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The Story of Holly and Ivy
Ivy, Holly, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones all have one Christmas wish. Ivy, an orphan, wishes for a real home and sets out in search of the grandmother she's sure she can find. Holly, a doll, wishes for a child to bring her to life. And the Joneses wish more than anything for a son or daughter to share their holiday. Can all three wishes come true? This festive tale is perfectly complemented by beloved Barbara Cooney's luminous illustrations, filled with the warm glow of the Christmas spirit.
About the Author: Rumer Godden was an internationally renowned author. Among her many books are The Doll's House and The Rocking Horse Secret. She grew up in India and England.
Barbara Cooney (left) illustrated more than one hundred picture books. She twice received the Caldecott Medal, for Chanticleer and the Fox and Ox-Cart Man (Viking), while Miss Rumphius was a winner of the American Book Award and a New York Times Best Book of the Year.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
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3605 people want to read
About the author
Rumer Godden
153 books557 followersMargaret Rumer Godden was an English author of more than 60 fiction and non-fiction books. Nine of her works have been made into films, most notably Black Narcissus in 1947 and The River in 1951.
A few of her works were co-written with her elder sister, novelist Jon Godden, including Two Under the Indian Sun, a memoir of the Goddens' childhood in a region of India now part of Bangladesh.
A few of her works were co-written with her elder sister, novelist Jon Godden, including Two Under the Indian Sun, a memoir of the Goddens' childhood in a region of India now part of Bangladesh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
December 5, 2024
Illuminated by Barbara Cooney's gorgeous illustrations, Rumer Godden tells the story of Ivy, the girl in the green coat, and Holly, the doll in the red dress. It is Christmas Eve and three wishes have been made. Will they come true on Christmas Day? Not if Abracadabra the Owl has anything to say about it.
Add this classic tale to your To Do list for the 2022 Holiday Season. You won't be sorry!
Rereading this one in 2024 as part of my deep dive into Barbara Cooney's illustrations. The story of Holly and Ivy is as endearing as the first time. It was definitely a treat to focus on the artful and inviting illustrations by Cooney. The Goodreads book blurb describes them as 'luminous' and that is something I had taken note of before coming here to write my review. This is a book to spread out over several nights, giving time to savor this story about wishing while also admiring the gorgeous pictures provided to go along with it.
Add this classic tale to your To Do list for the 2022 Holiday Season. You won't be sorry!
Rereading this one in 2024 as part of my deep dive into Barbara Cooney's illustrations. The story of Holly and Ivy is as endearing as the first time. It was definitely a treat to focus on the artful and inviting illustrations by Cooney. The Goodreads book blurb describes them as 'luminous' and that is something I had taken note of before coming here to write my review. This is a book to spread out over several nights, giving time to savor this story about wishing while also admiring the gorgeous pictures provided to go along with it.
December 20, 2022
This was a lovely short read about a doll needing a girl and a girl needing a home. A christmassy magical book about hopes and wishes. Lovely illustrations. We think the owl in the toyshop must have been inspiration for hoot from old bear.
January 3, 2026
A beautiful story, I so loved following every step of Ivy's journey on her way home! 🙂 There wasn't an edition with Barbara Cooney's illustrations, and though Pauline Baynes' art for Narnia stories is my favourite, I chose Christian Birmingham's for this title.
A big thank you to my friend Darla for filling my heart with Christmas spirit with this tale that is full of a festive atmosphere! 🩷🎄❄️
December 2, 2022
A feel good story for this time of year! 🎅🏻
November 29, 2020
This is a charming little Christmas story about a six-year-old orphan named Ivy who is searching for her (nonexistent) grandmother, a beautiful little Christmas doll named Holly looking for a child to love her, and a sad wife of a policeman yearning for that missing something to complete her life. Rich in atmosphere and the warmth of the heart, this sweet short will reveal the power of wishes and fill you with the true spirit of Christmas. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.
November 16, 2015
This is an absolutely enchanting and extremely moving Christmas tale for children. It centres on a little orphan girl, called Ivy, who is shunted off on Christmas Eve to the Infants’ Home, as there is nobody to look after her. Stubbornly, Ivy declares she will go to her ‘grandmother’ but she has no grandmother and so Miss Shepherd puts her on the train. However, Ivy gets off and goes in hunt of the home that must belong to her.
