By Jean S. O’Connell
Illustrated by Erik Blegvad
Copyright 1975
I think this may have been the first mystery book I ever
read. My own dollhouse was always very
busy as a setting for made-up stories, so this book would have appealed to
me. It’s a short chapter book with a lot
of action and feats of bravery and kindness, with a little humor thrown in.
(That poor father doll often spends the day with his head in the toilet as
pictured on the cover). That’s what I
remember from reading it as a child.
Rereading it now, I also find a touching story of children growing older
and leaving childish ways behind, but still keeping a child-like quality of
wonder.
Each year at Christmas time, the beloved dollhouse is taken
out of storage and put in a place of honor in the home of three young
boys. They eagerly anticipate playing in
and decorating the dollhouse for the holidays.
This Christmas, the oldest boy scoffs at the babyish toy, and the doll
family worries about the day when the boys will no longer be interested in the
dollhouse. The doll family soon has
other worries to keep them occupied.
They alone are witness to robbers who are casing the home for when the
boys go on a ski trip with their parents.
The dolls creatively and selflessly work to alert the big family and
save the home from disaster. The three
boys, while never actually seeing the dolls come alive, are aware that the tiny
family was responsible for chasing the robbers away.
In the end, the doll family is reassured of their continual
place in the big family’s lives. Their
selflessness and bravery in saving the big family’s home has also saved their
own miniature home from cobwebs and dust. The author has woven this important life
lesson into an exciting little chapter book. By working hard to secure the
happiness and safety of others, the dolls have secured their own happiness too.
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