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The Cats In The Doll Shop (2011)

by Yona Zeldis McDonough(Favorite Author)

4.25 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0670012793 (ISBN13: 9780670012794)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Viking Juvenile

series

The Doll Shop

review 1: This is an adorable children's book! A perfect read-aloud or gift for any little girly girl in your life. (From age 5-10ish) The family in the book is Jewish (the author uses Hebrew words in the dialogue and talks about celebrating Passover, Chanukah, going to shul...etc. but not excessively)Apparently it's book #2, but I read it not knowing that and I was perfectly fine. I didn't feel as if I missed anything. In fact, it makes me want to find book #1. Just overall, a great book, that deals with acceptance, identity, family (sisterly) relationships, and it also touches on World War I and the conflict in Europe at that time, specifically in Russia.
review 2: The Doll Shop has continued doing a good business. Their Nurse Nora dolls are sold at F.A.O. Schwartz a... morend other toy store too. The war continues and letters from the "old country" come more frequently. Sometimes they seem happy news but not always. It seems that Tania, Anna cousin - born on the exact same day in the exact same year - is making the crossing. She is going to come and live with them. She is leaving her mother and her country behind to stay with Anna's family until her mother can save enough to join her in the new country.While waiting and planning for Tania's arrival Anna observes the continuing ife and work of the city and shop. She notices a ginger cat, fat with babies. She listens to the lilting voices and whistling of Kathleen and Michael who have joined Papa and Mama in the busier than ever doll shop. Anna also sees the cruelty of the man sweeping the ginger cat and her new babies off his fire escape to fall into the yard below. Only peachy-colored Pluckie survives, though his leg dangles helplessly behind. Now Anna must wait for Tania and watch to see what can be done for Ginger Cat and Pluckie as the girls now call the strays. While waiting there is much schoolwork to be done and much planning and work for the holiday orders that come to the shop. In a moment of free time Anna designs and makes Tania a new doll. It is a special doll. A school girl, whom Anna calls Shannon. She is designed to be a friend and Anna hopes that is what she will be, a friend while Tania learns what it is like in this new country.It is hard for poor, starving, frightened Tania when she finally arrives. It is hard for Sophie, Anna and Trudie too. Tania, though their cousin, is quiet, shy and strange. She is challenging to understand, but Anna tries. To Anna, Tania seems as afraid and sad as Pluckie. It is that sameness that brings them together and allows the family to see how change can be good, especially when it happens for the right reasons. less

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