The Christmas Doll

by Elvira Woodruff

Set in England in the nineteenth century, two orphaned sisters face an uncertain future after escaping the harsh environment of the workhouse, yet after an encounter with a generous young girl, the sisters are suddenly led down a path that will forever alter their lives in a positive way.

Genres: Christmas, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Audiobook, Holiday, Middle Grade

151 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Elvira Woodruff is an American children's author known for blending fantasy and history in her stories. Born in Somerville, New Jersey, she studied English literature at Adelphi and Boston University. Before becoming a writer, she worked a variety of jobs and later found inspiration while working as a librarian in Easton, Pennsylvania. Woodruff has published numerous children's books, including George Washington's Socks, The Memory Coat, and Dear Levi. Her work has been praised for its engaging storytelling and historical depth. Throughout her career, she has created imaginative, heartfelt stories that continue to captivate young readers.

Reviews

[Julie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you can imagine the Miss Dashwoods, of Sense and Sensibility, having been thrown out onto the streets of London as destitute children, rather than adults, you can begin to imagine this read.

Lucy and Glory are the sisters in this story, and, like the Dashwood sisters, their social status changes overnight. They go from having a family, to having only each other, and there's a bond between them that does not have an equal at the “public workhouse for orphans at Grimstone Union.”

The 10-year-old Lucy and 6-year-old Glory are devoted to one another, yet, Lucy, as the older sister, has the heavier burden of responsibility. Lucy strives to fill in the blanks for little Glory, lifting her spirits, and then, after they have fled the workhouse for orphans, she has the more challenging job of keeping her little sister alive and fed.

I've had the good fortune in my life to have an older sister who has so often been “the responsible one,” and I have always been a sucker for solid “sister act” stories. To this day, that scene between Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, in Ang Lee's version of “Sense and Sensibility,” when Marianne is very ill and Elinor says to her “do not leave me here alone” absolutely wrecks me and leaves me gasping with sobs.

There is something so primal about sibling relationships. Yes, you always know where to “slip the knife” when you sometimes revert back to those early roles, but you also know how to speak a language that is unique to your household only.

I wasn't surprised to learn that the author has a close bond with her own two sisters, and it only endeared her more to me to learn that she also has a passion for doll collecting and the subject of adoption.

Those of you who know a little of my story know that two out of three of my children came to be mine by way of adoption, and I'm a fierce advocate on the topic.

I knew, from a young age, that I would adopt someday (though I had no idea I'd do it twice), and I'm happy to report that one of my daughters was the audience for this story. She was almost beside herself, with anticipation, determined to know that these two sisters were going to find their way to a proper home. (The five stars are hers).

It's exciting to think that this chapter book, published in 2000, may become a holiday classic someday.

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

While many if not most of the general themes of this slight little story, of Elvira Woodruff's The Christmas Doll are indeed interesting enough, and while it does paint a generally realistic enough picture of poverty and workhouse conditions of/in late 19th century London, the story itself is just much too melodramatic and implausible for my own personal tastes. For the painful and heartbreaking reality of the two orphaned sisters' in all ways massively desperate plight is in my humble opinion rather trivialised and with that also much diluted by the fact that they very smoothly and seamlessly manage to escape from the workhouse, almost immediately find a trusty friend and then of course a sympathetic doll-making spinster to adopt them (and thus The Christmas Doll feels more like one is reading a fantasy, a fairy tale, than reality, and while I do think that author Elvira Woodruff actually seems to consider her story as a piece of reality, perhaps feel-good reality, but reality all the same, personally, I simply cannot see and feel this all that much myself). That being said, I was still considering ranking The Christmas Doll with a low three star rating until I stumbled upon the epilogue (which is not only saccharine sweet to the extreme and even more implausible than the main body of the narrative, but also reads at least to me, as something more akin and alike to a homily or church sermon). And thus, while The Christmas Doll might well be of interest and enjoyable to those who like so-called doll fiction and totally feel-good Christmas stories, for a tale that on the surface appears to strive to be realistic, to and for me, The Christmas Doll is simply much too sugar-coated, too good to be true to be more than a two star reading experience at best.

[Tatevik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming and a very emotional story about two orphaned sisters and a very special doll.
I have a doll kept unopened in her box for a long time from childhood. During the whole story I had this idea that I want to find her a little girl for whom the doll will mean a world!

Listened to the audiobook version and I cried during the last several chapters. I want a hard copy of this for sure.

P.S. Wow, I would have sworn this story is from the early 1900s... This was published in 2000.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to my daughter, I would perhaps rate 3 but she thought nearer 4 stars. This book had all the ingredients we love for a story, orphans, escape from cruel orphanage, dolls, christmas, happy ending etc, but it was so short, and events happened in a quick and predictable way. The escape from the orphanage was decided and then they escaped. We would have liked to have been on the edge of our seats a bit, enjoying their planning and wondering if they would make it. There are some parts where the girls act selflessly that are unrealistic and bordering on the nauseating. There were some historical inaccuracies and I was suprised that someone called someone else a tosspot, I can only assume this has a different meaning in the US !

