Customer Reviews

Amanda Goes West: A Journal of Fashion History through Paper Dolls (Amanda Series)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

All three of these paper doll books are wonderful, they combine history and art to create an interactive experience for the child to treasure always. I highly suggest getting two copies, one to cut out and one to treasure forever :)

I think this book is great. It illustates pioneering in a unique way. History buffs of all ages will enjoy it.

These are lovely dolls, beautifully drawn, and with a nice little story to go with them. The dresses are adorable and there is a very nice variety of work and good clothing, and accessories.

I need to find some research to do myself. I understand that the further West one went, the more clothing styles lagged behind the fashion-plate ideal, and that Amanda's home state of Tennessee was pretty far west in 1838, but I'm a little skeptical of her starting her trip in what is essentially a Colonial-style short-gown and skirt. I know that Eighteenth century style clothing was worn into the early 19th century, especially by the working classes, older individuals, and "Westerners" (by the definition of the time), but 1838 is not exactly early 19th century, and Amanda's family seems to have been relatively comfortable financially, if the quality and quantity of other clothing provided for her is an indicator. Her other dresses are solidly late-1830's, so apparently somebody had access to examples of current modes of dress. I would have expected her clothing to look more like, say, the 1820's, not the late 1700's.

(Okay, yes, it's a children's book, but it clearly intended to be more informative than the average paper-doll book.)

I am a paper doll fanatic! I have 562 paper dolls already cut, about the same amount left to cut out, and out of them all, this is my absolute FAVORITE!!!!