Phyllis McGinley (1905–1978)

Dulcy is a sweet little girl, with a loving family and plenty of friends.She has one immature flaw, though - she is never satisfied with things the way they are. Dulcy collects dolls, and she has a great assortment, including a ballerina, a set of twins, and a bridal doll. She has favorites, and loves playing with her dolls, but she can't help wishing that each doll was a little better. If only that one had blond hair, or that one a slip that matched her veil. One day, her friend Mrs. show more Primrose gives her another doll as a gift. Dulcy likes Angela, even if she wishes her hair was a different color. She puts Angela and her box of clothes down when she sees her gardener raking leaves on the lawn, and gets so caught up in the fun of leaf burning that she forgets all about Angela.

When Dulcy remembers, later that night, Angela and her box of clothes are nowhere to be found. Her mother and the gardener help her search everywhere, but the doll has disappeared. Dulcy is distraught. Her mother consoles her with the promise of a new doll, but Dulcy claims that no doll could be as wonderful as Angela. Her eyes opened and closed, she had her own wardrobe, and she could speak. Dulcy really thinks she remembers all these features, although a careful reader will know Angela wasn't quite so talented.

Dulcy can't help lamenting her lost doll to everyone. As she describes the wonders of Angela, the list continues to grow and grow. Anytime someone says their doll has something Angela didn't, Dulcy suddenly remembered that Angela had something like it, only better. Her constant complaints mixed with bragging drive others away, and poisons Dulcy against her other dolls, which she locks up in the cupboard. One day, Dulcy is playing with a new girl outside, one who isn't fed up with her Angela stories. Together, they discover two old boxes, containing a doll and wardrobe, very soiled and neglected. Dulcy recognizes Angela, and also realizes that Angela is quite different from her stories. Dulcy runs home in tears. Her mother comforts Dulcy in her disappointment; Dulcy explains to her mom that she really did think Angela was as wonderful as she imagined, and her mom teaches Dulcy that we can hold special dreams that are perfect, as long as we also are happy with the reality that we have.

The story is a quick read, with a charming story and good moral. Dulcy comes away from her experience with more appreciation and satisfaction in life, and is able to repair broken friendships. She also begins to play with all her dolls again. The message is simple and innocent, but I found that refreshing. The book was published in the fifties, when children's fiction was restricted to a more didactic style, but this story manages to be entertaining within those limitations. The illustrations are charming if old-fashioned, and excellently complement the narrative. In fact, this is a Caldecott Honor book. The theme of the book is still valid today, and the story will be a short but fun read for kids. show less

"When blithe to argument I come,
Though armed with facts, and merry,
May Providence protect me from
The fool as adversary,
Whose mind to him a kingdom is
Where reason lacks dominion,
Who calls conviction prejudice
And prejudice opinion." [139]

Auden wrote the Foreword, comparing McGinley's rhymes to Hood, Praed, Calverly, Belloc, and Chesterton. He compares her feminine imagination with that of the males:

"In theological terms, one might say that all men, left to themselves, become gnostics. They may show more swagger like peacocks, but in their heart of hearts they all think sex an indignity and wish they could beget themselves on themselves. Hence the aggressive hostility toward women so manifest in most club-car stories." [xi] Wow. He quotes her verses on the cares of men and women.

Light verse.

"Deciding on reflection calm,
Mankind is better off with trifles:
With Band-Aid rather than the bomb,
With safety match than safety rifles.
Let the earth fall or the earth spin!
A brave new world might well begin
With no invention
Worth the mention
Save paper towels and aspirin." show less

By famous author/poet Phyllis McGinley, this quaint children's tale told alternating in poem and story.
Mrs. Claus is known for influencing the Mr. and giving him his good ideas, but this year she has thought of a radical idea. It makes Santa so angry he goes to sleep for a nap Christmas Eve, telling no one to wake him-- he will do it himself. The hour has come for Santa to begin his delivery ride, but cannot be roused. So, Mrs. Claus decides to make the trip herself, implementing her new show more idea. She dresses up like Santa and delivers "skis for the bookworms, books to read on rainy Sundays for the Baseball Breed; For girls who had nothing but dolls on hand, nice red dump-trucks for dumping sand; Nice soft Pandas, huggable and fat for little boys waiting for a cowboy hat; useless presents, extravagant and funny for children with never a cent of money; practical presents for those more rich; for studious fellows, balls to pitch; ribbons for tomboys, jacks for their brothers....." and the change from the expected gifts delights the children that Santa is even more endeared to them. We loved the book show less

Less appeal nowadays, I suppose, because it's so earnest as to be almost didactic, and of course because we don't say that people are 'plain' much less 'homely' or 'ugly' any more. And I prefer Andersen's [b:The Swineherd|377530|The Swineherd|Hans Christian Andersen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1174298975l/377530._SX50_.jpg|367366] myself.

But it's still a nice story, with an important message (all too relevant as now too many parents do spoil our show more children), and delightful illustrations. Try your university library. show less