The Dollhouse Caper

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.