This book felt like it was a rough draft of what could be quite a fun story, but really needed filling out with lots more detail and day to day life. We liked the idea of the doll shop though and lots of reviews are really positive about this book.

[Haley Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little book with a good ending. It felt like a Dickens book compressed into 3 hours.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

nrtc

5+ stars & 7/10 hearts. Awwww, this story was too sweet! I was left in tears at the end. It was so real and pathetic and heart-tugging. I really loved the little ones, and the shop workers, and Miss Thimblebee, and almost everyone, in fact, except for the House people. *shudders* I was so hooked that I read this unusually fast, so I don't remember much. I'll update this review soon! In the meantime, rest assured that it's one of the best Christmas stories ever!! <33

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
My heart goes out to these two sisters, and though the beginning is a bit hard to read because of the harsh conditions, the middle of the book begins to warm things, and by the end a cozy feeling leaves me satisfied.

There really isn’t any “magical powers” in this story. And it’s not a Christian book, so the true story of Christmas is not very well presented. However there is a good message about Christmas. The two sisters, Lucy and Glory are both so sweet and kind. It is a tender story of hardship, friendship, and family.

[Lovely Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

What a tenderly sweet story of two orphan sisters who find themselves hungry, sick, and on the streets at Christmas time.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy is terrified that her little sister, Glory, will die of the sickness that is infecting everyone at the orphan's home. After several children die, Lucy decides that they have to escape. It would be better to live penniless and hungry on the streets than be exposed to the sickness. In the midst of the winter cold, Lucy cheers her little sister with stories of a beautiful doll, Morning Glory, until one day they find an old doll among the trash of the river.

This was such a sweet story! I really loved the close relationship between the two sisters. They are so affectionate and generous to each other. They learn to be resilient on the streets and they are willing to do any honest work to earn a few pennies.

I felt like the plot took too much time with the scenes of the girls on the streets, and not enough time with other parts of the story. I would have appreciated a little more development with the latter portion of the story and the supporting characters that they meet later on. The connections that the girls forge with some of those characters felt a little rushed.

The writing style is enchanting! I love the little details in each scene that make the story come alive.

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a yearly read for me and it leaves me with a smile on my face each time I turn that last page! I always wish the story were more drawn out because I think it has the potential to be an even more influential novel about Christmas spirit and overcoming hardship.

[Reham La-yramo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I ever bought...I think I was in grade four...I still remember every page clearly because I read over 10 times... it's very inspiring and sad at the same time... I cried through the while book because it was just so touching.
I love how lucy describes the little things that are so important to her being and orphan and her love towards her sister is what gave them the will to survive the cold London streets.
My dad has donated away my copy of this book :( I'd pay anything to have a copy now

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming. Classic. Beautiful.

[Alleluialu · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter told me I should read this book last year when I was doing the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge, but I never got to it. So, I decided to read it this year. It is the story of two orphan girls who escape the workhouse and live on the streets in the city. The elder, Lucy, got a job at a doll's shop when she went in to try to sell a doll she had found in the mud. She happened to be wearing her sister Glory's apron upon which she had stitched a little Morning Glory flower. The shopkeeper noticed the flower and was convinced that Lucy had talent for stitching and could be their Hearts Girl for the Christmas season. I know I have told a bit about the story, but there is so much more to tell. It's a sad, but sweet story about the sisters' love for each other and the hope that kept them alive. I know it is a children's book, but it was such a satisfying read for this Christmas season.

[Gina House · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, so sweet!!! I was lucky enough to have an audio book to listen to while I was decorating my house for Christmas. The story was so very touching, sweet, and full of Christmas spirit that, as soon as I was done listening, I ordered the book immediately to add to my collection.

The narrator of this book has a lovely, calm voice and did a fantastic job with the different voices of the characters. It's a shame that this book was only a few hours long because I enjoyed it so much. I'm hoping that the book that I ordered also has some illustrations included because that is the only thing that the experience of this book was missing.

If you love Victorian era books with a hopeful and loving message (or even if you just love dolls), this book is worth reading. It's small, but powerful and extremely Christmas-y.

The Christmas Doll will now be a permanent addition to my yearly Christmas reads! Highly recommended!

[Tisha (IG: Bluestocking629) · Rating 5 out of 5]

While extremely predictable it was a very sweet story with an all too forgotten message: 'tis better to give than receive.

It's a pretty sad story throughout most of the book. I don't have kids so I can't say if it's too sad for certain ages but be cautious.

Enjoyable Christmas read.

[Tri✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Doll by Elvira Woodruff is a sweet and hopeful holiday story that follows Lucy and Glory, two orphaned sisters facing hardships in Victorian London. Despite their struggles, their love for each other shines brightly throughout the narrative—it's truly beautiful! When they discover a broken doll, it becomes a small spark of hope and comfort in their challenging world.

Every word in this story is carefully crafted to tug at your heartstrings. Stories like this have a special kind of magic—full of wonder and warmth that stays with you no matter how old you get. I don’t think I could ever stop loving them. 