In the toyshop, a pretty doll called Holly is dressed for Christmas and longs for a little girl of her own to love her. When Ivy sees her through the window, they both know they belong together – but Ivy has no money and the glass separates them and then the shop closes…
Meanwhile, a lady called Mrs Jones puts up her Christmas tree and waits for her policeman husband to return from his beat. Mr Jones scoffs kindly at her preparations, but knows that she longs for a little girl of her own. The way that Rumer Goden brings together these three characters is absolutely masterly. This is story telling at its best, which will undoubtedly leave you feeling a little wrung out, but absolutely cheering at the end! If you read one story to your children at Christmas which absolutely invokes the spirit of the season, this should be it. At under 100 pages it is ideal to be read aloud to children of 4+.
In the toyshop, a pretty doll called Holly is dressed for Christmas and longs for a little girl of her own to love her. When Ivy sees her through the window, they both know they belong together – but Ivy has no money and the glass separates them and then the shop closes…
Meanwhile, a lady called Mrs Jones puts up her Christmas tree and waits for her policeman husband to return from his beat. Mr Jones scoffs kindly at her preparations, but knows that she longs for a little girl of her own. The way that Rumer Goden brings together these three characters is absolutely masterly. This is story telling at its best, which will undoubtedly leave you feeling a little wrung out, but absolutely cheering at the end! If you read one story to your children at Christmas which absolutely invokes the spirit of the season, this should be it. At under 100 pages it is ideal to be read aloud to children of 4+.
December 11, 2025
Every Christmas I check this out of the library to read to my kids. It is super sweet and heartwarming.
UPDATE: Now I just read this to myself.
Another update: I own my own copy, read it to myself each December, and it makes me feel like Christmas all over. This last time I read it, it inspired me to get up and make chocolate cookies with peppermint topping for my family. The story has nothing to do with making cookies, but it just felt like the loving thing to do. 🥰
UPDATE: Now I just read this to myself.
Another update: I own my own copy, read it to myself each December, and it makes me feel like Christmas all over. This last time I read it, it inspired me to get up and make chocolate cookies with peppermint topping for my family. The story has nothing to do with making cookies, but it just felt like the loving thing to do. 🥰
February 23, 2009
This edition is in a picture book format with illustrations by Barbara Cooney. It's nice but my favorite (and the one I read when I was seven) is in a chapter book binding with illustrations by Adrienne Adams. I scour antique stores for these older copies to add to my collection (is it weird to want multiple copies of the same book?) This is a Christmas story, a story of belonging, a story of loss and finding, a story of family. As a kid reading this book, it captured for me the power of being wanted and loved. My paperback copy that I first read is falling apart...but it still delivers the same delicious feeling of joy.
Favorite quote:
"All day long people were coming in and out of the toy shop. Mr. Blossom and Peter were so busy they could hardly snatch a cup of tea."
Don't you hate days like that? So busy you can hardly snatch a cup of tea? A good day is with a great book and a whole pot of tea! (And maybe some toast and jam to go with it!!)
Favorite quote:
"All day long people were coming in and out of the toy shop. Mr. Blossom and Peter were so busy they could hardly snatch a cup of tea."
Don't you hate days like that? So busy you can hardly snatch a cup of tea? A good day is with a great book and a whole pot of tea! (And maybe some toast and jam to go with it!!)
December 6, 2022
Short Movie of the Book : https://youtu.be/a07BhYNnaUk
4 stars.
This story ended with me having a smile on my face. I love these old fashioned type books. Such a lovely Christmas tale.
Re-read 7th December 2022
Still such a lovely little story. My copy even has that particular old book smell 🥰
4 stars.
This story ended with me having a smile on my face. I love these old fashioned type books. Such a lovely Christmas tale.
Re-read 7th December 2022
Still such a lovely little story. My copy even has that particular old book smell 🥰
January 10, 2010
A beautiful story about wishing ... which is really childlike-prayer, or the prayer of the innocent. Holly, a little doll, looking for a girl to love her and Ivy, an orphan girl looking for a home (and a doll of course too!) are inevitably brought together in this charming and timeless Christmas tale for all ages.
December 6, 2022
This sweet Christmas story is one of my favorites! An orphan girl is the very last child left at the orphanage on Christmas Eve and is put on a train to go spend Christmas with someone unknown. She misses her stop and gets off in a town decorated for Christmas. It’s snowing and very cold and she has nowhere to go. Loved it. Made into a holiday special and I enjoyed it so much.
December 18, 2008
What a sweet, beautiful story! All about the magic of wishing, and of love and belonging.
