Review by New York Times Review
YOUNG children like to believe that their toys come alive, have escapades and otherwise fool around when no one is looking. And in the pantheon of living toys, the Doll and Funcraft families of Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin's admired Doll People series reign supreme. In the third book, "The Runaway Dolls," Brian Selznick - who won the Caldecott Medal last year for "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" - presents a visual narrative that begins with a mysterious prologue: a long-lost package from a London toy maker is discovered 100 years later and sent on its way to a Connecticut address. In a neat detail of book design, readers will see that under the dust jacket, the book itself appears to be the self-same package. The 100-year-old bundle arrives just after the Palmers, who own both the Doll and Funcraft doll families, have left on a two-week vacation. Thus, best friends Tiffany Funcraft and Annabelle Doll are free to solve the mystery of the old parcel, which is not addressed to anyone currently living at the Palmer house. Almost immediately, a teensy doll-size voice, belonging to 3-year-old Tilly, can be heard from inside the package. It is Annabelle's unshakable conviction that the doll sealed inside the box is none other than her lost baby sister, who should have been delivered 100 years ago. Annabelle is determined to let Tilly out of the box. Herein lies a big problem. All living dolls have taken an oath never to let their animate existence be discovered or risk the dreaded Permanent Doll State, never to be a living doll again. Any reader can see that would be no fun. Accordingly, if the Palmers come home and discover any evidence that the dolls are alive (i.e., a new doll added to the dollhouse family) all dollkind will be in jeopardy. When forbidden by Mama and Papa Doll to free Tilly, Annabelle and Tiffany daringly open the package and run away with her. Their capers include a terrifying and malodorous night in the woods inside a garbage bag, a perilous trek through downtown and a stay in a store's toy department where they (and readers) are introduced to a new and vivid cast of dolls. (These include an athletic Gumby-like doll who is proud that a portion of her proceeds will go to fight world hunger.) Soon the dolls realize that the only way out of the store is in a stranger's shopping bag. As in previous books in the series, it is Annabelle's brains and Tiffany's adventurous spirit that make it possible for them to find their way safely home. Many pleasures await young readers (and their parents) in "The Runaway Dolls," not least of which is the expected delight of Selznick's humorous illustrations - like the wordless interlude, lasting several pages, as the dolls take 20 minutes to cross a stream on a log. And there is a cameo appearance by the Meanest Doll in the World (from Book 2), who materializes in Annabelle's worst nightmare. It's not essential to read the first two books to read and love the third (and arguably the best). Still, why not read them all, while keeping a watchful eye on your own toys. Kate McClelland is a youth services librarian at Perrot Memorial Library in Old Greenwich, Conn.
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [October 27, 2009]
Review by Booklist Review
Annabelle Doll is thrilled to discover a five-year-old sister doll, Tilly May, in the mysterious package that arrives just as her owners, the Palmers, leave on vacation. This new member of the Doll Family, though, might put Dollkind in jeopardy. Unwilling to part with her newfound sister, Annabelle runs away, taking her friend Tiffany Funcraft and Tilly May with her. This intriguing premise sets up the action in this suspenseful addition to the Doll People series. Selznick's numerous, softly-shaded pencil drawings, some extending across two pages, greatly enlarge the story. This sequel can be read on its own, but fans of the series will welcome the references to earlier adventures and the nail-biting return of Mean Mimi. Gentle humor, believable characters with distinct personalities, and a strong plotline will keep readers coming back for more.--Isaacs, Kathleen Copyright 2008 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A fantasy with one foot in reality, this third adventure for the mismatched team of antique porcelain Annabelle Doll and contemporary plastic plaything Tiffany Funcraft (previously encountered in The Doll People and The Meanest Doll in the World) has the daring duo running away from home, accompanied by Annabelle's newfound baby sister and soon joined by their brothers. Regretting their decision, not knowing the way home, they eventually land in the toy department of a large store, where they face new danger--being sold to separate owners. Obeying the Doll Code of Honor, the toys must wait until closing time to spring to life, which complicates their escape. Characters and their exploits are fresh: cowgirl Dakota Jane drives a wind-up truck; Elsipad is thrilled that proceeds from her sale "will be used to fight world hunger." The book opens with a narrative sequence of Selznick's (The Invention of Hugo Cabret) shaded b&w pencil drawings, which lure readers into the story and anticipate the first chapter, "The Mysterious Package." The lush illustrations--full bleeds as well as spot drawings and vignettes throughout --are integral expressions of the novel's spirit. Fast-paced, satisfyingly developed, the book is doubly enjoyable for its foundation in a solidly imagined doll culture. Ages 8-12. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-A mysterious package addressed to Grandma Palmer's grandfather arrives at the Palmer home while they are on vacation. Kate's doll, Annabelle, and her sister's doll, Tiffany Funcraft, deduce that the package contains the Doll family's missing baby. They open the package to find that Matilda is indeed Annabelle's lost sister. But how do they keep the family from sending her back? Since the package is not addressed to the Palmers, they might not open it, and the baby will be lost forever. Annabelle decides the only solution is to run away with her new sibling to save her from this fate. Annabelle, her brother Bobby, Tiffany, and her brother Bailey join the adventure and find themselves lost in the woods and then trapped in a toy store. The adventure takes a dangerous and mysterious turn when dolls begin to disappear from the store each night. The story opens with Selznick's 12-page illustrated, wordless prologue, and his art moves the story along throughout the book. This fun, magical entry in the series is just as engaging as the previous books.-Debra Banna, Sharon Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Fans of the first two Doll People stories will be thrilled with number three. China doll Annabelle and plastic doll Tiffany are ready for an adventure when the human Palmers leave on a two-week vacation, but when a mysterious box arrives, the dolls discover a baby doll is in inside! Annabelle is convinced it's her lost baby sister. The only solution seems to be to take Tilly and run away. Risking "Permanent Doll State" numerous times, the girl dolls and their two brother dolls wind up in a toy store with antique and robotic dolls and the hateful, mean Mimi, returning from book two. How can they overcome their size obstacles and escape in time to get home before the humans return? Selznick's charming, black-and-white scenarios make the doll personalities believable; he adds a number of full-page drawings at the beginning ( la Hugo Cabret) that build the drama, while the action leaves plenty of dollhouse room for future escapades. Hmmm, the dolls visit Dollywood? (Fantasy. 8-11) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
