The Doll People's Christmas (The Doll People)

The Doll People series of novels expands to picture books as Christmas descends on the Palmer household. The Dolls--delicate Victorian dolls who belong to Kate Palmer--and the plastic Funcrafts who live in younger sister Nora's room neatly represent the push-and-pull between tradition and change that often arises during the holidays, and that drives the action of this story. After the tiny angel that always tops the Doll family's Christmas tree is broken, it's the first of several unwelcome events that cause some holiday strife before Annabelle Doll realizes that spontaneity and new experiences can be good things. Interestingly, the dolls spend time near the (non-mobile) figurines of the Palmer family's Nativity scene, though the book doesn't delve into what the creche represents. Still, the authors' gentle storytelling and Helquist's intimate images of the dolls' miniature world create a Christmas story that's rich with emotion. Ages 3-5. (Sept.)

K-Gr 3--Victorian Annabelle Doll and her best friend, contemporary Tiffany Funcraft, appear in this Christmas picture book. Annabelle worries that the holiday is ruined because the angel that always tops the Doll Christmas tree is broken. To make matters worse, Kate and Nora dress up the dolls like sheep and angels and put them in the creche downstairs. There is a moment of danger involving Captain the cat, but all is well with the world by the story's end. Helquist's large, expressive illustrations perfectly capture the action, drama, and humor. VERDICT Fans of the "Doll People" chapter books will welcome seeing the familiar characters in a slight but engaging holiday story. It is sure to spark renewed interest in those popular titles.--Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies