Wander & Wonder

The Doll People
– by Ann M. Martin

When I think back to my childhood, one book clearly stands out the most: The Doll People by Ann M. Martin. Just thinking about the magical story and charming characters makes me feel so nostalgic. I wanted to share some of the reasons why this book continues to hold a special place in my heart after so many years.

Without a doubt, every good book must have an even better plot. Without giving too much of the story away, the premise of this book follows a family of porcelain dolls called none other than the Doll family. These dolls come to life when humans are not around. Their world is full of charm as they navigate their miniature lives and embark on thrilling adventures. Each character is unique yet very realistic, which makes the entire story so believable. The idea of dolls having their own secret lives really sparked my imagination as child, and if I am being honest, I think that a small part of me still believes that my stuffed animals come to life when I am not looking.

This book is written in such a fun style that is simple yet engaging for children and adults alike. I re-read the book not long ago and I cannot tell you how many times I smiled. I mean, just look at how cute the illustrations are!

And of course this book conveys important life lessons. For my ten year-old self, the ideas that I noticed were those about family, friendship, and bravery. Upon reflecting on this book as an adult, I had a different takeaway. I noticed that this book is a lot about testing the boundaries of what you “should” and “shouldn’t” do, and that doing this is actually an important part of growing up. Indeed, I think that challenging the status quo, whether only thinking about what changes could be made versus actually enacting them, largely contributes to what kind of person you become. I think the book also highlights how children often think differently than their parents, and that their more naive way of thinking is not necessarily “worse” than the more rational approach.

Bear with me for a moment because I am going to be a bit cheesy: The Doll People is really more than just a book, it’s a tale that captures the essence of childhood wonder and serves as a reminder of the magic that can be found in everyday life.

I really hope you get a chance to read this book, I cannot recommend it enough (I must have read it at least 10 times through). And great news, this is the first book of a five-book series!