Isla loves looking through her mum’s treasures. There are shoes and hats and scarves. Letters, bags and beads. But the most special of all is a
blue tin decorated with flowers.
Inside this tin are three small dolls. One has her own hat and matching dress, and a bag too. One holds a bird in her hands and in her hair. The last doll has long tresses, and wears a tie and pants.
When Isla is feeling down, the dolls always make her feel better. She’s been trying to achieve something but falls short each time she tries. It’s time for the flowery tin.
Isla’s mum begins to describe the person each doll represents. Three grandmothers.
Great great grandmother Sarah, who crossed an ocean for her family.
Great grandmother Phyllis helped feed hungry soldiers.
…and Isla’s grandmother – Gaga. She wanted a job that everyone told her was only for boys. But she did it anyway.
After talking to her mum, and hearing about her courageous grandmothers, Isla knew she had to tackle her challenge again. This time she remembers her inspiring grandmothers, overcoming their own obstacles.
Can Isla do it too?
Beginning with sumptuous endpapers (Exisle Books always do) The Doll Box is illustrated in full colour. These images capture young Isla’s curiosity and imagination in the early pages.
They also portray Isla’s consternation at a challenge she can’t quite complete. Other children seem to achieve it so easily, and she’s frustrated at herself. But her mama’s dolls in a flowery blue tin always help.
These dolls are true treasures within the family. Isla learns about each one, and the reader meets Isla’s grandmothers in both sepia tones for the past, and in full colour illustrations.
This is a story of strong women achieving their dreams, stepping up to huge challenges and being strong for their families. This legacy of strength lives on in Isla. Girl power at its best.
Author – Deborah Kelly
Illustrator – Joanna Bartel
Picture Book
(2024, Girl Power, Role Models, Strong women, Family, Grandparents, Generations, Grandmothers, Nana’s, Grans, Inspiring, Courage, Brave, Getting things done, Dreams)