readers, I'd encourage readers of any age to partake of these tales, especially if you love a little imagination!
January 19, 2023
I love it you ust got to get to the good part then it’s amazing!!
October 20, 2008
When I was a child, I was quite certain that all my dolls and stuffed animals possessed a Rich Inner Life, and even now when I go up to the attic to haul down holiday trappings, I could swear that my daughters’ old Barbies, baby dolls, and stuffed animals are sending me reproachful vibes from their plastic storage bins.
Perhaps this is why I’ve always been drawn to books about dolls, and not just any doll books, oh no. In my favorite books, the dolls walk, talk, and in general lead much more interesting lives than you or me (well, than me, anyway).
The Runaway Dolls by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin and illustrated by Brian Selznick (Hyperion 2008) is the third in the Doll People series. Before they even read a word, savvy fans of the first two books will be able to guess from a short series of illustrations that a long-lost character may be about to make an appearance – and sure enough, that package we see being addressed, then lost behind some furniture, then finally mailed 100 years later contains Annabelle Doll’s baby sister (well, actually she’s “free” as she says with her lisp, and fully able to walk and talk). The package has arrived just as the human inhabitants have left on vacation and has not been opened; because it isn’t addressed to them but rather to the person who lived in the house 100 years ago, Annabelle is terrified that the package might be sent back unopened. She and her best friend Tiffany Funcraft carefully open the package, let out Matilda May (“Tilly”) and then, in a panic, run away.
They hitch a ride on a red wagon pulled by some human boys and end up in the woods with their doll brothers Bobby and Bailey. Together, they make their way to a department store’s toy section, and then (after some travails) back home again, where all ends up just fine (except for “consequences” for Annabelle and Tiffany on account of running away).
Tilly is the ultimate little sister, half adorable and half annoying, with plenty of questions about the world. Although her knowledge of the world is limited, she, like the other four doll kids, contributes to the efforts to get back home again against fairly huge odds. The story is eventful, with a pleasant balance of fast-paced action and character-driven interaction. Most kids will probably find the scenes in the toy section of the department store very intriguing, if rather reminiscent of Toy Story 2. All sorts of dolls play all night long (including dozens of identical Tiffanys and Baileys, which Annabelle finds downright creepy) – Selznick’s illustrations of these characters are spot-on.
As in the first two books, Selznick’s life-like drawings are integral to the book – they not only illustrate but enhance the story and help to move the plot forward. Much of the humor derives from the illustrations, as well, with the text expressing more twinkle than guffaw. I only had one problem with the illustrations – they make clear the main flaw of this book, which is that there is no way five little dolls could either successfully manage the physical things they attempt (such as climbing all the way up a red wagon, even if they did use the wheels – Tiffany maybe, but not Annabelle) or remain unseen (such as when they all dash across crowded sidewalks to the department store). I had to suspend loads of disbelief – which is luckily something I do both frequently and with great facility (I believed Bill Clinton when he said he didn’t have an affair with “that woman” – yes, I am that naïve).
Quibbles aside, this is a worthy successor to the first two Doll People books and will be enjoyed by grades 2 to 5.
And here, as a special bonus, is my list of all-time favorite novels about dolls and toys!
Miss Hickory by Carolyn and Sherwin Bailey
The Little Wooden Doll by Margery Williams Bianco
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Hitty: Her First One Hundred Years by Rachel Field
The Doll’s House by Rumer Godden
A Mouse and His Child by Russell Hoban
Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins (and the sequel Toy Dance Party)
The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin (and the sequel The Meanest Doll in the World)
Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
Perhaps this is why I’ve always been drawn to books about dolls, and not just any doll books, oh no. In my favorite books, the dolls walk, talk, and in general lead much more interesting lives than you or me (well, than me, anyway).
The Runaway Dolls by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin and illustrated by Brian Selznick (Hyperion 2008) is the third in the Doll People series. Before they even read a word, savvy fans of the first two books will be able to guess from a short series of illustrations that a long-lost character may be about to make an appearance – and sure enough, that package we see being addressed, then lost behind some furniture, then finally mailed 100 years later contains Annabelle Doll’s baby sister (well, actually she’s “free” as she says with her lisp, and fully able to walk and talk). The package has arrived just as the human inhabitants have left on vacation and has not been opened; because it isn’t addressed to them but rather to the person who lived in the house 100 years ago, Annabelle is terrified that the package might be sent back unopened. She and her best friend Tiffany Funcraft carefully open the package, let out Matilda May (“Tilly”) and then, in a panic, run away.
They hitch a ride on a red wagon pulled by some human boys and end up in the woods with their doll brothers Bobby and Bailey. Together, they make their way to a department store’s toy section, and then (after some travails) back home again, where all ends up just fine (except for “consequences” for Annabelle and Tiffany on account of running away).
Tilly is the ultimate little sister, half adorable and half annoying, with plenty of questions about the world. Although her knowledge of the world is limited, she, like the other four doll kids, contributes to the efforts to get back home again against fairly huge odds. The story is eventful, with a pleasant balance of fast-paced action and character-driven interaction. Most kids will probably find the scenes in the toy section of the department store very intriguing, if rather reminiscent of Toy Story 2. All sorts of dolls play all night long (including dozens of identical Tiffanys and Baileys, which Annabelle finds downright creepy) – Selznick’s illustrations of these characters are spot-on.
As in the first two books, Selznick’s life-like drawings are integral to the book – they not only illustrate but enhance the story and help to move the plot forward. Much of the humor derives from the illustrations, as well, with the text expressing more twinkle than guffaw. I only had one problem with the illustrations – they make clear the main flaw of this book, which is that there is no way five little dolls could either successfully manage the physical things they attempt (such as climbing all the way up a red wagon, even if they did use the wheels – Tiffany maybe, but not Annabelle) or remain unseen (such as when they all dash across crowded sidewalks to the department store). I had to suspend loads of disbelief – which is luckily something I do both frequently and with great facility (I believed Bill Clinton when he said he didn’t have an affair with “that woman” – yes, I am that naïve).
Quibbles aside, this is a worthy successor to the first two Doll People books and will be enjoyed by grades 2 to 5.
And here, as a special bonus, is my list of all-time favorite novels about dolls and toys!
Miss Hickory by Carolyn and Sherwin Bailey
The Little Wooden Doll by Margery Williams Bianco
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Hitty: Her First One Hundred Years by Rachel Field
The Doll’s House by Rumer Godden
A Mouse and His Child by Russell Hoban
Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins (and the sequel Toy Dance Party)
The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin (and the sequel The Meanest Doll in the World)
Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
August 11, 2018
It's between 2 and 2.5/3 stars for this one.
This just wasn't as good as the first two books in the series. I liked the illustrations that accompanied every page; they had a sort of sketch look to them and were pleasing to look at.
This just wasn't as good as the first two books in the series. I liked the illustrations that accompanied every page; they had a sort of sketch look to them and were pleasing to look at.
February 11, 2016
Lovely book! :) I have it here, and it's a pleasure to read. One of my favorites. Very well written!
April 1, 2024
The second one was my fav!
November 17, 2023
I had a self-imposed challenge to read the whole series (of the books I have) as a 21 yr old for nostalgia. This one wasn't as cheesy as the others, probably my fav out of all of them. If you're a typical adult reader though, keep in mind it is a children's book. For the kiddos, it is very good. Loved it as a kid
April 7, 2021
I loved this book! It's really cool and stuff.
May 12, 2022
Just as delightful as the other books in this series!
September 4, 2023
I love it! On to the 4th dolls book. 📖❤️😊
November 16, 2023
“If you’re going to run away. I’m coming with you.✨”
September 10, 2024
So fun to read with my 6 year old. Could not love this series more!
Read
April 3, 2025The look on my daughter’s face when Mean Mimi appeared in the story was priceless hahah. So fun to listen to this with her!
January 18, 2025
My 6-year-old daughter rated this 10 out of 5 stars. It's a great book with an engaging story line that's just as fun as the first two. I loved reading this out loud to her and giving all the dolls different voices. The author also does a great job of making that possible by clearly stating who says each thing.
February 9, 2017
3.5 stars. Fun story that reminded me of Toy Story 2. I don't like the young dolls running away from home, but it was amazingly believable. Annabelle is too impulsive for my taste in heroines but she has a good heart.
