THE BEST LOVED DOLL

THE BEST LOVED DOLL by Rebecca Caudill. Illustrated by Elliott Gilbert

It's time for a flashback to my childhood. When I was in 5th grade and my sister in 2nd grade my dad had a job transfer to Dayton, Ohio for 1 year. That was not an easy year for our family. I went from a small, country elementary to a city elementary, and I did not settle in well. My parents ended up pulling me out and my mom, who was an elementary teacher, ended up homeschooling me. (This was in the mid 80s) My sister did well in the new school, and so she remained there. My entire family longed to go home. However, in the middle of the struggle, there were some bright spots and interestingly, a couple of them revolved around books. The first one was we read Heidi together. My dad read it out loud to us all, and oh how we could relate to that little displaced girl. But this post isn't about Heidi. The second is a book my sister fell in love with called The Best Loved Doll by Rebecca Caudill.

The Best Loved Doll is based on a true story of the author's daughter. Betsy is invited to a friend's birthday party where she is to bring one doll. Prizes will be awarded for the oldest, best dressed, and the doll who can do the most things. Betsy has dolls that would fit each of those categories, but they aren't the ones she loves the most. Jennifer is, but Jennifer's hair is loose, only one eye closes, her toes are worn away, etc. Betsy chooses to take Jennifer with her anyway, and in the process her best loved doll is honored in a special way. This story is absolutely magical if you have ever had a doll like Jennifer.

My mother knew my sister's love for this story, and somewhere there is a photo of neighborhood kids each holding their own precious doll or stuffed animal at my sister's birthday party. Each doll and animal is wearing a homemade ribbon that honors them in some way.

Now meet Katie, one of the very loved dolls from my own childhood. She was made by my aunt and was a constant companion in my younger years. While she still has all her parts, she bears the stains of a little girl who loved her immensely-me!

So here's to all the best loved dolls and stuffed animals that we have had in our lives. If you have the chance to read this book with a younger child, do so. Grab their favorite doll or animal and cuddle up. Don't forget to share your own memories in the process!