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Miss Hickory
Most dolls lead a comfortable but unadventurous life. This was true of Miss Hickory until the fateful day that her owner, Ann, moves from her New Hampshire home to attend school in Boston—leaving Miss Hickory behind. For a small doll whose body is an apple-wood twig and whose head is a hickory nut, the prospect of spending a New Hampshire winter alone is frightening indeed. In this classic modern day fairy tale, what’s a doll to do?
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1946
34 people are currently reading
2345 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
242 books17 followersCarolyn Sherwin Bailey was an American children's author. She attended Teachers College, Columbia University, from which she graduated in 1896. She contributed to the Ladies' Home Journal and other magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 377 reviews
February 7, 2023
I've learned my lesson. When the Newbery girls all say a book is weird and I, after 50 pages or so, disagree with them and privately think they're getting just a bit too picky with these old children's books, I really should just keep my thoughts to myself until I actually finish the book.
Because ending the book by having your main character's -- EVEN IF she was just a little doll made out of a twig -- is a really bad idea. Really, REALLY bad idea. All of you aspiring authors out there who are looking to the Newbery award winners for inspiration -- take your lesson from this book.
It was kind of an odd read -- a jumble of characters living life in the woods and occasionally crossing paths, but mostly just having really strange things happen to them. Miss Hickory is the cantankerous little stick doll who, like a wizened old school teacher, can't resist any opportunity to teach some flighty woodland creature a lesson. I think most of the stories were probably metaphors for something else, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what.
Are these books the reason my grandmother was so strange? I think I'd have been a bit cranky if I'd been made to read these in my childhood. Poor, poor children of the early Newbery era.
Because ending the book by having your main character's -- EVEN IF she was just a little doll made out of a twig -- is a really bad idea. Really, REALLY bad idea. All of you aspiring authors out there who are looking to the Newbery award winners for inspiration -- take your lesson from this book.
It was kind of an odd read -- a jumble of characters living life in the woods and occasionally crossing paths, but mostly just having really strange things happen to them. Miss Hickory is the cantankerous little stick doll who, like a wizened old school teacher, can't resist any opportunity to teach some flighty woodland creature a lesson. I think most of the stories were probably metaphors for something else, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what.
Are these books the reason my grandmother was so strange? I think I'd have been a bit cranky if I'd been made to read these in my childhood. Poor, poor children of the early Newbery era.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2016
Miss Hickory was my favorite children's novel when I first read it as a girl, and reading it again now...now I remember why I loved it so much. Miss Hickory is an outdoor story, a talking animal tale that makes exquisite sense of the natural magic that brings the twig-bodied, acorn-headed doll to life.
The animals in the story are both confounded and drawn to the fiesty no-nonsense Miss Hickory. They learn from her as much as she learns from them, sometimes acts of friendship, sometimes dangerous exchanges, but all wrapped in authentic detail of the natural world. Let's just say the author, Ms. Bailey, knows her outdoors.
Overall, Miss Hickory is a story that reminds us to pay attention to nature, to get outside every day, and to lose our heads in order to feel our hearts and move about with our spirit without fear and doubt.
The animals in the story are both confounded and drawn to the fiesty no-nonsense Miss Hickory. They learn from her as much as she learns from them, sometimes acts of friendship, sometimes dangerous exchanges, but all wrapped in authentic detail of the natural world. Let's just say the author, Ms. Bailey, knows her outdoors.
Overall, Miss Hickory is a story that reminds us to pay attention to nature, to get outside every day, and to lose our heads in order to feel our hearts and move about with our spirit without fear and doubt.
January 14, 2016
Miss Hickory is America's Struwwelpeter - a ghastly, grisly warning to children everywhere.
It seems the Newbery Committee that awarded the coveted medal to Miss Hickory was sending a message to the children of America:
DON'T. BE. AN ASSHOLE.
Seriously, what other message could they possibly be sending when the book they select as The Most Distinguished Book of the Year has an ending that features ?
Miss Hickory is a total asshole to everyone she encounters: she snips at Crow in the first chapter, she is dismissive and rude to Squirrel, and she only agrees to help a jeopardized bullfrog after she viciously insults him for absolutely no apparent reason.
So, kids. Unless you want , don't be an asshole.
Three stars for being delightfully weird.
A bonus star for the delightfully fucked-up ending.
It seems the Newbery Committee that awarded the coveted medal to Miss Hickory was sending a message to the children of America:
DON'T. BE. AN ASSHOLE.
Seriously, what other message could they possibly be sending when the book they select as The Most Distinguished Book of the Year has an ending that features ?
Miss Hickory is a total asshole to everyone she encounters: she snips at Crow in the first chapter, she is dismissive and rude to Squirrel, and she only agrees to help a jeopardized bullfrog after she viciously insults him for absolutely no apparent reason.
So, kids. Unless you want , don't be an asshole.
Three stars for being delightfully weird.
A bonus star for the delightfully fucked-up ending.
February 27, 2012
In this 1947 Newbery Medal award winning book, Miss Hickory is indeed a hard nut to crack. She is a stick figure doll composed of a fork-like twiggy body and a hickory nut for a noggin. Her humble, but clean, abode is made of corncobs nestled beneath a lilac bush.
Miss Hickory is deemed alive by the family who made her and the forest animals who befriend her.
When the family temporarily moves from New Hampshire to Massachusetts, Miss Hickory is left behind to fend for herself in the bitter cold winter.
She is a selfish, self serving, vain and stubborn old coot who self righteously judges others, especially those who help her.
Carolyn Sherwin Bailey weaves subtle humor and social commentary throughout via the personality given to Miss Hickory.
For example, in observing the trouble-making crow as he leads a pack of fellow meanies, Miss Hickory remarks that he most likely is a gangster and really should be shot, but, will not be caught.
The squirrel who tries to help by keeping her warm, alas does not save, but eats all his nuts and is lectured for his bad qualities but not praised for his good attributes. The crow who finds a new robin's nest home for her after her corncob abode is taken over by a chipmunk, is deemed dirty and gossipy.
And, there appears to be a subtle dig at self righteous church goers as we learn that Miss Hickory, decked in her finest attire, looks forward to attending the sermons of Jack in the Pulpit.
In short, Miss Hickory is akin to the character of Gladys Kravitz in the 1970's television series Bewitched. She is a noisy, judging little hypocrite.
When hungry squirrel takes his revenge and eats her head off, Miss Hickory, in a biblical way looses her life to be reborn again in the spring.
Miss Hickory is deemed alive by the family who made her and the forest animals who befriend her.
When the family temporarily moves from New Hampshire to Massachusetts, Miss Hickory is left behind to fend for herself in the bitter cold winter.
She is a selfish, self serving, vain and stubborn old coot who self righteously judges others, especially those who help her.
Carolyn Sherwin Bailey weaves subtle humor and social commentary throughout via the personality given to Miss Hickory.
For example, in observing the trouble-making crow as he leads a pack of fellow meanies, Miss Hickory remarks that he most likely is a gangster and really should be shot, but, will not be caught.
The squirrel who tries to help by keeping her warm, alas does not save, but eats all his nuts and is lectured for his bad qualities but not praised for his good attributes. The crow who finds a new robin's nest home for her after her corncob abode is taken over by a chipmunk, is deemed dirty and gossipy.
And, there appears to be a subtle dig at self righteous church goers as we learn that Miss Hickory, decked in her finest attire, looks forward to attending the sermons of Jack in the Pulpit.
In short, Miss Hickory is akin to the character of Gladys Kravitz in the 1970's television series Bewitched. She is a noisy, judging little hypocrite.
When hungry squirrel takes his revenge and eats her head off, Miss Hickory, in a biblical way looses her life to be reborn again in the spring.
August 6, 2012
A lot of reviewers found the story too weird... but that's it's charm in my opinion. Lot's of great stories are weird, just ask the Grimm Brothers. I loved Miss Hickory. She is a cranky, insecure nut who eventually finds her way, and that's a character I can relate to. I loved that she is mean... how refreshing and real! The weirdest part for me was the strange religious chapter in the middle of the book that seemed out of place and a bit heavy-handed, but I skipped it, since it irritated me. The chapters follow the seasons, and nature is described in way that emphasizes it's magic. Just what my city kids need. She will give us a lot to talk about.
February 11, 2016
This is one of the most creative children's books I have ever read. You really have to just go with it and let the fantasy take over. Beautifully written and illustrated, I remember being so worried about the fate of Miss Hickory and her wee acorn head. This title is in such danger of being forgotten. It is never on a recommended summer reading list anymore and you would be hard pressed to find more than one copy if even that in a bookstore. Definitely one of my childhood favorites.
February 12, 2025
I liked this book but, sadly, it wasn't a great choice for me. The illustrations are wonderful and often amusing, but I found the story to be a little irritating and not at all happy, funny, or joyful.
I'd read that many people love this book and I was really hoping that I would, too. Maybe it's a book that you need to read while you're young to appreciate?? I hope that's the case because I truly struggled to return to this book and to finish it. Very disappointing.
The story of Miss Hickory and her quest to find a new home over the winter took place in New Hampshire (where I live now), so that was a pleasant surprise. I also thought the ending was sweet. But, overall, I thought that the characters were not very likable and they all seemed to have a "chip" on their shoulder or a strange, slightly unfriendly attitude towards each other.
If this is a favorite of yours, I'd love to know. Maybe I missed or misunderstood the parts that make it special. Please comment below if you don't mind sharing your thoughts with me :)
Many thanks to my dearest friend, Liz (@pony.books on Instagram), for buddy reading this book with me. It had been on my shelf for at least two years and I was glad to finally read it.
I'd read that many people love this book and I was really hoping that I would, too. Maybe it's a book that you need to read while you're young to appreciate?? I hope that's the case because I truly struggled to return to this book and to finish it. Very disappointing.
The story of Miss Hickory and her quest to find a new home over the winter took place in New Hampshire (where I live now), so that was a pleasant surprise. I also thought the ending was sweet. But, overall, I thought that the characters were not very likable and they all seemed to have a "chip" on their shoulder or a strange, slightly unfriendly attitude towards each other.
If this is a favorite of yours, I'd love to know. Maybe I missed or misunderstood the parts that make it special. Please comment below if you don't mind sharing your thoughts with me :)
Many thanks to my dearest friend, Liz (@pony.books on Instagram), for buddy reading this book with me. It had been on my shelf for at least two years and I was glad to finally read it.
April 30, 2020
Miss Hickory had an apple-wood twig body, hickory nut head, and wore a rather smart checked gingham dress. She lived a fine and comfortable life under the lilac bush in a corncob house. Before winter set in, Great-Granny Brown would bring Miss Hickory’s house (and her along with it) into the Old Place and set both on the windowsill to pass the time amiably until springtime. But this year, Crow had brought some terrible news. It seems that Great-Granny Brown has closed up the Old Place for the winter and has decided to spend the winter in Boston in some place called the Women’s City Club. Abandoned, dismayed, and soon-to-be evicted, what is Miss Hickory to do? Leave it to her old friend Crow to not only offer up a solution, but an adventure to boot!
1947 Newbery Medal Winner, "Miss Hickory" is NOT to be confused with some run-of-the-mill children’s story. Oh no! For author Carolyn Sherwin Bailey advises her readers at the beginning of her story that all of her characters—from Miss Hickory to Crow to Squirrel and even Hen-Pheasant—are very much real and alive (save for one, but I don’t wish to spoil the story). Bailey gives us a wonderful adventure tale that centers around one very prissy, self-centered, judgmental, and rather pretentious Miss Hickory. We follow her seasonal exploits in the orchard that sits beside the Old Place. Readers get to meet many colorful characters such as fearful Ground Hog, spoiled Chipmunk, and worldly Wild-Heifer. As Miss Hickory encounters each of these wonderful creatures, she grows a bit in experience, character, and self-actualization.
"Miss Hickory" is a beautifully told story complemented by Ruth Gannett’s exquisite lithographs. Her drawings give an earthy and rustic feel to a tale celebrating nature and wildlife. Bailey spent her summers at a home in New Hampshire that adjoined an apple orchard. Her keen observational skills allow readers to be transported to a world where you can delight in the purple asters, smell the fragrant pine needles, taste the berries and nuts, and feel the crunch of autumn leaves beneath your feet.
SPOILER: Although younger readers may find the ending a bit sad, "Miss Hickory" is truly a celebration of discovering your personal worth and finding your place in the world (adults may have to help them look for this silver lining). In the end—although Miss Hickory was a bit “hardheaded”—she discovered that home is more than a structure, it’s a sense of belonging. And although she was a bit of a nut (sorry!), Miss Hickory shows us that is does pay to listen to your heart rather than your head, that you can’t always judge a book by its cover, and—most importantly—that you should always, ALWAYS be nice to squirrels because making them angry would be just plain…nutty.
1947 Newbery Medal Winner, "Miss Hickory" is NOT to be confused with some run-of-the-mill children’s story. Oh no! For author Carolyn Sherwin Bailey advises her readers at the beginning of her story that all of her characters—from Miss Hickory to Crow to Squirrel and even Hen-Pheasant—are very much real and alive (save for one, but I don’t wish to spoil the story). Bailey gives us a wonderful adventure tale that centers around one very prissy, self-centered, judgmental, and rather pretentious Miss Hickory. We follow her seasonal exploits in the orchard that sits beside the Old Place. Readers get to meet many colorful characters such as fearful Ground Hog, spoiled Chipmunk, and worldly Wild-Heifer. As Miss Hickory encounters each of these wonderful creatures, she grows a bit in experience, character, and self-actualization.
"Miss Hickory" is a beautifully told story complemented by Ruth Gannett’s exquisite lithographs. Her drawings give an earthy and rustic feel to a tale celebrating nature and wildlife. Bailey spent her summers at a home in New Hampshire that adjoined an apple orchard. Her keen observational skills allow readers to be transported to a world where you can delight in the purple asters, smell the fragrant pine needles, taste the berries and nuts, and feel the crunch of autumn leaves beneath your feet.
SPOILER: Although younger readers may find the ending a bit sad, "Miss Hickory" is truly a celebration of discovering your personal worth and finding your place in the world (adults may have to help them look for this silver lining). In the end—although Miss Hickory was a bit “hardheaded”—she discovered that home is more than a structure, it’s a sense of belonging. And although she was a bit of a nut (sorry!), Miss Hickory shows us that is does pay to listen to your heart rather than your head, that you can’t always judge a book by its cover, and—most importantly—that you should always, ALWAYS be nice to squirrels because making them angry would be just plain…nutty.
August 17, 2008
I was hoping this would be as good as HITTY (it's also from a doll's point of view), but it wasn't... in fact, it was basically what I always thought HITTY would be... cheesy. And the illustrations are sort of creepy. Okay, but it's ALMOST worth reading the whole thing (it's pretty short) for the totally bizarre ending.
August 14, 2022
This was a book that was as twee as it was realistic, as weird as that seems to say. The idea of a living doll (with a hickory nut head and appletree twig body) who lives amongst woodland creatures sounds charming, and it definitely is to some extent. The descriptions of the weather and nature made me ache inside for happier days. But along with the charm, the animal characters of this book can communicate like humans would, but also completely in context of their own natures. This does, of course, lead to the rather shocking climax to the end that seems to be a bit controversial amongst readers.
I cannot predict how child-me would've feel about the end. Probably sickly fascinated. Perhaps unhappy. But I still imagine she would've read this many times. As an adult, it did make me gasp (especially since I saw the illustration first!), but I do rather appreciate the meaning that Miss Hickoy finds in her new purpose. Still, perhaps not the ending I would've chosen. Such is life!
I cannot predict how child-me would've feel about the end. Probably sickly fascinated. Perhaps unhappy. But I still imagine she would've read this many times. As an adult, it did make me gasp (especially since I saw the illustration first!), but I do rather appreciate the meaning that Miss Hickoy finds in her new purpose. Still, perhaps not the ending I would've chosen. Such is life!
December 18, 2009
I liked this book until the end. The book is episodic, rather than having one main storyline. Miss Hickory is a twig doll with a nut for a head, and she is indeed hard-headed. When the people in the Big House go away for the winter without taking her along, Miss Hickory must brave the winter by herself. I liked the cozy domesticity of her cleaning and preparing food stores and making her own clothes. She is rather sharp with her fellow forest dwellers, however, and this ultimately leads to her rather horrific demise. The very last chapter is supposed to be optimistic, but if I had read this as a child, I would have been haunted by what happened during her final meeting with Squirrel, and her ensuing journey to fulfillment (all of which happens in the last two chapters).
March 28, 2008
Do you want to know a secret?
I really rarely ever HATE books. I might despise them or wish I hadn't read them, but hating a book? That's really extreme for me.
Except for Miss Hickory. This book I HATED. With a passion! So bad that as a child (before I realized I didn't have to keep books I didn't like) I would put sticky notes on it that had skulls and crossbones that said things like "Read this and you will die." *tear* Just like Miss Hickory!!! What kind of children's book ends with the doll dying!?!?! I'm still traumatized almost ten years later. Really sad book. I would recommend this to absolutely no one.
I really rarely ever HATE books. I might despise them or wish I hadn't read them, but hating a book? That's really extreme for me.
Except for Miss Hickory. This book I HATED. With a passion! So bad that as a child (before I realized I didn't have to keep books I didn't like) I would put sticky notes on it that had skulls and crossbones that said things like "Read this and you will die." *tear* Just like Miss Hickory!!! What kind of children's book ends with the doll dying!?!?! I'm still traumatized almost ten years later. Really sad book. I would recommend this to absolutely no one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2011
So here's what I wrote as a status update in about the middle of the book:
... and I don't have much else to say.
I appreciated what the author tried to do with Christmas, but honestly? This was just weird and odd and lame. It almost seemed like a drug trip, now that I think about it.
Here's my take at halfway through: check out Rabbit Hill instead (if you're looking for personification of woodland creatures and want to stay in the Newbery family). I don't know what's up with this one, and it's probably not fair that it's just 2 years after Rabbit Hill, but it's falling short and awfully weird.
... and I don't have much else to say.
I appreciated what the author tried to do with Christmas, but honestly? This was just weird and odd and lame. It almost seemed like a drug trip, now that I think about it.
March 3, 2012
Miss Hickory is a charming little book! It was my absolute favorite when I was younger, I loved how she made her little clothes and her funny manner! I was only six when I read it and I told everyone I knew about it. Excellent and charming! Perfect for imaginative little readers who are just starting out!
January 5, 2011
This book is one of my all tim favorites! I read it a long time ago, but it is great. It shows personification of a doll who is trying to survive a harsh winter. This book won the Newberry Award in 1947.
February 4, 2017
"Miss Hickory" won the Newbery in 1947, the year I was born. The author is Carolyn Sherwin Bailey and the illustrator is Ruth Gannett.
It only took a few pages before I was sucked into this beyond-quirky story about a doll made of an apple twig with a hickory nut for a head, thus her name. Miss Hickory is a feisty character who's crabby and cranky and much older than the word "doll" would suggest. She lives outdoors in a little corncob house but comes into the family house in the winter. Until they go away and forget all about her. Suddenly Miss Hickory must fend for herself out in the world, surround by creatures who may be friends — or not. Her hard head means she's not very good at figuring it all out.
This is a story that is so clearly the product of a different era. It portrays a surprisingly violent world for a children's book; but perhaps one that was familiar to those who'd grown up during the Depression and WWII. There are words that are not explained or defined like wastrel, Daphne and Persephone, treble and bass. There are occurrences that are described with such subtlety that you may miss them altogether. The story is filled with moral lessons large and small about responsibility, behavior, friendship and personality.
There are also beautifully evocative descriptions of animals and the natural world. Look at Miss Hickory's shoes on the cover of the book: they're Lady Slipper Orchids and that's a Hepatica growing next to her! The author actually made me feel kindly towards the animals who were foraging in gardens.
I read "Miss Hickory" in a day, loved every minute of it, and think gardeners and those who love YA books would like it as well. But I am not sure it is really a book for children. If you do buy the book look for a hardcover version with the original cover and illustrations. Like so many classic titles, there are new versions lacking all the charm of the originals.
It only took a few pages before I was sucked into this beyond-quirky story about a doll made of an apple twig with a hickory nut for a head, thus her name. Miss Hickory is a feisty character who's crabby and cranky and much older than the word "doll" would suggest. She lives outdoors in a little corncob house but comes into the family house in the winter. Until they go away and forget all about her. Suddenly Miss Hickory must fend for herself out in the world, surround by creatures who may be friends — or not. Her hard head means she's not very good at figuring it all out.
This is a story that is so clearly the product of a different era. It portrays a surprisingly violent world for a children's book; but perhaps one that was familiar to those who'd grown up during the Depression and WWII. There are words that are not explained or defined like wastrel, Daphne and Persephone, treble and bass. There are occurrences that are described with such subtlety that you may miss them altogether. The story is filled with moral lessons large and small about responsibility, behavior, friendship and personality.
There are also beautifully evocative descriptions of animals and the natural world. Look at Miss Hickory's shoes on the cover of the book: they're Lady Slipper Orchids and that's a Hepatica growing next to her! The author actually made me feel kindly towards the animals who were foraging in gardens.
I read "Miss Hickory" in a day, loved every minute of it, and think gardeners and those who love YA books would like it as well. But I am not sure it is really a book for children. If you do buy the book look for a hardcover version with the original cover and illustrations. Like so many classic titles, there are new versions lacking all the charm of the originals.
July 2, 2024
It took me a long time to find this book again--every time I searched for it I came up with Hitty, Her First Hundred Years. I love the imagination of living in the natural world apart from human interference--the delightful Christmas scene--Miss Hickory's wardrobe--every cheerful, charming, imaginative page of it! The tone is just what tickles my funny bone, too, like Margery Sharpe's in Miss Bianca. An absolute treasure; so glad I finally found a copy again at an antique store. I have a fond memory of reading this at a doctor's office (of all places!) and it was such fun to revisit, though next time I shall remember that winter is the overarching season for this dear little story.
Read
October 7, 2014One of my favorite Newberry books!
December 27, 2021
This book is so short and I had to renew it twice at the library. I just never wanted to read it because it was so dumb. There are a couple of these older Newbery books where dolls or toys are telling the story and they are all terribly boring.
I also have to say that the end was kind of disturbing.
I don't know, if this really was the best of the best, then I feel sad for children of the era.
I also have to say that the end was kind of disturbing.
I don't know, if this really was the best of the best, then I feel sad for children of the era.
June 28, 2020
COVID-19, with the libraries closed, sent me looking for books to read in my own collection. I remember buying my copy of Miss Hickory at a school book fair, at least 50 years ago. The price on the cover says 50¢. It was the Newbury winner in 1947, and as such, is still in print. I know exactly why I bought it -- I loved dolls and stories about dolls. I still do. I started it with some trepidation; many of my old favorites that I've tried to reread have turned out to be problematic enough that I couldn't even finish them, much less give them to a modern child to read. Not so, Miss Hickory! Aside from some mild ambient sexism that can worked around, and a potentially disturbing encounter with a squirrel (catastrophic, really, when your head is made from a hickory nut -- spoiler alert) Miss Hickory is a beautifully written and delightful story.
Miss Hickory is a small doll, made from the branch of an apple tree with a hickory nut head. Her origins are somewhat mysterious, but she lived with a girl named Ann, who dressed her and provided her with a little dolls' house. When the story opens however, Ann's family has gone to Boston for the winter, and alas, Miss Hickory has been left behind to fend for herself in the New Hampshire winter. Fortunately she has a friendly crow looking out for her, and when she is evicted from her home by a chipmunk, Old Crow takes her to an abandoned robins' nest in an old apple tree, where she happily sets up housekeeping. Miss Hickory is a bit hard-headed, but she's also resourceful, and as someone who knits, sews, and just in general makes things, I absolutely adored the descriptions of the wardrobe she made from leaves, moss, and flowers sewed together with pine needles. She also foraged for food, and drank tea from acorn top cups. Yes, please!!
There's an interesting chapter in the middle of the book that diverges from the main story, inserting a dose of mysticism much in the way that The Piper At the Gates of Dawn does in The Wind in the Willows. Although it's clearly Christian mysticism and I am an atheist, it wasn't heavy-handed. It was just … there.
And the illustrations -- lithographs by Ruth Gannett (who also illustrated My Father's Dragon) -- are glorious! They make me want to run out and find a branch and a nut to make my own little Miss Hickory doll. (For those of you who know me, you're saying, "Of course it does!")
There is also a lot to be learned about New England nature and apple trees. If you enjoy classic children's stories (especially the ones that aren't racist) that feature talking animals and elicit a fair amount of nostalgia, don't overlook Miss Hickory. It was a treat to reread it.
Miss Hickory is a small doll, made from the branch of an apple tree with a hickory nut head. Her origins are somewhat mysterious, but she lived with a girl named Ann, who dressed her and provided her with a little dolls' house. When the story opens however, Ann's family has gone to Boston for the winter, and alas, Miss Hickory has been left behind to fend for herself in the New Hampshire winter. Fortunately she has a friendly crow looking out for her, and when she is evicted from her home by a chipmunk, Old Crow takes her to an abandoned robins' nest in an old apple tree, where she happily sets up housekeeping. Miss Hickory is a bit hard-headed, but she's also resourceful, and as someone who knits, sews, and just in general makes things, I absolutely adored the descriptions of the wardrobe she made from leaves, moss, and flowers sewed together with pine needles. She also foraged for food, and drank tea from acorn top cups. Yes, please!!
There's an interesting chapter in the middle of the book that diverges from the main story, inserting a dose of mysticism much in the way that The Piper At the Gates of Dawn does in The Wind in the Willows. Although it's clearly Christian mysticism and I am an atheist, it wasn't heavy-handed. It was just … there.
And the illustrations -- lithographs by Ruth Gannett (who also illustrated My Father's Dragon) -- are glorious! They make me want to run out and find a branch and a nut to make my own little Miss Hickory doll. (For those of you who know me, you're saying, "Of course it does!")
There is also a lot to be learned about New England nature and apple trees. If you enjoy classic children's stories (especially the ones that aren't racist) that feature talking animals and elicit a fair amount of nostalgia, don't overlook Miss Hickory. It was a treat to reread it.
June 21, 2008
Her body is made out of an apple wood twig and her head is a hickory nut, however, Miss Hickory was no doll: she was a person. Join Miss Hickory as she learns to trust her friends Crow, Squirrel and Mr. T. William-Brown, the cat who help her find a new home and survive through winter. Along the way she helps others too. With her help Hen-Pheasant starts the Ladies Aid Society for pheasants during the winter and Ground Hog, who is afraid of his shadow, comes out of his hole so spring will arrive. This winner of the 1947 Newbery Award has a magical ending that shows that those who care, serve, and love others are blessed too. Illustrated by Ruth Gannett using lithographs, this well loved novel will remain a children’s favorite for years to come.
February 20, 2013
Quaint, strange, nature-appreciative, symbolic (?)...these are my descriptors for the 1947 Newbery winner "Miss Hickory."
Opinionated, prickly, at times ungrateful, but also brave, creative, nature-loving, at times helpful are adjectives that describe the strong character of Miss Hickory herself. She grows well throughout the short book.
The last two chapters are, in turn, startling and quietly majestic.
I'm glad I read "Miss Hickory." I'm also glad much of Children's Literature has improved greatly over the years.
Opinionated, prickly, at times ungrateful, but also brave, creative, nature-loving, at times helpful are adjectives that describe the strong character of Miss Hickory herself. She grows well throughout the short book.
The last two chapters are, in turn, startling and quietly majestic.
I'm glad I read "Miss Hickory." I'm also glad much of Children's Literature has improved greatly over the years.
January 13, 2009
Do you know how many forms of "doll with a nut head" I googled before I found the title of this?
I don't know how I got my hands on the book originally, but I loved this as a child. Despite the other reviews below, I was not disturbed by the ending, I thought it was actually quite nice. But I was a morbid child, so that might explain things.
Loved it. Wanted to live in a bird's nest. Wish I still owned it.
I don't know how I got my hands on the book originally, but I loved this as a child. Despite the other reviews below, I was not disturbed by the ending, I thought it was actually quite nice. But I was a morbid child, so that might explain things.
Loved it. Wanted to live in a bird's nest. Wish I still owned it.
September 1, 2016
Miss Hickory, with her apple-wood twig body and her hickory nut head, stars in this utterly charming New England pastoral fantasy.
May 29, 2022
This is such a delightful book!!! It goes from the seasons of Fall to Spring and I feel is a wonderful chapter book to introduce children to the wonders of nature including animals, plants, etc. I wish I had known about this book when my children were younger as it would have been a wonderful addition to our studies of nature. So many things we could have gone on rabbit trails for such as seasons, migration, foods, etc.
September 30, 2025
This book follows an apple twig doll with a hickory nut head as she tries to find a suitable home for herself. The nature imagery, descriptions of the seasons, and personalities of the various animal characters reminded me of the Thornton Burgess animal books. My young boys enjoyed the story, although they were rather horrified towards the end when Squirrel ate Miss Hickory’s head off. 😁 But it all turned out well and they were satisfied with the ending.
January 17, 2025
Miss Hickory learned a lesson in this book. It is not okay to be mean and rude to others.
February 14, 2020
This book has it's haters. And I understand. It is a little odd that the character you've come to like looses her head - literally. But ... she is just a little doll made out of twigs and a hickory nut after all. And the story ends well and the getting there was oh so fun and sweet, with little houses in the trees and little neighbor animals. I really enjoyed it and would just say, "don't knock it til you've tried it."
Ages: 6+
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 2 Incidents: Cock (referring to a male bird and the name of a character), posh
Name Calling - 4 Incidents: dastard, Cow-bird, wastrel
Religious & Supernatural - 1 Incident: On Christmas Eve all the animals gather in the barn to witness the "Christmas miracle" - there is a shining star and the imprint of a baby laying in a manger.
Romance Related - 2 Incidents: Mentions a bird who deserted his wife (referring to nature and mating habits). Mentions how the female birds will live with their mates again during mating season.
Attitudes/Disobedience - None
Conversation Topics - None
Parent Takeaway
This story is of nature, the seasons and the habits of animals. So when it discusses that a bird deserted his wife, it's simply presenting the habits of birds in story-form, etc. At the end of the story, a squirrel eats Miss Hickory's head (since she is a nut) so she goes around headless for a time - might be hard to grasp for very young children. Not grossly described; more comical.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
Ages: 6+
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 2 Incidents: Cock (referring to a male bird and the name of a character), posh
Name Calling - 4 Incidents: dastard, Cow-bird, wastrel
Religious & Supernatural - 1 Incident: On Christmas Eve all the animals gather in the barn to witness the "Christmas miracle" - there is a shining star and the imprint of a baby laying in a manger.
Romance Related - 2 Incidents: Mentions a bird who deserted his wife (referring to nature and mating habits). Mentions how the female birds will live with their mates again during mating season.
Attitudes/Disobedience - None
Conversation Topics - None
Parent Takeaway
This story is of nature, the seasons and the habits of animals. So when it discusses that a bird deserted his wife, it's simply presenting the habits of birds in story-form, etc. At the end of the story, a squirrel eats Miss Hickory's head (since she is a nut) so she goes around headless for a time - might be hard to grasp for very young children. Not grossly described; more comical.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
February 13, 2019
Miss Hickory, a stick doll made from an apple twig with a hickory nut for a head who lives in a corncob house, has many quaint adventures until a major event alters the course of her life.
One summer during my childhood, my mother decided I was watching too much television, and she insisted, under threat of harping on this point nonstop until I gave in, that I turn off the TV and read a book. She presented me with Miss Hickory chosen for no other reason than because it won a Newbery Award. This book gave me nightmares. You wonder how something that appears so wholesome could possibly give a child nightmares. Well, let me tell you ...
Miss Hickory is a tiny little stick doll whose head is a hickory nut. Because this is a story, she is magically alive and sentient, and she lives a happy life and goes on cute little outdoor adventures until the fateful day when ! There is a detailed illustration depicting the scene in which . A similar scene in the film adaptation of Return to Oz involving also terrified me years later, so perhaps it is just me.
At any rate, even the quasi-happy resolution in which did not atone for the seriousness of the tragedy that befell Miss Hickory. I spent the entire rest of the summer dreaming about . By contrast, I can't remember a single television program I watched that summer.
One summer during my childhood, my mother decided I was watching too much television, and she insisted, under threat of harping on this point nonstop until I gave in, that I turn off the TV and read a book. She presented me with Miss Hickory chosen for no other reason than because it won a Newbery Award. This book gave me nightmares. You wonder how something that appears so wholesome could possibly give a child nightmares. Well, let me tell you ...
Miss Hickory is a tiny little stick doll whose head is a hickory nut. Because this is a story, she is magically alive and sentient, and she lives a happy life and goes on cute little outdoor adventures until the fateful day when ! There is a detailed illustration depicting the scene in which . A similar scene in the film adaptation of Return to Oz involving also terrified me years later, so perhaps it is just me.
At any rate, even the quasi-happy resolution in which did not atone for the seriousness of the tragedy that befell Miss Hickory. I spent the entire rest of the summer dreaming about . By contrast, I can't remember a single television program I watched that summer.
February 20, 2015
What a strange book! When I first saw the cover, I thought, "Wow! An African American pre-1950 Newbery protagonist!" But I was wrong. Miss Hickory was not an African American. She was just a doll made of twigs and a hickory nut.
I wasn't expecting to like another doll book. I didn't really enjoy Hitty all that much, and there are many similarities. (authors in this era, really got a kick out placing dolls in birds' nests for some reason) But I did like a lot of things about it. Parts of it are downright funny, especially when Miss Hickory gets her head eaten by the squirrel she is always insulting. I really liked the illustrations. They were very nicely done.
There were a few weird parts that I didn't really get. The doe is by all appearances, shot by a hunter. The fawn follows her blood drops for a while and grieves her loss. The author even tells us that she is dead twice in the beginning of the book. In the list of characters it says "Doe: With God" and in the author's note, she says that all the characters were still living, except doe. But then, when all the animals are lining up to look in the manger on Christmas Eve the doe lines right up with fawn, who doesn't seem to think it's all that remarkable. So either, doe wasn't really dead, and fawn was just mistaken (and the author lied to us twice) or it was a ghost who was there as part of a Christmas miracle. Either way, the author could have done a better job explaining.
I looked to see if there were any other kids' books published in 1946 that I liked better, but it didn't seem to have that much competition, so I have no problem with it winning the 1947 Newbery.
I wasn't expecting to like another doll book. I didn't really enjoy Hitty all that much, and there are many similarities. (authors in this era, really got a kick out placing dolls in birds' nests for some reason) But I did like a lot of things about it. Parts of it are downright funny, especially when Miss Hickory gets her head eaten by the squirrel she is always insulting. I really liked the illustrations. They were very nicely done.
There were a few weird parts that I didn't really get. The doe is by all appearances, shot by a hunter. The fawn follows her blood drops for a while and grieves her loss. The author even tells us that she is dead twice in the beginning of the book. In the list of characters it says "Doe: With God" and in the author's note, she says that all the characters were still living, except doe. But then, when all the animals are lining up to look in the manger on Christmas Eve the doe lines right up with fawn, who doesn't seem to think it's all that remarkable. So either, doe wasn't really dead, and fawn was just mistaken (and the author lied to us twice) or it was a ghost who was there as part of a Christmas miracle. Either way, the author could have done a better job explaining.
I looked to see if there were any other kids' books published in 1946 that I liked better, but it didn't seem to have that much competition, so I have no problem with it winning the 1947 Newbery.
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