Naomi Lewis (1911–2009)

A more complete anthology, from which the stories in [b:Rocking Horse Land and Other Classic Tales of Dolls and Toys|992879|Rocking Horse Land and Other Classic Tales of Dolls and Toys|Naomi Lewis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1180052663l/992879._SX50_.jpg|978374] (aka [b:Rocking Horse Land|751344|Rocking Horse Land|Angela Barrett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408926815l/751344._SX50_.jpg|737477]) were show more collected, apparently.
........
Short... if that other book is less than this, it's quite trivial. Also old: 1979.

I also see that there are important distinctions among sub-genres. There are at least three different categories that are different enough that a reader may have a strong preference for one or two types over the others (though naturally there is also overlap, and a good story is likely to be taggable with more than one category).

1. Doll stories told from the pov of the child. Tend to be more sweet, and about friendship, loneliness, growing up. What does a doll mean to a child? In the last couple of Indian in the Cupboard stories, this was the theme... which of course is entirely disrespectful to the displaced "Indian" himself, as he's *not* a doll, hence the controversy.

2. Doll stories told from the pov of the doll. Tend to be more adventurous, like [b:Hitty, Her First Hundred Years|41457|Hitty, Her First Hundred Years|Rachel Field|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388357465l/41457._SY75_.jpg|2537463] or the Toy Story movies.

3. Dollhouse stories. Much of the popularity of [b:The Littles|563887|The Littles|John Lawrence Peterson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1360058166l/563887._SX50_.jpg|1426160] and [b:The Borrowers|348573|The Borrowers (The Borrowers, #1)|Mary Norton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1308945559l/348573._SX50_.jpg|802336] is due to their delightful eensy-weensy homes, furniture, etc. Again one could certainly argue that these stories, when about real-live beings, are also disrespectful, but if you read Banks' and Nortons' together you can see the difference.

There is a decent bibliography in this book, and more titles are mentioned in the introduction, too. But I need to check out Listopia and maybe compile some lists myself, or start a topic on this in the Children's Book group.

I want to read more myself, first, though, so I will list titles that interest me in the comments section below.

To the point of reviewing this book itself. The illustrations are ugly and seem very amateur. The selections are very miscellaneous (which is a strength imo). There is enough of both entertainment and insight here to appeal to children and to scholars. Recommended to those interested. show less

Note that many of these stories are available in other collections or as stand-alone picture-books. Most notably in [b:The Silent Playmate: A Collection of Doll Stories|374905|The Silent Playmate A Collection of Doll Stories|Naomi Lewis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1174269735s/374905.jpg|26614338]. Barrett's art is nice, especially the silhouettes, but imo not worth tracking down this particular book for.

My favorite story is probaby the title one, so poignant. And I def. want to read show more [b:Memoirs of a London Doll|3975041|Memoirs of a London Doll|Richard Henry Horne|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|4020803] (aka [b:Memoirs of a London Doll: Written by Himself|26306232|Memoirs of a London Doll Written by Himself (Classic Reprint)|Mrs Fairstar|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442823971s/26306232.jpg|46305512]... but shouldn't that be 'her'self?) and more by [a:Ruth Ainsworth|46202|Ruth Ainsworth|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (apparently more of Rag Bag's adventures are not avl.). The Town in the Library is rather odd but fans of Nesbit should look it up. And the other tales are familiar to me (though if they're not to you, I do recommend them).

Rating depends on how much you, personally, like Barrett's art, and how much you want to read a collection of doll stories, and how many you know. I didn't find this book necessary, but you might adore it.

Btw, I opine Andersen's lovely little romance doesn't even belong here, because this is about actual beloved playmates. But Lewis is an Andersen-phile, so she chose to include it, and I can't really say I blame her. show less

good stories, good illustrations