Betty Doll

by Patricia Polacco

Book Overview

The author shares the true story of her mother, Mary Ellen, and Mary Ellen's favorite doll, Betty Doll. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399236384
• ISBN13: 9780399236389
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Polacco tells another marvelous family story

Patricia Polacco has, once again, gone to her family for a story around which to hang her usual marvelous illustrations. "Betty Doll" doesn't disappoint. Polacco opens the book by telling the reader about her mother dying and about packing up her belongings and then finally going through them a year later. In some of the boxes Polacco packed up, she finds her mother's old, handmade cloth doll. Wrapped around it is the letter her mother wrote while dying of cancer.Now before you decide that this is NOT a book for children, you should know that the book overall has a joyous, shimmering quality. The story concentrates on Betty Doll's travels and adventures, with Polacco deftly portraying Betty Doll in color while all else is in handsome but quiet black-and-white tones. This brings Betty's story to the fore visually, but as far as the story itself goes, she serves as a backdrop for different generations of Polacco's family.The story is true, and it rings true. A little girl's love of her doll and the happiness she finds while playing with the doll come to the fore, as does the stability of Betty Doll throughout the changes of the little girl's life as she grows up, marries, and so on. This is a fine way to gently ease into discussing the cancer of a family member with any young child, but it is also an absorbing tale in its own right and stands ably on its own, aided by Polacco's usual impeccable illustrations.

More than a picture book

As with many of Patricia's books, her stories touch the hearts of adults as well as children. I believe that this book, along with Pink and Say and others, is more of an intermediate to adult level book but is often marketed for young children because it is a picture book. Children could certainly grow up hearing this story and having it develop new meaning as they have their own life experiences. Betty Doll would make a wonderful gift to celebrate the love between mothers and daughters. I gave this book to my nine year old and she understood and enjoyed it very much. I think it will gain new meaning for her as she grows up. Remember, we are never too old for picture books, especially Patrica Polacco stories.

A STORY WOVEN OF MEMORIES AND LOVE

Prepare to shed a few tears and be uplifted by this touching story of family love. Patricia Polacco bases her reminiscence on a letter her mother, Mary Ellen, wrote shortly before her death and a cloth hand sewn doll, Betty Doll. When Mary Ellen was a child of six, her farmhouse home was destroyed by fire. The blaze also took her five dolls. Seeing how forlorn the little girl was, her mother suggested they make a new doll, which they did. Mary Ellen stitched the doll together, and embroidered its face. Soon, Mary Ellen and Betty Doll were inseparable. They snuggled in bed together during Michigan thunderstorms, attended school, and had imaginative tea parties. The pair even visited relatives in Chicago, where both were clothed in pale blue crepe de chine. As time went on Betty Doll watched Marry Ellen become an adult, eventually marry, and have children of her own. Daughter Trisha (Patricia Polacco) played with the doll herself. As Mary Ellen's grandchildren arrived, Betty Doll "kissed away tears, soothed hurt knees, and was a guest at hundreds of tea parties and slumber nights." Illustrated in muted grays with Betty Doll the only bright spot on a page, this story is a reminder of the enduring bonds woven of memories and love.

A Very Touching Book

This is the first book by Patricia Polacco I have read. It was recommended to me because it is about a cloth doll made by the author's mother and I am a cloth dollmaker. The story is very touching and speaks about the love of mother and daughter with the cloth doll, "Betty Doll", being the thread to hold the story together. Patricia Polacco illustrates her own books and does a beautiful job. Her words are very simple, but very moving. This book is appropriate for all ages. But---let me warn you---it is a tear jerker for adults! Susan Daniel, Dallas

Beautiful and Touching

Mrs. Polacco has done it again. Her stories continue to touch me. Her willingness to share such a personal story of her heartbreak at losing her mother and the importance of this doll to both her mother and herself was deeply moving. I brought it to school to share with my colleagues and class. This is an outstanding piece of literature.