[Magen - Inquiring Professional Dog Trainer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up because I like how the ending was a little bit different than I expected.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply delightful! I wanted a short Christmas book to listen to and finding this free one on audible did not disappoint.

[Carrie Brownell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this one up at a used bookstore on a whim and I'm so glad that I did! It tells the story of two sisters, Lucy and Glory, orphans who live in a workhouse near London. The two girls face illness and separation if they do not escape so they run away, eventually finding work and a new home.

This is a good story to read right before you read "A Christmas Carol" as it better describes the "surplus population" situation which is referenced by Scrooge. Ultimately it's a feel good story with its own happy ending.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children's book (possibly intended for ages 8-14). Won at a library giveaway as an adult so I read it! It is a beautiful, heartwarming story and I will save it for my kids to read when they were older! Definitely recommend it!

[Ashley Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

We (myself and my three daughters) read this book each Christmas season. It’s a sweet story of sacrificial love and God’s provision for two orphaned sisters.

[Rosemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little book for anyone who loves dolls. I have always loved dolls. One thing I hate, in recent times, is an element in the horror genre that paints old dolls as creepy or scary. That's just not right! The Christmas Doll is a story that puts dolls in their honored place in little girls lives.

Lucy is 10 and Glory is 6. They are orphans living in a workhouse that has conditions just as bad or even worse, if you can imagine it, than the school in Jane Eyre! The author really goes overboard showing us just how miserable their lives are. Then, when a fever sweeps the house and several girls die - also just like in Jane Eyre - Lucy feels they must leave. She just can't bear the thought of losing Glory. Her sister is all she has in the world, and Glory already has a cough that is very concerning.

Once they are on the street, things seem to get even worse for a while, but then, finally, their luck changes. They find an old doll in the mud by the river who fits the description of a doll that Lucy has been telling Glory stories of to cheer her. Lucy barely remembers their parents but embellishes stories to entertain Glory. Now, one of those stories has come true.

A doll, called Morning Glory, was "lost" when they left their home and came to the work house. But Lucy assures Glory that she will find her again - when she least expects it. Well, Glory is absolutely sure that this discarded, muddy doll is Morning Glory.

It's really so sweet to see how much in love with this doll Glory is. Dolls can mean so much to little girls, I know because I was a little girl once, and I can relate to the feelings.

However, Lucy knows that she made the story up. She also knows that they need to find a way to eat and survive on the street. They were looking in the mud by the river to find things to sell for money to buy food. So, when Glory is sleeping, Lucy finds a doll shop and sells the doll for a penny, which seems like a lot of money to Lucy. However, it is her encounter with the doll shop owner that causes things to finally turn around for the sisters. Thank God. I was feeling that things were so bad for so long I just couldn't stop reading until they seemed like they would get better. It was just awful, the grim picture that Woodruff paints.

I do however, LOVE the descriptions of the doll shop and the lovely dolls that Lucy sees there.

The ending is happy, but there is one part that I wish could have been different. I guess I understand why it was not, but still! It was a bit disappointing, IMHO.

Overall, this was a lovely little story, a very quick read that I recommend to all doll lovers out there.

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book is aimed at younger readers, the story is so incredibly charming that it can be enjoyed by anyone.

The book does include some tougher situations such as orphaned children, homelessness, and death), it is ultimately about love, hope, and joy.

The main characters in the book are Glory and Lucy, orphaned sisters. Although their lives are bleak, their shared memories of a special doll called Morning Glory brings a smile to their faces despite their bleak circumstances. The girls live in a workhouse, where a deadly fever breaks out. They escape to living on the streets of London.

One day they come across a very battered old doll that they begin to believe is the once-beautiful Morning Glory of their memories. Little do they know that Morning Glory isn't your run-of-the-mill lifeless doll - she is something quite magical who will change their lives.

This little book will capture you and pull at your heartstrings every which way. This would be a fantastic book to read to a child in the days before Christmas over a cup of hot chocolate.

[Erica Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

My girls and I really enjoyed reading this together. Set in 19th century London, this story follows two young orphaned sisters who find themselves alone and attempting to survive on the streets. The starkness of their situation could be scary for some kids but my girls loved it. Recommended for 6-10 year olds.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story of two sisters just trying to survive. It has all the elements of a magical Christmas story. However, I listened to this as an audiobook and couldn’t really focus so I may have enjoyed it a little more if I had read a hard copy.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4 1/2 stars - if Charles Dickens and Jane Austen had a Christmas book baby, this would be it. Heartwarming, quick and compelling and with such lovable characters, this is a Christmas must read for lovers of classics.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps a bit unrealistic - two young girls escape a London workhouse and after living on the streets in the winter's cold, they have a lucky turn. But it made a cozy read aloud and my 6 and 8 year olds enjoyed it.

[Michelle Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very excellent Christmas story! Highly recommend! Would give it more stars if possible!

[Kristin DeLoach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very surprised to find this is not an old book. It is a wonderfully written story set in the Victorian era. I thought it was genuinely written in the Victorian era. It felt like a gentler Dickens’ story for children. This should definitely be a Christmas classic.

[Rachel {bibliopals} · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 sweet Christmas story