The Runaway Dolls

The girls "hi-fived" each other when they saw that this book had 50 more pages than the last. What a great book!! The series has been instrumental in getting my daughter excited about reading. The only downfall is that this is the last in the trilogy.

This third book in the Living Doll People series brings a new doll to the house. Matilda May comes in a mysterious package from London, and Annabelle Doll is sure Tilly must be her long lost baby sister. To keep the package from being sent back, Annabelle and her best friend, Tiffany Funcraft, take Tilly and run away. The world told from the point of view of dolls can be a very scary place, and the dolls need to figure out just if they can go home again. Slightly younger than most young adult books, "The Runaway Dolls" is more an introductory chapter book for first to fourth graders. Selznick's illustrations abound in the book, providing depth and texture to the doll's world.

This third book in the series begins with a wonderful premise. A very very old package is found in an old toy store, and an honest person mails the Victorian package as it was addressed. As a result, the baby doll which has been missing for more than 100 years arrives to join the doll family!!! Once again, the children in the two doll families (one family of antique Victorian dolls and one equally special family of plastic "Funcraft" dolls) show courage and spirit, taking risks that the adult dolls feel are unwise. The girls' heart-versus-head approach gets them in deep trouble, but in the end leads to a truly happy ending. Love and bravery conquer all! This gorgeously illustrated story will become a beloved family classic. Highly, highly recommended!

I was so pleased with this book, the third of the series. I had read the first book and could not find the second. I tried to hold off but it was too tempting. I bought these books for my granddaughter and was so delighted. I purchased 2 more copies for gifts.

I was not impressed with the second book as the first and was fearful for the third. I could not have been more wrong. In my opinion, it is the best of the three. The novel starts out with wonderful illustrations explaining what happened to the "real" sister of Annabelle Doll. The package makes its way back to the Palmer's where adventure ensues. In order to keep Tilly May safe Annabelle runs away with her friend Tiffany. The adventures that follow capture what it would like to be a doll in a very big world. If you have read the first two The Runaway Dolls is a must read!