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Merry, Rose, and Christmas-Tree June
Jane's rich great-aunt takes her to the nicest doll store in town. Jane can choose the doll she wants. Will she choose Bella Ballerina, the doll who can dance on her toes? Hairiette, who can change the way she wears her hair? Tillie Talkie? Irene-and-Her-Sewing-Machine? What about that forgotten doll, sitting high on a shelf with the left-over Christmas tree balls? She can't do anything. She doesn't even have a name. Jane wouldn't want that doll -- would she? Drawings by Edward Gorey.
78 pages, Library Binding
First published June 1, 1969
55 people want to read
About the author
Doris Orgel
70 books10 followersDoris Orgel is a children's writer. She was born in Vienna, Austria. As a child, she and her family fled to Yugoslavia and finally the U.S. during the rise of the Nazi party in Europe. She attended Radcliffe College from 1946 too 1948, and graduated cum laude from Barnard College in 1950.
In her career, Ms. Orgel has written and translated several fairy and folk tales, as well as served as a translator for other authors. Prior to her work as a children's writer, Orgel was in magazine and book publishing. Her first original book, Sarah’s Room (1963) was published under the pseudonym Doris Adelberg. It was also republished in England and in Switzerland in German. In 1960, Ms. Orgel received the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for her translation of Willhelm Hauff's Dwarf Long-Nose (1960). Her book The Devil in Vienna (1978) received a Phoenix Award Honor in 1998. Ms. Orgel has also worked as a children’s book reviewer for "The New York Times".
She is married to Dr. Shelley Orgel; has three children: Paul, Laura, and Jeremy; two daughters-in-law: Sharon Lamb and Ling Chen Orgel; three grandchildren: Willy, Jennifer, and Julian; and three granddogs: Woof, Buster, and Otto. She lives in New York City.
For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/doris-orgel
In her career, Ms. Orgel has written and translated several fairy and folk tales, as well as served as a translator for other authors. Prior to her work as a children's writer, Orgel was in magazine and book publishing. Her first original book, Sarah’s Room (1963) was published under the pseudonym Doris Adelberg. It was also republished in England and in Switzerland in German. In 1960, Ms. Orgel received the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for her translation of Willhelm Hauff's Dwarf Long-Nose (1960). Her book The Devil in Vienna (1978) received a Phoenix Award Honor in 1998. Ms. Orgel has also worked as a children’s book reviewer for "The New York Times".
She is married to Dr. Shelley Orgel; has three children: Paul, Laura, and Jeremy; two daughters-in-law: Sharon Lamb and Ling Chen Orgel; three grandchildren: Willy, Jennifer, and Julian; and three granddogs: Woof, Buster, and Otto. She lives in New York City.
For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/doris-orgel
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 19, 2007
Christ, did I hate elementary school. The annoying children, bossy teachers, boring classes. Recess was particularly traumatic; who on earth wants to run around a dirt yard filled with scrap metal when they could be home, watching THE MAGIC GARDEN with a steaming cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows? Not me! Like any kid with half a brain, I feigned illness as much as possible to avoid that dreaded hell hole of a classroom.
But the one day of the year you could be sure I showed up was the day our books were delivered from The Scholastic Book Club. I remember perusing their catalogue with pursed lips, looking for books about magic and witchcraft and dolls. MERRY, ROSE, AND CHRISTMAS TREE JUNE was one of the best purchases I ever made. I carried it with me everywhere and took it on car trips. I loved its lovely pink cover and delicate pen-and-ink drawings by Edward Gorey. Plus, the story was slightly sinister...pure magic for a weird girl like me.
The book is about two dolls who come to life when humans aren't around. The dolls are named Merry and Rose, and are owned by a sweet girl named Jane. One day, Jane's great aunt decides to take Jane away for the weekend. Impatient and rude, Aunt Beulah shoves Jane into her limosine before the girl has a chance to grab her two beloved dolls.
Distraught at the prospect of spending an entire weekend sans dolls but avec a mean old hag like Beulah, Jane starts to cry. Horrified by this display of childish emotion, Beulah vows to take Jane doll shopping. Wise enough to grab a bribe when it is offered, Jane dries her tears and resolves to tough out the weekend.
After enduring a wretched dinner party filled with boring adults, Jane gets payback in the form of a luxurious shopping spree at a high-end doll boutique. She's given a choice between dancing dolls, dolls that cry, and a doll that styles her own hair. After wreaking destruction on these shoddily made hunks of junk, Jane decides that it would be best to get a regular doll like Merry and June, instead of a high-end piece of plastic that's destined for a landfill. Unfortunately, the boutique doesn't have any regular dolls...or so it seems until a cat knocks a soft bundle off a high shelf...
This story involves mystery, magic, and some truly creepy imagery. I hope there are other people who remember it as fondly as I do. As for the folks who ran the Scholastic Book Club back in the 70s, I salute you, Like any good dealer, you got me hooked at an early age, and have kept my jones going for over 30 years.
But the one day of the year you could be sure I showed up was the day our books were delivered from The Scholastic Book Club. I remember perusing their catalogue with pursed lips, looking for books about magic and witchcraft and dolls. MERRY, ROSE, AND CHRISTMAS TREE JUNE was one of the best purchases I ever made. I carried it with me everywhere and took it on car trips. I loved its lovely pink cover and delicate pen-and-ink drawings by Edward Gorey. Plus, the story was slightly sinister...pure magic for a weird girl like me.
The book is about two dolls who come to life when humans aren't around. The dolls are named Merry and Rose, and are owned by a sweet girl named Jane. One day, Jane's great aunt decides to take Jane away for the weekend. Impatient and rude, Aunt Beulah shoves Jane into her limosine before the girl has a chance to grab her two beloved dolls.
Distraught at the prospect of spending an entire weekend sans dolls but avec a mean old hag like Beulah, Jane starts to cry. Horrified by this display of childish emotion, Beulah vows to take Jane doll shopping. Wise enough to grab a bribe when it is offered, Jane dries her tears and resolves to tough out the weekend.
After enduring a wretched dinner party filled with boring adults, Jane gets payback in the form of a luxurious shopping spree at a high-end doll boutique. She's given a choice between dancing dolls, dolls that cry, and a doll that styles her own hair. After wreaking destruction on these shoddily made hunks of junk, Jane decides that it would be best to get a regular doll like Merry and June, instead of a high-end piece of plastic that's destined for a landfill. Unfortunately, the boutique doesn't have any regular dolls...or so it seems until a cat knocks a soft bundle off a high shelf...
This story involves mystery, magic, and some truly creepy imagery. I hope there are other people who remember it as fondly as I do. As for the folks who ran the Scholastic Book Club back in the 70s, I salute you, Like any good dealer, you got me hooked at an early age, and have kept my jones going for over 30 years.
December 3, 2024
Found, from a reference in another Orgel book to Cheaperthanmousetraps, the name of the cat, and enjoyed on openlibrary.org (Internet Archive). Of course the reader feels very sorry for the 'Distinguished' dolls who cannot actually play... and may realize that it's kind to feel sorry for the too-rich great-aunt, too.
But anyway, such a darling story. Highly recommended to anyone who ever loved & mothered a doll, or two or three.
Interesting choice of illustrator, though. Gorey's work adds a certain provocative depth, the unexpectedness making the reader pause & think & wonder....
But anyway, such a darling story. Highly recommended to anyone who ever loved & mothered a doll, or two or three.
Interesting choice of illustrator, though. Gorey's work adds a certain provocative depth, the unexpectedness making the reader pause & think & wonder....
February 27, 2011
I loved this book when I was a little girl. The title stuck with me all these years. I am pleasantly surprised to see it was illustrated by Edward Gorey!
June 14, 2017
I adore this sweet little story!
January 1, 2020
Distracted by the holidays and the need to crochet many Baby Yodas, I fell behind on my reading and had one more book to read for my 2019 challenge. Being home sick in New Year’s Eve, I decided that it would be therapeutic to revisit a childhood favorite to complete my challenge.
I love this book for many reasons:
1. I was obsessed with “plain” dolls as a child and this book speaks to me.
2. It was one of the first books I remember helping me learn something about people, specifically adults - they can be kind when it matters even when they seem like bragging jerks.
2. Illustrations by Edward Gorey
I love this book for many reasons:
1. I was obsessed with “plain” dolls as a child and this book speaks to me.
2. It was one of the first books I remember helping me learn something about people, specifically adults - they can be kind when it matters even when they seem like bragging jerks.
2. Illustrations by Edward Gorey
December 23, 2013
One of my all-time favorite books as a little girl. It's funny what sticks with you but the pathos of these abandoned dolls has never left my memory. I felt compelled to buy a used copy of it online today so I could relive the experience. Great story, Edward Gorey illustrations - what's not to love?
February 14, 2008
Becky and Lydia are currently in love with this, one of my childhood favs.
September 5, 2020
A favorite from my childhood!
November 15, 2016
Doris Orgel was born in Vienna, Austria, and later came to the United States, graduating from Barnard College. She has been a translator and is the author of a number of children’s books, including Cindy’s Snowdrops, Cindy’s Sand and Happy Tree and In a Forgotten Place for Knopf.
She and her husband live in Connecticut with two sons and a daughter.
Published in 1969.
More than anything in the world, Jane wanted a doll for Christmas. She already had seven
dolls from her great aunt Beulah Briggs. But these dolls were stiff and stately in fancy clothes
and lace. They were meant to be displayed on a shelf and not played with. This was no fun
for Jane. Jane went to Bower’s Toy Store with her mother and looked at dolls. She found one with brown braids just like Jane. The other doll had black hair. They wore simple cotton dresses that
you can take off, wash, iron and put on again. Jane wanted these dolls. Her parents bought
them for her and gave them to her for Christmas. She named them Rose and Merry.
The next day Jane went to stay overnight at her Great aunt Briggs house. The house was very rich and fancy. The problem was that Jane had forgotten to bring along her dolls Rose and Merry.
Her Great Aunt Briggs takes her the next day to I. Greedy’s Dollarama. They have dolls there
that can ballet dance, talk & Police dolls. Jane wants something more ordinary.
Will she find another doll?
This is an excellent children’s book. I highly recommend it.
#books #review #Doris Orgel
June 29, 2013
I read this book as a 7- or 8-year-old and I was absolutely obsessed with all stories involving dolls. I'd reenact them with my own precious toys, me as the main protagonist, as a child does. This book was a great one. I can't explain what I liked about it specifically, but it was just a feel-good book that I loved to read.
August 1, 2013
I loved this book as a kid! I am surprised to find it here - now I NEED to go buy a copy of it. (done!). I have remembered this for years & think of cats as cheaper-then-mousetraps all the time! I had forgotten most of the story, just that I liked it. I am happy to have it now.
May 28, 2011
One of my favorite Scholastic books...still have it!
January 29, 2013
I read this book as a child in the 70s . Now my daughter is reading it and asked for more by the same author. We will be reading more of her titles soon.
June 27, 2019
Oh my gosh, for about 20 years I've been searching for this book without knowing the title! Just "doll' and "rose".... Yay, found it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews