The Dollshop Downstairs
Written By Yona Zeldis McDonough
Illustrated by
Heather Maione
Chapter Three Discussion and Comments




This chapter was so much fun!  Who wouldn't want a brand-new set of doll dishes?  And surprisingly, Anna is the one who saves the day when it comes to convincing Trudie.  I think she was astonished to "discover" that her little sister really was "little"!  It was a breakthrough for someone of her age to realize that her sister didn't mean to be ornery, she was just a little girl.

The picnic in the park was such a treat, too. The girls must have been so happy that day!

JOC

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Who would foreshadow that F.O.A. Schwarts would play such a dominate roll in the lives of the people who owned a small Doll Repair Shop?  After the wonderful picnic in the park, the family does a lot of window shopping on their way to the toy store.  Ann  looks and hears the people that are "strolling" down the sidewalk of 5th Avenue.  She softly compares them to her mother and finds that mama is more of a lady than any of them.
What a grand idea to buy a present that all the girls could share except for Trudie.  Her young immature self won't have anything to do with the tea set; it's the fan or the hat for her.  She can't even make up her mind about that.  Time will help her to overcome her childish behavior which is right for her age.  After all is said and done, the best surprise comes for the whole family - Ice Cream Cones all around!
 
Denise
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I know--I thought it was fantastic that they got to go to the toy store!  It would have been overwhelming.  And the fact that the girls first of all decided to pool their money and then all finally agreed on what to buy...that was a lesson they didn't even realize they were learning.

What lovely birthday celebrations!

JOC
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Chapter 3

 

It must have been very exciting to ride downtown on the train!

I grew up on a farm, and I remember my first trip by train to the big city.

I think I was 7 years old, and I went on my own with my aunt.

We went to the Zoo and the Royal Ontario Museum where the black totem poles appeared to be immense.

I would have had great difficulty choosing a birthday gift from that fabulous toy store!

I would have had to examine everything , and then again, and then it would still have been hard.

They made an excellent choice, combining their gifts into one to purchase that amazing wicker picnic hamper

With a dainty tea service for 4, including silverware and green and white checked napkins.

And then to top it off, a wonderful picnic in Central Park where they shared their ice cream cones from the cart vendor too…

What could be better!

 

Susan K in ON