The Lonely Doll [Hardcover]

Dare Wright (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Once there was a little doll. Her name was Edith. She lived in a nice house and had everything she needed except someone to play with. She was lonely! Then one morning Edith looked into the garden and there stood two bears! Since it was first published in 1957, The Lonely Doll has established itself as a unique children's classic. Through innovative photography Dare Wright brings the world of dolls to life and entertains us with much more than just a story. Edith, the star of the show, is a doll from Wright's childhood, and Wright selected the bear family with the help of her brother. With simple poses and wonderful expressions, the cast of characters is vividly brought to life to tell a story of friendship.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dare Wright was born in Canada and raised in the United States. She started her career as a photographer's fashion model, then went around to the other side of the camera and became a highly successful freelance photographer. Her photographs appeared in such magazines as TOWN AND COUNTRY, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, VOGUE, and HARPER'S BAZAAR. She created several books about Edith and her friends, including the classic favorites The Lonely Doll and Edith and Mr. Bear.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (September 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395899265
• ISBN-13: 978-0395899267
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,270 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dare Wright 1914-2001 was the author of "The Lonely Doll" and many other beloved children's books. Using her childhood doll, Edith, and two teddy bears, she illustrated the stories with her black and white photographs. Her website is at www.darewright.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well who said childhood was always full of lollipop lullabies and gumdrop dreams?, May 6, 2006

By 

Christine H. "Beginner Teacher" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lonely Doll (Hardcover)

Although I now consider myself a feminist in many ways, I loved this book when I was little and don't think the book is as terrible or harmful to children as some other reviewers have said. In fact, I picked this book many times off the shelf as my bedtime story. When I was little, I thought it was saddening at some parts (Wright's pictures conveyed loneliness very well) but also funny at others (call me strange, but I laughed when Edith got spanked and when the teddy bear wrote "Mr. Bear is a silly old thing" on the mirror).

This book taps into fears that many young children experience, particularly being alone, fear of their parents leaving & never coming back (separation anxiety) and getting in trouble with parents. Some reviewers expressed concerns that the story tells girls to be needy and dependent to get what they want because Edith begs Mr. Bear to stay, telling him that she'll do whatever he wants if he does (or something to that extent). But remember, she is in a state of fear, and many people say "I'll do anything if you...," in moments of desperation. Plus, how many children love exploring "off-limits" rooms of their home as Edith and the little teddy bear do? Also, I agree that spanking is an inappropriate way to discipline, but many children are spanked every day and therefore can relate (I was spanked when I was a child too). Additionally, the photographs are vivid, clear and definitely draw readers into the story. When I was a young child, I thought the doll really was alive.

If you want a story with unusual-yet-beautiful pictures and a little extra "oomph" than some other children's books, I recommend it. And if you really are concerned about whatever Freudian messages might be in the book, you can always talk about the story after reading to your children.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take it for what it is, December 7, 2006

By 

Edie from Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lonely Doll (Hardcover)

Honestly, I have read all of the criticisms of this wonderful book with astonishment!

I was one of the many lucky kids who discovered these books about the doll with my favorite name (mine!) at the library. I returned them only reluctantly and of course, overdue!

To the criticisms: my parents raised me with the idea that I would be an independent and discerning kid. They encouraged me to make up my own mind about things. As a 6 year old, I recognized that this story was about a LONELY DOLL, not a well-adjusted, independent PC doll. She had issues and she did the best she could with them; but more than that, she turned her little doll life into something adventurous and magical. The breathtakingly imaginative and exquisitely staged black and white photographs by Dare Wright (imho, a creative genius) opened my eyes to the creative side of life in ways I am still discovering as a crusty 46 year old.

You would be doing your child a disservice to deprive him or her of these works for the sake of unattainable pc perfection by overlooking their real theme: imagination, the beauty of mystery and transformation.

I bought each of my nieces a copy.

Edie

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freudian Analyses Need Not Apply, May 26, 2006

By 

Dasguzz - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lonely Doll (Hardcover)

What a pity that such a charming, aesthetically pleasing story as The Lonely Doll has become cannon fodder for overly zealous parents who are hellbent on political correctness. Previous reviewers have noted that the author, Dare Wright, was abused as a child and that the shadows of this abuse are present in the text itself. I submit that this is a bunch of baloney. By reading a nonexistent adult subtext into this sweet, simple book, many adults are depriving their children of a great classic. I adored it as a child, and my six-year-old daughter adores it too.