Likes:
* Annabelle's green hair
* Brian Selznick's illustrations were amazing
* Doll oath
* Aunt Sarah is the coolest adult doll
Dislikes:
* Running away
* Adults discounting Annabelle and Tiffany's ideas
* Permanent Doll State
Likes:
* Annabelle's green hair
* Brian Selznick's illustrations were amazing
* Doll oath
* Aunt Sarah is the coolest adult doll
Dislikes:
* Running away
* Adults discounting Annabelle and Tiffany's ideas
* Permanent Doll State
November 11, 2015
Kelsie Bowler
Goodreads Review Practice
The Runaway Dolls-Ann M. Martin
The story takes place in America. The main characters are Mama Doll, Papa Doll, Auntie Sarah, Annabelle Doll, Nany, Boby Doll, Baby Betsy, Tiffany Funcraft, Uncle Doll, Tilly Doll, Bailey Funcraft and Grandma Katherine. The minor characters are Kate, Nora, and the Captain. Kate's family goes on a vacation for 2 weeks. The dolls are really happy that they can move around all they want since they won't be home. Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft are best friends. They decided to go and walk around the house since the captain is put up. Will something go right or wrong.
The characters in the book do not seem believable because dolls can not come to life and move around and talk. They live a doll house and we live in a real big house. They are not real in life but in books they are.
Annabelle Doll in my mind looks like a small China doll that is very fragile and old. She is probably wearing a dress that is a old fashion type. Also the dolls that the head, feet and arms are glass and the body is a bag of like beads.
“Are they in doll state? Or even Permanent. Don't even say that.” That is with Annabelle and her friends. It tells us that they are scared and nervous about something they probably love.
Annabelle Doll in this book is adventurous. I say that because Annabelle and her friend Tiffany runaway from their home out into the real world. That tells me about her is not to mess with her but she is still really nice and a good person.
I didn't like the book until half way because it was really boring and confusing. Then when they actually did something it got interesting. So it's about half liked and half didn't like.
I think the theme of the book is to think things through all the way before you do it. I say that this is the theme because Annabelle did not think her mistake through and bad things happened. If you want to do something wrong just think how will this turn out, or will this help me.
February 21, 2013
323 pages
fantasy
Friends forever, two dolls Tiffany Funcraft and Annabelle Doll find a package. They wonder what it's for, and more importantly what lay inside. Really the package is a hundred year old box that never got delivered to the Palmer's home. The dolls open the package with pure excitement and curiosity to find yet another doll! Matilda May, or Tilly is now Annabelle's "sister", but when the rest of the family meets Tilly, they are not so sure. Set out to prove her ways right, Tilly and Tiffany tagging along the three set of to run away, but the Palmers are on vacation. Though only the two boys, Bobby and Billy two other dolls know they are secretly tagging along for the adventure. When they travel to a toy store, things turn from bad to worse. Meeting new toys and making new friendships the dolls have quite the adventure, trying to get back to the home before the Palmer's realize they were even gone, and they end up in Permanent Dollstate.
I love this series because in real life I have always wanted for my dolls to move and talk like Annabelle and the other. In a way these books make me wonder what does happen with childrens toys when we are asleep, or out of the room! This series reminds me of the Toy Story movies how the toys move around and talk, but when I person enters their presence they freeze and don't move until the area "is safe" in their terms. In my opinion being a doll that would be able to move would be difficult emotionally and physically. One reason being that I would want to be up and moving around all day, not just when humans aren't around. Another thing is the way dolls are structured I feel that it would be exhausting to maneuver from place to place. In addition, think of the size difference between a human stairstep and a dolls. Even in the book Ann M. Martin describes Annabelle's difficulty moving around the giant space around her. Overall, this book was ok, but not my favorite.
fantasy
Friends forever, two dolls Tiffany Funcraft and Annabelle Doll find a package. They wonder what it's for, and more importantly what lay inside. Really the package is a hundred year old box that never got delivered to the Palmer's home. The dolls open the package with pure excitement and curiosity to find yet another doll! Matilda May, or Tilly is now Annabelle's "sister", but when the rest of the family meets Tilly, they are not so sure. Set out to prove her ways right, Tilly and Tiffany tagging along the three set of to run away, but the Palmers are on vacation. Though only the two boys, Bobby and Billy two other dolls know they are secretly tagging along for the adventure. When they travel to a toy store, things turn from bad to worse. Meeting new toys and making new friendships the dolls have quite the adventure, trying to get back to the home before the Palmer's realize they were even gone, and they end up in Permanent Dollstate.
I love this series because in real life I have always wanted for my dolls to move and talk like Annabelle and the other. In a way these books make me wonder what does happen with childrens toys when we are asleep, or out of the room! This series reminds me of the Toy Story movies how the toys move around and talk, but when I person enters their presence they freeze and don't move until the area "is safe" in their terms. In my opinion being a doll that would be able to move would be difficult emotionally and physically. One reason being that I would want to be up and moving around all day, not just when humans aren't around. Another thing is the way dolls are structured I feel that it would be exhausting to maneuver from place to place. In addition, think of the size difference between a human stairstep and a dolls. Even in the book Ann M. Martin describes Annabelle's difficulty moving around the giant space around her. Overall, this book was ok, but not my favorite.
May 21, 2019
This is a review of the entire Doll People series, including The Doll People, The Meanest Doll in the World, The Runaway Dolls, The Doll People Set Sail, and The Doll People's Christmas.
When my mom came to visit just before Easter, she brought us paperback copies of all of the Doll People books. I have always wanted to read them, so I decided to just preview them all at once so that I will be ready to hand them to my oldest daughter whenever I think she is ready.
The main character of the series is Annabelle Doll. She and her family belong to Kate Palmer, an eight-year-old girl who is the most recent owner of a dollhouse that has been passed down through several generations. The other members of the Doll family include Annabelle's mother and father, her brother Bobby, Nanny, baby Betsy, Uncle Doll, and, though she has been missing for 45 years, Auntie Sarah. The adults have always been very protective of Annabelle, owing in part to their fear of breaking the oath all dolls take if they want to remain living. Part of the oath is to avoid behavior that threatens dollkind, such as being seen moving around by humans, and the penalty for putting other dolls in danger in this way can be as mild as "Doll State," a 24-hour coma-like state in which the doll is only a doll and not a living being, and as severe as "Permanent Doll State," when the doll becomes inanimate forever. When Annabelle finds Auntie Sarah's diary, however, she begins gathering clues as to where her aunt may have gone. Despite the dangers, Annabelle convinces her family that she must venture out into the Palmers' house to find her aunt and bring her back home.
On the night she leaves her dollhouse for the first time, Annabelle comes upon a box containing a present for Kate's younger sister Nora to receive on her upcoming fifth birthday. The package contains a Funcraft dollhouse and a family of brand-new, durable, plastic dolls: Mom, Dad, Bailey, Baby Britney, and Tiffany, with whom Annabelle becomes fast friends. With Tiffany by her side, and buoyed by the Funcrafts' less cautious outlook on life, Annabelle is certain she can find her long-lost aunt and bring their family back together again. This quest comprises the plot for book one, The Doll People (2000).
The Doll People is really well-done. The story is similar to tales like Hitty: Her First Hundred Years and The Borrowers, but the authors also add new twists to the concept to make it their own. I love all the descriptions of the ridiculous games Nora plays with all the dolls, including the fragile ones that belong to her sister, as well as the fun little details, such as the fact that Baby Betsy was sent to the original owner of the dollhouse by mistake, and that she is actually a much larger doll from a different set. Martin and Godwin understand what appeals to the imaginations of little girls who love dolls, and they tell a great story using those elements.
Brian Selzick's illustrations, which I don't always like, are perfect for a book like this. His cinematic changes in perspective, and the immersive quality of his pictures really place the reader in the doll world and keep her there for the duration of the story. He does an especially great job capturing the differences in appearance and personality between the Dolls and the Funcrafts.
Book two, The Meanest Doll in the World (2003), sends Annabelle and Tiffany to school in Kate's backpack. When they climb out to explore the school and inadvertently go home in the wrong backpack at the end of the day, they find themselves in a house full of dolls who live in fear of Princess Mimi, a bully who constantly puts them all in danger by intentionally doing things that can't be undone before the humans discover them. Before they return to the Palmers', Annabelle and Tiffany want to save their new friends from Mean Mimi once and for all.
In book three, The Runaway Dolls (2008), the Palmers are getting ready to go on vacation when a mysterious package arrives. Annabelle discovers that it contains a baby named Tilly May - the baby doll that was originally supposed to come with the Dolls has finally been delivered after all these years! Annabelle is overjoyed to have another sister, but also very nervous. What if the Palmers don't realize what's in the package and return it unopened? Unwilling to take that chance, she and Tiffany carefully open the package, release Tilly May, and take off into the great outdoors. Unfortunately, they don't have much of a plan, and before they know it, all three girls, along with their brothers, are placed for sale in a department store from which no doll has ever escaped!
