The Doll Shop Downstairs by Yona Zeldis McDonough

McDonough, Yona Zeldis The Doll Shop Downstairs, 118 p. Viking (Penguin), 2009. $14.99. Content: G. Anna, 9, is the middle of three little girls, who live with their parents in NYC near the turn of the 19^th century. Their father owns a doll hospital and the girls have each adopted a “patient” who has never been claimed by the owner. When WWI darkens their door, the family must be creative, because the parts for the dolls come from Germany and they are impossible to get. The girls cleverly decide that the family can make their own dolls – and an industry is born. McDonough does a great job of giving this book just the right feel for its audience – little doll crazy girls. While there is nothing deep here, it is a sweet story. EL –OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher