The Ticky-Tacky Doll

by Cynthia Rylant, Harvey Stevenson (Illustrator)

The ticky-tacky doll has been one little girl's best friend ever since Grandmama sewed it for her. They do everything together--eat, sleep, play, even dream.
Then school starts, and for the first time the little girl has to leave her beloved companion behind at home. Without the ticky-tacky doll by her side, she grows more sad-eyed and lonely each day.
Luckily, Grandmama knows just what to do. . . .

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[Stefanie Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about a girl who is upset when school starts and she can't bring her doll to school. She goes to school every day, sad, and is not learning anything. Only her grandma understands why and creates a solution for her.

Many young children will be able to connect with this story. They understand the fear of going to school and the upset with leaving their toys behind. Both parents and primary school teachers may find this story helpful.

The illustrations are muted and soft with lots of blues, pinks, greens, and purples. They look as if they were done in pastels or chalk. Both the illustrations and story are realistic and I like how the illustrations add details to the story omitted from the text. For example, the story tells the reader that Grandmama "knew about loneliness" the illustrations tell us who by the framed photograph on her table.

Rylant delivers another poignant story children can connect with.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn’t sensational, but I did enjoy the story. The closeness of family. The first experience at school. Illustrations were very colorful and bright, entertaining. Use for friendship, bravery, and/or new beginnings.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet sweet story of how hard school can be without your best doll-friend next to you. I was reminded of my brother's very good friend, Joey, all through the story. Very serene illustrations too.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great children book for first day school jitters

[Linda Lipko · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not one of my favorite Rylant story books, this is worth the time and energy to read. I read it to my neighborhood girls who loved it.

A little girl has a doll made especially for her from her grandmother. Made of scrap cloth the very colorful pieces hand like soft hair.

The doll is loved and is carried around all day and sleeps with the little girl at night.

When she must go to school, she is heart broken because the ticky-tacky doll must stay home.

And, as Rylant states "This is very sad, but it is the way of the world." "When children go to school, toys are left behind."

While not a young adult powerful coming of age story, it deftly weaves a message of childhood and the need to leave behind what is comfortable in order to grow and expand in the world.

Unable to concentrate and acclimate to school, her wise grandmother sews another tacky-tacky doll. A smaller doll that is secretly held in a book bag and transported to school with the little girl.

At night the doll family and the girl are together.

Charming and lovely!

[Caitlin Barclay]

This is such a sweet little book. Many students (even college students!) have a great amount of anxiety and fear about going to school, especially for the first time. This story addresses that exact problem. Many students will be able to relate to this book and hopefully find comfort in it, especially when it is read on the first few days of school. Cynthia Rylant uses the ticky-tacky adjective nicely rather than just calling it a tacky doll. The name ticky-tacky and the way that it is describes as coming from home and like a biscuit made from scratch reminds all readers of home and the support that lies there even whne we are away. I would love to have a real ticky-tacky doll for my students to hold as we read this book at the beginning of the year and to look at when their days are tough!

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylant, Cynthia., Stevenson, Harvey. The Ticky-Tacky Doll. San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

This realistic fiction story explores a child's emotions when having to go to school for the first time. The little girl is unable to bring her ticky-tacky doll along with her, which is a toy that she has done everything with for years. The young girl struggles with school because of this, and her grandmother creates a miniature doll for her to bring along with her at school. This sweet story depicts not only a child having to deal with her fear of starting school, but of a grandmother's love. The story is well written, along with having beautiful illustrations featuring soft, soothing colors that go along with the emotions explored in the story.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a girl that had a doll made from scraps, she did everything with that doll until school started. Once school started the little girl did not want to participate in any school activities because she missed heer doll so much. Of course her Grandmother understood and made her a smaller version of this doll to stash away in her backpack, that could be carried to school everyday with her. This would make all the difference, the girl was happy to go to school now. Great illustrations, very colorful.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can definitely be used to address the fears a child may have about starting school for the first day. A good activity to do would have each student make their own ticky tacky doll that would keep them company that week. I love the idea of the doll not being glamorous because every student isn't necessarily the best artist, and this book would be a great way of showing them that thy don't have to be. It can also be used to introduce patterns and colors. Students could learn about different shapes & colors and then illustrate their own doll using shapes, etc.

[Vanessa Peavy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Students can make the connection of the fear that comes with starting school and leaving behind the things that make them feel comfortable. A good activity for this book would be to have each student bring their favorite toy to school and write about why that toy is their favorite, how they would feel if they had to leave it behind. Another fun activity would be to make/draw their own Ticky-Tacky Doll.

Grades K-1

[JaNeal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple book (and barely up to my four-star standards) but I am including it because I believe it could be useful in issues dealing with starting school or separation anxiety. It is sweet and thoughtful and the hero is a grandma (I guess that's a bit of a spoiler, but I don't think most will mind).

[Amanda Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! It's about a little girl who has a very tight bond with her home-made dolly, so much so that going to school and having to leave the dolly behind breaks her heart. But her grandmother has a solution. The illustrations really made this book for me, so vibrant and colorful and drawn with a warmth that you can feel as you read.

[Lena Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great pictures throughout! About a child who starts school and cannot bring her ticky-tacky doll with her. She is lost without her doll. You can make text-to-self connections with the students by having them think about when they first started school and if they have anything they are attached to.

[Amanda Andrews]

Another great book about the fears of starting school. This book reminded me of the book Owen. This girl has a doll her grandma made her that she cannot take to school. She misses the doll so much and is not herself. Then, her grandma makes her a mini doll she can bring to school with her!

[Michael D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This heartwarming book is great for teaching young students how to survive the first day of school without mom, dad, and their best toys. The book also can be used to develop children's social skills and the importance of friendships.

[Lori Kuder · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a delightful little book. Sarah really liked it. I've been exploring books by this author.

[C Rain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Cynthia Rylant! I wasn't as crazy about the illustrations though.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of a young girl who has a hard time leaving her dear friend, Ticky-Tacky the homemade doll, when she has to go to school.

[Kelly]

Not as bad as I expected. The illustrations are really nice and add to the story. It is a cute story that could ring true for some kids.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely. Would make a good gift for a wise grandma.

[Paul Hankins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of a transition into school. This one would "ladder" up nicely with SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL by Kate Messner.

[Jen V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it's because my baby is going to kindergarten in a week but this one had me teary-eyed!

[Elanor]

All by herself!

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes a treasured toy makes all the difference.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching, unforgettable story about a young girl, saddened when she starts school and cannot take her favorite doll, and her grandmother who finds the perfect solution.