The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero - ADVISABLE

Romero, R.M. The Dollmaker of Krakow, 316 pages.  Delacorte (Random), 2017.  $17.  Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Holocaust references)

The King and Queen of the Land of the Living Dolls have been overthrown and overrun by giant rats.  In response to the pleas of one of the dols Karolina, the Dogoda, a strange wind sprite, takes her away to Krakow Poland, where she has been fashioned a new, yet familiar body by a lonely dollmaker.  He lives a quiet life, but is befriended by Jewish violinist and his daughter, who also share Karolina’s secret.  When the Nazis roll into Krakow, everyone’s lives are in danger, especially when a Nazi magician notices Karolina and the Dollmaker’s magic. 

There is much more I could tell you, but I won’t.  I bet you want to know more about the rats, for example.  This is the kind of book that mother’s or grandmother’s would love to read aloud to their children.  While it does have Holocaust scenes in it, I think they work well even for an elementary audience.  Much sweetness, some scary, a little bit of magic, and people doing hard things.

EL, MS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher