Review by Booklist Review
In this fourth title of the well-loved series, cautious Annabelle Doll embarks on her biggest adventure yet when a box destined for temporary storage in the Palmer family attic is instead sent across the ocean to a foundation distributing toys to children around the world. With her best friend Tiffany Funcraft and their families, Annabelle travels to England in the hold of a cargo ship, revives the Society for Exploration and the Location of Missing Persons to bring about three difficult rescues, meets a variety of new dolls, and is nearly lost or smashed at sea herself. Surprisingly, these doll characters continue to mature; Annabelle becomes braver and Tiffany more restrained. Helquist, taking over for Brian Selznick, illustrates in keeping with Selznick's tone. (Final art not seen.) The family's return is accomplished remarkably swiftly, but the conclusion will still satisfy fans already looking forward to further adventures.--Isaacs, Kathleen Copyright 2014 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Starred Review. This much-awaited fourth installment of the Doll People series (which sees Helquist stepping in for Brian Selznick) has the antique Doll family and the contemporary Funcrafts on a nautical adventure after the box they've been packed in is mistakenly sent to a charity in England. If being separated from their owners, Kate and Nora Palmer, isn't enough of a disaster, Nanny Doll, Dad Funcraft, and his son, Bailey, fall from a hole in the carton and disappear aboard the cargo ship. Luckily, heroines Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft are experienced at finding missing persons and quickly form a rescue party, with help from fellow passenger dolls. Once again, the shared values of Doll Power, friendship, and familial love bridge the differences between the plastic, modern Funcrafts and the fragile, ancient Dolls. In this episode, however, Tiffany Funcraft is less daring than usual, while Annabelle plays the role of risk taker, using courage and quick thinking to save the day. A rousing adventure that treats fans to thrilling action (on a miniature scale) and personable new dolls to discover. Art not seen by PW. 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-The fourth installment of "The Doll People" series is an adventure on the high seas. Annabelle Doll, her best friend, Tiffany Funcraft, and the other doll people are packed away in anticipation of their human owners, Katie and Nora's, room renovation. The box labeled "attic" is mistakenly taken with the boxes intended for charity and put on a cargo ship bound for England. In the chaos of realizing what is happening, Tiffany opens a seam in the box and Bailey, Nanny, and Dad Funcraft accidently fall through the hole. Annabelle and Tiffany lead the rescue mission as the dolls go searching for their missing relatives. Along the way, they discover other living dolls who support them and become their new friends. After much adventure and excitement, Nanny, Bailey, and Dad Funcraft are found safe and sound, the box mix up is resolved, and the dolls are sent back to their home, the Palmers house in Connecticut. Sketches of the action add to the story's enjoyment and understanding. Familiarity with the other books in the series would be helpful, but is not necessary. This is a good choice for independent readers ready to try something longer.-Kefira Phillipe, Nichols Middle School, Evanston, IL (c) Copyright 2012. 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 Horn Book Review
The long-awaited fourth Doll People book is finally here, with a new illustrator, as Helquist takes over for Brian Selznick. Still in black and white, the illustrations are again abundant and amusing, with the depictions of the antique Doll family (porcelain and fragile) and the carefree Funcraft family (plastic and indestructible) hewing closely to Selznick's original creations. Annabelle Doll and best friend Tiffany Funcraft have just returned from their most recent adventure (The Runaway Dolls) when they are thrust into another dangerous situation: the doll families are packed in a box and mistakenly put on a boat headed for England. Fans will be intrigued by the switcheroo of personalities: adventure-loving Tiffany suddenly becomes terrified and timid when three of the dolls (including her dad and brother) fall out of a viewing hole she made in the box and disappear; cautious Annabelle realizes it's up to her to find the fortitude to lead the search for the missing dolls. Though it's not necessary to have read the first three entries, it's the stalwart fans who will be cheering "Doll power!" the loudest as these beloved characters prove once again they can all work together despite their very different personalities, the Dolls and the Funcrafts combining their traits of caution and courage in the best way possible. jennifer m. brabander (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The Doll and Funcraft families are backand the ocean's got 'em. Readers who loved the adventures of the doll "people" brought vividly and charmingly to life in the other books in the series will be delighted by this latest entry. Page-turning exploits await: Packed into a carton for what's intended to be a temporary removal to their owners' attic, the dolls find themselves accidentally placed aboard a cargo ship bound for England. Can the dolls escape and return home? Can they avoid human notice? Can they rescue some of their own from frightful danger? You betin a gently humorous, engaging and genuinely exciting story that's strong on plot and, as always, on well-developed personalities. As before, the wonder of the dolls is that they embody admirable, sympathetic human traits, which are beautifully realized: strong family loyalties; unwavering, cooperative friendships; perseverance powered by healthy doses of self-esteem; and impressive problem-solving skills. Readers cheerfully forget these characters aren't human and root for them all the way. Fans will welcome aboard Helquist, whose artwork is inspired by and takes off from the excellent illustrations established in the earlier books by Brian Selznick; indeed, Annabelle is even more winsome and expressive here. Fans will also appreciate meeting some charming new dolls, fellow boxed-up passengers who aid our heroes and, in turn, are affectingly helped by them. Readers are guaranteed very smooth sailing. (not all final art seen) (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