The edition I read is quite old, 1950s, and has soft, old-fashioned illustrations by Adrienne Adams.
The edition I read is quite old, 1950s, and has soft, old-fashioned illustrations by Adrienne Adams.
December 21, 2024
A very sweet Christmas story! The illustrations by Barbara Cooney are gorgeous and cozy.
July 18, 2010
Although this is a 32 page long picture book, it’s text heavy, so it’s actually a fairly long story for a picture book.
This is my new favorite Christmas story. I’m not big on gooey holiday stories, or holiday stories in general, but I just loved this.
I appreciated how the doll and the six year old girl are both important characters.
This is a sweet story about wishing for and finding a loving home, wishing and finding for both doll and girl.
The illustrations are just lovely. Every detail is wonderful. It’s fun to look at all the toys, but every setting is just wonderful: the orphanage, the train ride, the town, the store, the couple’s home.
This would make an ideal gift book for Christmas, or for any occasion.
This is my new favorite Christmas story. I’m not big on gooey holiday stories, or holiday stories in general, but I just loved this.
I appreciated how the doll and the six year old girl are both important characters.
This is a sweet story about wishing for and finding a loving home, wishing and finding for both doll and girl.
The illustrations are just lovely. Every detail is wonderful. It’s fun to look at all the toys, but every setting is just wonderful: the orphanage, the train ride, the town, the store, the couple’s home.
This would make an ideal gift book for Christmas, or for any occasion.
September 24, 2025
A very heartwarming, moving, and emotional book about an orphan who finds her family. Rumer Godden is one the authors I usually visit and Barbara Cooney is a very special and loved illustrator at our house.
P.S. I somehow started to miss my old doll... Maybe I could find a similar one.
P.S. I somehow started to miss my old doll... Maybe I could find a similar one.
November 15, 2022
A lovely Christmas story--which had no right making me this teary before Christmas! A nice, slow book perfect for the fireside on Christmas Eve, or around the tree after a hearty feast.
November 27, 2018
The Story of Holly and Ivy, illustrated by Adrienne Adams.
I have always loved Rumer Godden's The Story of Holly and Ivy, a delightful little Christmas tale in which a lonely doll named Holly, and a lonelier orphan named Ivy, find one another and a home, all thanks to the magic of the season. But as I was rereading it this Christmas Eve past, it suddenly occurred to me that this wasn't the story of two lonely souls, but of three. Which, if you've read the book, might seem obvious. How odd that, as a younger reader, I breezed on past Mrs. Jones, and her quiet longing for a child, concentrating more on Holly and Ivy, whereas this time around, Mrs. Jones' narrative seemed particularly poignant to me.
It's a testament to Godden's skill as an author, I think, that this brief early reader/chapter-book - only sixty-four pages - can feel so fresh, after being read so many times, and still have something new to offer, upon each successive reading. The illustrations in my vintage edition were done by Adrienne Adams (as opposed to the more recent version with artwork by Barbara Cooney), and have a soft, dreamy quality that greatly enhances the charm of the story. I think my favorite is the end-paper illustration, with the bare tree standing in the village square!
All in all, The Story of Holly and Ivy is a sweet little holiday tale, one I would recommend to little girls who love doll stories, to young readers who enjoy magical Christmas adventures, or to Adrienne Adams fans.
I have always loved Rumer Godden's The Story of Holly and Ivy, a delightful little Christmas tale in which a lonely doll named Holly, and a lonelier orphan named Ivy, find one another and a home, all thanks to the magic of the season. But as I was rereading it this Christmas Eve past, it suddenly occurred to me that this wasn't the story of two lonely souls, but of three. Which, if you've read the book, might seem obvious. How odd that, as a younger reader, I breezed on past Mrs. Jones, and her quiet longing for a child, concentrating more on Holly and Ivy, whereas this time around, Mrs. Jones' narrative seemed particularly poignant to me.
It's a testament to Godden's skill as an author, I think, that this brief early reader/chapter-book - only sixty-four pages - can feel so fresh, after being read so many times, and still have something new to offer, upon each successive reading. The illustrations in my vintage edition were done by Adrienne Adams (as opposed to the more recent version with artwork by Barbara Cooney), and have a soft, dreamy quality that greatly enhances the charm of the story. I think my favorite is the end-paper illustration, with the bare tree standing in the village square!
All in all, The Story of Holly and Ivy is a sweet little holiday tale, one I would recommend to little girls who love doll stories, to young readers who enjoy magical Christmas adventures, or to Adrienne Adams fans.
July 5, 2017
Another lovely piece of children's literature.
It is a lovey story for the season of Christmas. No regrets that I have read it out of season. It is a small gem that can be brushed quickly every Christmas season.
It is about an orphan girl who longs for a small toy to chase away the emptiness that occasionally wells up within her and searches for a family that will take her during the lovely season of Christmas. By now you would have guessed the story and the possible ending. There is no prize for guessing that. But the presentation is just lovely. It is a story for children between 5 and 8. From that perspective it is a superbly written story. It will make for a lovely bed time reading to small girls in the season of Christmas.
The message of the book: Always wish for something good and wish for it with whole heart. t will certainly come to pass. It might look far fetched and unrealistic. But the story will certainly succeed to instill positive attitudes in a person from his/her childhood. That, I think, is a great achievement by Rumer Godden.
It is a lovey story for the season of Christmas. No regrets that I have read it out of season. It is a small gem that can be brushed quickly every Christmas season.
It is about an orphan girl who longs for a small toy to chase away the emptiness that occasionally wells up within her and searches for a family that will take her during the lovely season of Christmas. By now you would have guessed the story and the possible ending. There is no prize for guessing that. But the presentation is just lovely. It is a story for children between 5 and 8. From that perspective it is a superbly written story. It will make for a lovely bed time reading to small girls in the season of Christmas.
The message of the book: Always wish for something good and wish for it with whole heart. t will certainly come to pass. It might look far fetched and unrealistic. But the story will certainly succeed to instill positive attitudes in a person from his/her childhood. That, I think, is a great achievement by Rumer Godden.
December 12, 2019
What a beautiful story! It's a new-to-us favourite. I'm so glad we bought a hardcover version for our family.
April 19, 2017
Sweet enough to melt the heart of a curmudgeonly atheist. Much honor to Godden's magic way with words, and Barbara Cooney's pictures certainly helped the edition I read.
December 29, 2023
3.5⭐️
An unrealistic, yet cute Christmas story of a holiday doll in a toy shop window, an spunky orphaned girl and a family yearning for a child.
An unrealistic, yet cute Christmas story of a holiday doll in a toy shop window, an spunky orphaned girl and a family yearning for a child.
December 30, 2025
ohhhh -simply splendid! a must read each Advent!
another read aloud (5th) for 2025-2026 edu year.
another read aloud (5th) for 2025-2026 edu year.
November 15, 2020
Read with my granddaughter - a sweet and happy Christmas story for all ages!
March 10, 2016
I love this story. Beautiful Christmas tale of love, magic, and the power of hope. Add talking dolls, a snowstorm, and stunningly gorgeous illustrations, and you know you've got something special.
December 7, 2020
The illustrations are the best part of this book. I really like Barbara Cooney’s artwork.
However, the storyline just wasn’t what I thought it would be. For one, the story is much longer than you would think for a book that looks like a children’s picture book. Two, the story itself is a bit odd. It’s all about the dolls and toys wishing, and a little orphaned girl who ran way wishing and because of their wishing things happen. There was an element of the story that was sweet, but overall it just isn’t one I’d really be interested in reading again.
However, the storyline just wasn’t what I thought it would be. For one, the story is much longer than you would think for a book that looks like a children’s picture book. Two, the story itself is a bit odd. It’s all about the dolls and toys wishing, and a little orphaned girl who ran way wishing and because of their wishing things happen. There was an element of the story that was sweet, but overall it just isn’t one I’d really be interested in reading again.
December 26, 2017
A beautiful Christmas story about a doll who needs a person and an orphan who wants a doll.
December 26, 2020
The story is fabulous and the art is lovely!
April 12, 2020
Holly and ivy is truly a wonderful book I loved reading it😀
November 21, 2011
It was ok. I liked the illustrations the most. The story was a bit weak and a little creepy. This girl pretty much runs away from an orphanage to find her non-existent grandmother in a town that she's not even sure really exists. So she's wandering around in the cold looking for a house with a tree and no children. And... the lady, her "grandmother", buys a tree and everything and then decides that they need children in the house. I mean... it's a loose story at best but the idea was in the right place.
January 2, 2026
A short and sweet Christmas story, but I can’t help but compare it to a work of Godden’s I much prefer, The Dolls’ House, in which the climactic scene occurs at Christmas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews