A Doll for Marie

January 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-First published in 1957 but long out of print, this rediscovered title by the remarkable husband-and-wife creative team is available again, ready to be read by a new generation of children-and their dolls (a mini book is included). Roger Duvoisin illustrated more than 100 books, many by his wife, Louise Fatio. He won the Caldecott Medal in 1947 for White Snow, Bright Snow and a Caldecott Honor in 1966 for Hide and Seek Fog, both written by Alvin Tresselt. Louise Fatio is probably best known for her "Happy Lion" books, all illustrated by her husband. In this story, a fancy, beautifully dressed doll sits on a shelf in an antique shop in Paris, surrounded by a Persian vase and a Chinese teapot, but longs for a different fate. "'This is no way for a doll to live, ' she sighed. 'If only I had a little girl to play with.'" One girl, the mailman's daughter Marie, walks past on her way to school and regularly admires the doll, but could never afford such a pricey item. One day the doll is purchased by an old woman, but her home is not much different from the antique shop. However, once the old woman's pets get a hold of the newcomer, her fancy clothes and accessories are ruined and the doll is left in the gutter, only to be rescued by Marie and given the kind of home she's always longed for. The three-color artwork is appropriately old-fashioned, expressive, and as appealing as ever. A satisfying read for anyone who has ever had a special attachment to a toy.

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.