The conclusion of the series, The Doll People Set Sail (2014), is illustrated by Brett Helquist, and sadly, though he tries to uphold the style established by Selznick, the charm just isn't there. The story, which is about the Dolls and Funcrafts accidentally being donated to charity and shipped overseas, is not as strong as the others to begin with, and the loss of Selznick as the illustrator just contributes to the feeling that maybe this series went on just one book too long. I will have no objection to my kids reading it (I gave it three stars), but it kind of a let-down to end the series on a low note.
There is also a picture book companion to the series, The Doll People's Christmas (2016), also illustrated by Helquist. The illustrations are in color, which makes them work a little bit better than Helquist's black and white ones, but the story is bland compared to the plots of the novels. I'll probably bring it out as a novelty at Christmastime sometime after we have read the rest of the series.
My oldest daughter who loves dolls and adventure stories is definitely going to love these books. She will not understand some references (the dolls sing "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, which she has never heard, and a couple of the books mention Barbies, which she has played with but has never heard called by their brand name) but the themes of friendship and family will appeal to her, and since there are always consequences for bad behavior, I feel like the series will uphold the values we are currently trying to teach her. I haven't decided yet whether to read the first one aloud to my two older girls or to just hand it over to the oldest for independent reading, but we will definitely be getting to these soon! They are great additions to our shelves, and I'm happy to have them.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
When my mom came to visit just before Easter, she brought us paperback copies of all of the Doll People books. I have always wanted to read them, so I decided to just preview them all at once so that I will be ready to hand them to my oldest daughter whenever I think she is ready.
The main character of the series is Annabelle Doll. She and her family belong to Kate Palmer, an eight-year-old girl who is the most recent owner of a dollhouse that has been passed down through several generations. The other members of the Doll family include Annabelle's mother and father, her brother Bobby, Nanny, baby Betsy, Uncle Doll, and, though she has been missing for 45 years, Auntie Sarah. The adults have always been very protective of Annabelle, owing in part to their fear of breaking the oath all dolls take if they want to remain living. Part of the oath is to avoid behavior that threatens dollkind, such as being seen moving around by humans, and the penalty for putting other dolls in danger in this way can be as mild as "Doll State," a 24-hour coma-like state in which the doll is only a doll and not a living being, and as severe as "Permanent Doll State," when the doll becomes inanimate forever. When Annabelle finds Auntie Sarah's diary, however, she begins gathering clues as to where her aunt may have gone. Despite the dangers, Annabelle convinces her family that she must venture out into the Palmers' house to find her aunt and bring her back home.
On the night she leaves her dollhouse for the first time, Annabelle comes upon a box containing a present for Kate's younger sister Nora to receive on her upcoming fifth birthday. The package contains a Funcraft dollhouse and a family of brand-new, durable, plastic dolls: Mom, Dad, Bailey, Baby Britney, and Tiffany, with whom Annabelle becomes fast friends. With Tiffany by her side, and buoyed by the Funcrafts' less cautious outlook on life, Annabelle is certain she can find her long-lost aunt and bring their family back together again. This quest comprises the plot for book one, The Doll People (2000).
The Doll People is really well-done. The story is similar to tales like Hitty: Her First Hundred Years and The Borrowers, but the authors also add new twists to the concept to make it their own. I love all the descriptions of the ridiculous games Nora plays with all the dolls, including the fragile ones that belong to her sister, as well as the fun little details, such as the fact that Baby Betsy was sent to the original owner of the dollhouse by mistake, and that she is actually a much larger doll from a different set. Martin and Godwin understand what appeals to the imaginations of little girls who love dolls, and they tell a great story using those elements.
Brian Selzick's illustrations, which I don't always like, are perfect for a book like this. His cinematic changes in perspective, and the immersive quality of his pictures really place the reader in the doll world and keep her there for the duration of the story. He does an especially great job capturing the differences in appearance and personality between the Dolls and the Funcrafts.
Book two, The Meanest Doll in the World (2003), sends Annabelle and Tiffany to school in Kate's backpack. When they climb out to explore the school and inadvertently go home in the wrong backpack at the end of the day, they find themselves in a house full of dolls who live in fear of Princess Mimi, a bully who constantly puts them all in danger by intentionally doing things that can't be undone before the humans discover them. Before they return to the Palmers', Annabelle and Tiffany want to save their new friends from Mean Mimi once and for all.
In book three, The Runaway Dolls (2008), the Palmers are getting ready to go on vacation when a mysterious package arrives. Annabelle discovers that it contains a baby named Tilly May - the baby doll that was originally supposed to come with the Dolls has finally been delivered after all these years! Annabelle is overjoyed to have another sister, but also very nervous. What if the Palmers don't realize what's in the package and return it unopened? Unwilling to take that chance, she and Tiffany carefully open the package, release Tilly May, and take off into the great outdoors. Unfortunately, they don't have much of a plan, and before they know it, all three girls, along with their brothers, are placed for sale in a department store from which no doll has ever escaped!
The conclusion of the series, The Doll People Set Sail (2014), is illustrated by Brett Helquist, and sadly, though he tries to uphold the style established by Selznick, the charm just isn't there. The story, which is about the Dolls and Funcrafts accidentally being donated to charity and shipped overseas, is not as strong as the others to begin with, and the loss of Selznick as the illustrator just contributes to the feeling that maybe this series went on just one book too long. I will have no objection to my kids reading it (I gave it three stars), but it kind of a let-down to end the series on a low note.
There is also a picture book companion to the series, The Doll People's Christmas (2016), also illustrated by Helquist. The illustrations are in color, which makes them work a little bit better than Helquist's black and white ones, but the story is bland compared to the plots of the novels. I'll probably bring it out as a novelty at Christmastime sometime after we have read the rest of the series.
My oldest daughter who loves dolls and adventure stories is definitely going to love these books. She will not understand some references (the dolls sing "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, which she has never heard, and a couple of the books mention Barbies, which she has played with but has never heard called by their brand name) but the themes of friendship and family will appeal to her, and since there are always consequences for bad behavior, I feel like the series will uphold the values we are currently trying to teach her. I haven't decided yet whether to read the first one aloud to my two older girls or to just hand it over to the oldest for independent reading, but we will definitely be getting to these soon! They are great additions to our shelves, and I'm happy to have them.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
February 14, 2015
Boo! The trilogy is over.
I enjoyed it through the last page. Last book's adventure to the schoolhouse pales in comparison to the dangers the dolls face lost in the woods and captured in a department store. Just like the last volume, entering the doll perspective is fun. What do dolls do when their owners go on vacation for two weeks? What would it be like in a toy store after hours, when all the dolls can come alive? You'll have to read to find out Martin and Godwin's conjectures!
In this volume, we see Mean Mimi (briefly) again. We also see how the Doll Family's family is rounded out to its completeness, which allows Annabelle to show a bit of her gutsy side. Of course, new friends are introduced. Friends that aren't quite perfect, but that we still love.
Thanks again to Selznick's brilliant illustrations. Among my favorites: the doll hospital, re-writing the work order, Angelica's new look, the dolls narrowly escaping the stroller and pigeon, the dolls hiding in the canvas bag, Annabelle and the raccoon and anything with Mean Mimi. (Sorry, I had a lot a faves!)
So, sad the series is done!
I enjoyed it through the last page. Last book's adventure to the schoolhouse pales in comparison to the dangers the dolls face lost in the woods and captured in a department store. Just like the last volume, entering the doll perspective is fun. What do dolls do when their owners go on vacation for two weeks? What would it be like in a toy store after hours, when all the dolls can come alive? You'll have to read to find out Martin and Godwin's conjectures!
In this volume, we see Mean Mimi (briefly) again. We also see how the Doll Family's family is rounded out to its completeness, which allows Annabelle to show a bit of her gutsy side. Of course, new friends are introduced. Friends that aren't quite perfect, but that we still love.
Thanks again to Selznick's brilliant illustrations. Among my favorites: the doll hospital, re-writing the work order, Angelica's new look, the dolls narrowly escaping the stroller and pigeon, the dolls hiding in the canvas bag, Annabelle and the raccoon and anything with Mean Mimi. (Sorry, I had a lot a faves!)
So, sad the series is done!
September 19, 2009
Brian Selznick opens this books with the same kind of storytelling pictures used in Hugo Cabret. The reader sees a package lost 100 years ago in a doll factory found. The package arrives at the Palmer's home, but sits unopened because it isn't addressed to the Palmers and the family is leaving on vacation. Annabelle Doll and her friend Tiffany are intrigued and decide to investigate the strange package. When Annabelle hears a tiny voice inside, she knows she has to release the doll inside. Annabelle recognizes the baby when she toddles out--she must be her baby sister. But when the Doll family reminds Annabelle that it would be impossible for them to let baby Matilda May become a part of their family and not return her to the box, Annabelle and Tiffany make a regrettable decision. They run away taking baby Tilly with them. Unknown to them, their brothers have followed them and soon all of the dolls are plunged into the adventures of the runaway dolls.
This is the third book about Annabelle and the Doll family, but the book can stand alone.
This is the third book about Annabelle and the Doll family, but the book can stand alone.
November 5, 2009
Except for a brief moment of doll feminism (wait a second, girl dolls can do anything boy dolls can do!) this story follows very closely in the steps of traditional doll stories. Love them or hate them, doll stories are here to stay.
Personally, I love them. What's creepier and more fascinating than the thought of your dolls coming alive when you're not there and acting like real little people? What better way to introduce colonialism to children? The ruling elite deny the "savages" agency, adults deny children agency and children deny dolls agency. Round and round.
Oh wait, you mean you have NO interest in my grad school paper on agency and the uncanny in doll stories? You just want a book review? In that case... This is a sweet, safe adventure story perfect for third grade read alouds or 4th grade read to selfs. Treks through the woods (think Honey, I Shrunk the Kids), sleepover parties in the toy section of a department store (think Toy Story 2), and a happy ending to boot.
Personally, I love them. What's creepier and more fascinating than the thought of your dolls coming alive when you're not there and acting like real little people? What better way to introduce colonialism to children? The ruling elite deny the "savages" agency, adults deny children agency and children deny dolls agency. Round and round.
Oh wait, you mean you have NO interest in my grad school paper on agency and the uncanny in doll stories? You just want a book review? In that case... This is a sweet, safe adventure story perfect for third grade read alouds or 4th grade read to selfs. Treks through the woods (think Honey, I Shrunk the Kids), sleepover parties in the toy section of a department store (think Toy Story 2), and a happy ending to boot.
September 24, 2015
The Runaway Dolls by Ann M. Martin was an okay book. Annabelle Doll, Tiffany Funcraft, and her friends are living dolls that can't be seen moving by human beings. If they were they'd be put into a thing called doll state, which would make the doll in this state unable to move for a certain amount of time, or even forever. The situation that they were put into made the book somewhat stressful because of how they got out of things, and how easy it was. But the author made a great job putting the dolls into character, such as making them act in their own age. Making the dolls think about childish things, or making the younger ones more innocent, but at the same time make them hold their own responsibilities. Overall it had it's up and downs through out book, making you look forward for what's going to happen next in the book.
August 19, 2016
Why this children's book survived SEVERAL purges over the last few years is beyond me. I think it's because it is illustrated by the great Brian Selznick, who won the 2008 Caldecott Medal for 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret', a book I bought in 2011 at Shakespeare and Company in Paris.
Little did I know this book was actually the third in a series. The dust jacket is missing, so I had no way of knowing what the story was about before I began. It's basically 'Toy Story'. A quick read with fantastic illustrations.
Little did I know this book was actually the third in a series. The dust jacket is missing, so I had no way of knowing what the story was about before I began. It's basically 'Toy Story'. A quick read with fantastic illustrations.
December 21, 2011
The dolls strike again(a third time)! This time they are running away from home with their new doll friend Matilda May (Tilly May)who is only three years old and was stuck in a box her whole like listening to tapes and the radio while stuck behind a bookshelf. She knows nothing about the life Annabelle and Tiffany live inside and out of their doll house. Will they ever get home?
January 12, 2010
I like these books, have read them all. The concept of dolls coming to life when humans are not around, and the consequences of being seen/caught - very creative and ingenius and what wonderful illustrations! Highly recomended.
July 1, 2019
Listened to the audio book with Emma and Will. I enjoyed this one more than #2 in the series, and thought it was a great sequel to the first book. Fun characters, silly situations, and the author pulls off the "living doll" scenarios well.
July 27, 2016
I thought this was a bit long in places, but the illustrations are great, and the character of Tilly added some humor. Overall, enjoyable. We listened to some of the audiobook, as well.
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