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Doll-E 1.0
A STEM-friendly tale of a girl and the doll she upgrades to be her new friend, for fans of The Most Magnificent Thing and Rosie Revere, Engineer.
Charlotte's world is fully charged! With her dog at her side, she's always tinkering, coding, clicking, and downloading. She's got a knack for anything technological--especially gadgets that her parents don't know how to fix! Then, she receives a new toy that is quite a puzzle: a doll! What's she supposed to do with that? Once she discovers the doll's hidden battery pack, things start to get interesting...while her faithful canine sidekick wonders if he'll be overshadowed by the new and improved Doll-E 1.0! With a little ingenuity and an open mind, everyone can be friends in this endearing, modern tribute to the creative spirit of play.
Charlotte's world is fully charged! With her dog at her side, she's always tinkering, coding, clicking, and downloading. She's got a knack for anything technological--especially gadgets that her parents don't know how to fix! Then, she receives a new toy that is quite a puzzle: a doll! What's she supposed to do with that? Once she discovers the doll's hidden battery pack, things start to get interesting...while her faithful canine sidekick wonders if he'll be overshadowed by the new and improved Doll-E 1.0! With a little ingenuity and an open mind, everyone can be friends in this endearing, modern tribute to the creative spirit of play.
34 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
January 5, 2020
A tech-savvy young girl named Charlotte is given a traditional cloth doll by her mother in this debut picture-book from author/illustrator Shanda McCloskey. At first she isn't quite sure what to do with a plaything that isn't a gadget. Her attempts at make-believe games don't seem to work. Then she discovers that the doll can say "ma-ma," which means that it must have a power supply. Suddenly, the doll has possibilities - it can be remade, in a more technological mode. But will the girl's dog be as happy with the results as she will...?
Although there were definitely things about DOLL-E 1.0 that I appreciated - namely, the fun artwork, and the depiction of a technology-loving young girl with a knack for invention and a can-do attitude - I finished it feeling somewhat ambivalent about the message it is sending, regarding the desirability of always being "plugged in" to our technological devices. I suspect that McCloskey was going for a "these new-fangled toys are just like the ones that went before" feeling, when it comes to the child's demonstration of imagination and ingenuity in using them. Unfortunately, I think that this is undermined by the fact that Charlotte doesn't really succeed in playing with the doll, until it is made more technological, suggesting that she is incapable of play, unless gadgetry is involved. I'm not interested in any kind of false "technology vs. creativity" dichotomy, since I do believe that creativity is required for technological advances, but I would have liked to have seen something a little more balanced here, something that suggests that while our gadgets are lots of fun (both to play with, and to create), they aren't the only source of entertainment, and aren't necessary to have fun. Given my reservations about the message it is sending, I don't really recommend this one, although I do feel (as mentioned above) that it has some good qualities.
Although there were definitely things about DOLL-E 1.0 that I appreciated - namely, the fun artwork, and the depiction of a technology-loving young girl with a knack for invention and a can-do attitude - I finished it feeling somewhat ambivalent about the message it is sending, regarding the desirability of always being "plugged in" to our technological devices. I suspect that McCloskey was going for a "these new-fangled toys are just like the ones that went before" feeling, when it comes to the child's demonstration of imagination and ingenuity in using them. Unfortunately, I think that this is undermined by the fact that Charlotte doesn't really succeed in playing with the doll, until it is made more technological, suggesting that she is incapable of play, unless gadgetry is involved. I'm not interested in any kind of false "technology vs. creativity" dichotomy, since I do believe that creativity is required for technological advances, but I would have liked to have seen something a little more balanced here, something that suggests that while our gadgets are lots of fun (both to play with, and to create), they aren't the only source of entertainment, and aren't necessary to have fun. Given my reservations about the message it is sending, I don't really recommend this one, although I do feel (as mentioned above) that it has some good qualities.
September 2, 2019
Okay, I'll admit that I was annoyed by the parents in this one. Charlotte is a tech genius, and she'd rather be building something than playing with dolls. But her parents, influenced by the news, think she might be "too techy", so they buy her a baby doll and try to shoehorn her into outdated gender stereotypes. (Nice.) To her credit, though, Charlotte is having none of it. She's not interested in playing with the doll... until she realizes it talks, and therefore has some kind of circuitry. Then she gets interested and makes plans to improve the doll's language database. But when her dog, Blutooth, gets jealous, Charlotte ends up having to make more improvements than she thought... leading to her spending even more time on her "techy" pursuits. Sorry, Mom and Dad; your plan kind of backfired.
The illustrations are really cute here. And I love the fact that Charlotte didn't give in to parental pressure. If I have one minor quibble, it's that the rebuilt doll would be Doll-E 2.0... right? In any case, it's a fun story that shows a little girl flourishing in her STEM interests and not getting caught up in society's gender stereotypes. (Her parents should pay more attention to her and less to the news!)
Quotable moment:
The illustrations are really cute here. And I love the fact that Charlotte didn't give in to parental pressure. If I have one minor quibble, it's that the rebuilt doll would be Doll-E 2.0... right? In any case, it's a fun story that shows a little girl flourishing in her STEM interests and not getting caught up in society's gender stereotypes. (Her parents should pay more attention to her and less to the news!)
Quotable moment:
January 14, 2020
Tech-savvy Charlotte is taken aback when her mother presents her with a doll . . . a doll that doesn't do anything other than say "Mama." (Charlotte's response is priceless - "How could I be your mama? I'm just a kid.") Not knowing what else to do with this "human-shaped pillow," our intrepid scientist sets about upgrading her pig-tailed "experiment." A cute story, AND, I really liked both Charlotte's blue hair, and the author's illustrations.
April 30, 2018
This one leaves me ambivalent. I love Charlotte's creative and inventive spirit, but why does she have to turn the doll into a gadget before she can enjoy it? How about just some imaginative, non-technological play?
March 27, 2018
Sometimes you feel like reading a super cute picture book haha 😂😂
July 5, 2018
This book was very cute! The art was very sketch-like and simple, but pleasant to look at. The colours were also nice to look at, with enough white spaces to not make the pages look too busy, or too full of elements. I also really like the two main messages that I took away from this book (and that I would hope children would take away when reading this book as well)! The first message that stood out to me was the positive impression that the book gives regarding girls working with technology (the main character is quite talented at working with tech, and her parents are also quite supportive of their daughter working with tech)! The other message that I took away from Doll-E 1.0 is that it’s alright for children to play with technology some of the time, but that spending some time playing outside is also important and a good thing.
This is the first time that I’ve seen a book combine the ideas of children playing with technology and playing outdoors, and I have to say that this might be the most realistic suggestion / recommendation for parents and their children considering the world we live in today. Where I live, at least, children have days on which they are asked to bring their tablets to school for “Technology Day.” I don’t even own a tablet, so I feel very strange about my future children having their own tablets, but there have been cases where children were made fun of (and even bullied) for not having a table to take to school. It’s, therefore, quite important that a balance is found, and the author of Doll-E 1.0 may have come to the same conclusion!
This is the first time that I’ve seen a book combine the ideas of children playing with technology and playing outdoors, and I have to say that this might be the most realistic suggestion / recommendation for parents and their children considering the world we live in today. Where I live, at least, children have days on which they are asked to bring their tablets to school for “Technology Day.” I don’t even own a tablet, so I feel very strange about my future children having their own tablets, but there have been cases where children were made fun of (and even bullied) for not having a table to take to school. It’s, therefore, quite important that a balance is found, and the author of Doll-E 1.0 may have come to the same conclusion!
March 7, 2018
It’s techno-trouble for clever Charlotte, the heroine of McCloskey’s DOLL-E 1.0, because she doesn’t comprehend the purpose of her new toy, a doll. With her trusty canine sidekick Blutooth, Charlotte is constantly on call for fixing the gadgets and devices that break and baffle her family. However, her constant coding and tinkering spark concern from her parents, who want Charlotte to unplug a bit.
The new “human-shaped pillow” doesn’t inspire much enthusiasm until a hidden battery pack is revealed. Charlotte tackles a doll upgrade, much to Blutooth’s dismay. Will his doggie destruction thwart Charlotte’s creative coding and clicking, or will it lead to a new appreciation for her technological ingenuity?
This STEM-friendly tale will appeal to young readers who appreciate and alternate between toys with and without power buttons. McCloskey’s action-filled, colorful characters are expressive and engaging. The scratchy, sketched appearance balances a sophisticated use of cartoon-panels. Full page illustrations pace the story nicely. Speech bubbles blend dialogue smoothly with text, while
background details hint cleverly at Charlotte’s tools and organized interests. DOLL-E 1.0 is a smart, engaging and creative story with lots of contemporary charm.
The new “human-shaped pillow” doesn’t inspire much enthusiasm until a hidden battery pack is revealed. Charlotte tackles a doll upgrade, much to Blutooth’s dismay. Will his doggie destruction thwart Charlotte’s creative coding and clicking, or will it lead to a new appreciation for her technological ingenuity?
This STEM-friendly tale will appeal to young readers who appreciate and alternate between toys with and without power buttons. McCloskey’s action-filled, colorful characters are expressive and engaging. The scratchy, sketched appearance balances a sophisticated use of cartoon-panels. Full page illustrations pace the story nicely. Speech bubbles blend dialogue smoothly with text, while
background details hint cleverly at Charlotte’s tools and organized interests. DOLL-E 1.0 is a smart, engaging and creative story with lots of contemporary charm.
May 22, 2018
I like that Charlotte is tech-savvy, but why can’t the doll just be a doll? I was desperately hoping this would focus a little more on imagination and how that fuels creativity. You know, the actual power of the mind instead of just knowing how gadgets work. Instead of focusing on “I’m a girl and I can code, too” it would be great to have a book that shows technology being a tool that can be turned off. That to get ahead one doesn’t have to be constantly tuned in and turned on.
May 8, 2018
Fantastic book for STEM lovers and kids who love to tinker with their toys.
Charlotte's parents are concerned that she's a little too tech-y, so they buy her a doll.
But when she discovers the doll has batteries, she sets out to transform her "plain" doll into a wonderfully unique companion.
The kids LOVED this book and voted to give it 5 stars.
They giggled at many of the illustrations.
Charlotte's parents are concerned that she's a little too tech-y, so they buy her a doll.
But when she discovers the doll has batteries, she sets out to transform her "plain" doll into a wonderfully unique companion.
The kids LOVED this book and voted to give it 5 stars.
They giggled at many of the illustrations.
May 26, 2018
This is my new SUPERFAVORITE!!!
November 3, 2018
Very entertaining STEM-related fictional picture book about a little girl who loves to tinker and code. Concerned that Charlotte may be too technologically oriented, her parents buy her a doll. But Charlotte has no idea what to do with the doll...until she discovers it has a power supply.
To the reviewers who want the doll to be just a doll, you aren't understanding who Charlotte is, or how integral technology is to the world today. Without it, your car wouldn't function, nor would the major systems of your home. Unplugging is becoming less and less of an option, except when we are sleeping, and that will become even more true for this generation of picture book readers.
Before becoming a writer, I had a career in technology. While meeting with the directors of various IT departments within the 7,000-person company I worked in, it was very common for me to be the only female at the table. I left that career less than a decade ago. Moving forward, more and more jobs will be technology-related, and they are always the better-paying jobs. The message that it is okay for girls to be tech-savvy is extremely important for young people (not just girls either), and as far as I'm concerned, they can't hear it enough times.
The art has a sketchy but modern feel, which is enhanced further by the speech appearing within talk balloons. The color palette is full of blues, greens, grays, and purples, with the exception of the red dress on the doll.
To the reviewers who want the doll to be just a doll, you aren't understanding who Charlotte is, or how integral technology is to the world today. Without it, your car wouldn't function, nor would the major systems of your home. Unplugging is becoming less and less of an option, except when we are sleeping, and that will become even more true for this generation of picture book readers.
Before becoming a writer, I had a career in technology. While meeting with the directors of various IT departments within the 7,000-person company I worked in, it was very common for me to be the only female at the table. I left that career less than a decade ago. Moving forward, more and more jobs will be technology-related, and they are always the better-paying jobs. The message that it is okay for girls to be tech-savvy is extremely important for young people (not just girls either), and as far as I'm concerned, they can't hear it enough times.
The art has a sketchy but modern feel, which is enhanced further by the speech appearing within talk balloons. The color palette is full of blues, greens, grays, and purples, with the exception of the red dress on the doll.
June 26, 2021
I'm on the fence about Doll-E 1.0. As an educator, I see the tech-only mentality in my elementary students, though few are as competent in coding as Charlotte here. I think kids would relate to Charlotte's attitude towards her doll and her life in general (helping her parents with devices, etc.).
However, the older Millennial in me, the one who grew up with way more imaginative play than computers, realizes Charlotte represents the future that Gen Alpha is ushering in--a cohort that will not only be raised in a fully technological world (as Gen Z were), but will interact with it with a deeper purpose and sense of possibility than anyone who came before them.
However, the older Millennial in me, the one who grew up with way more imaginative play than computers, realizes Charlotte represents the future that Gen Alpha is ushering in--a cohort that will not only be raised in a fully technological world (as Gen Z were), but will interact with it with a deeper purpose and sense of possibility than anyone who came before them.
June 19, 2018
Unique combination of the stereotypically feminine and masculine to illustrate how one child can be drawn to both/all gender expressions.
August 31, 2018
This was such a cute book about how this girl engineered her new doll into a robot. I love how the author threw in STEAM and science this picture book.
January 10, 2019
Cute but not #notaclassic. used in daycare stories January 2019
June 5, 2020
Fun picture book about a young girl who loves technology. Her mother gives her a doll but she doesn’t really know how to play with it. Just as she starts to warm up to the doll, her dog tears it up but that doesn’t phase her - she modifies it to create a new doll. I loved that the protagonist is a young girl who’s tech savvy and thought this picture book was a lot of fun.
July 1, 2018
What does iGen make of esoteric low tech? They frankenstein it into something more suitable to their sensibilities.
When Charlotte’s parents hear about the dangers of too much technology for young children, they buy her a doll. At first, she is confused, frustrated, and disappointed as she attempts to play with it in her usual way. But after the doll reveals that it is a talking doll with the one word vocabulary of “mama,” Charlotte recognizes as something not wholly foreign and attempts to upgrade her doll’s software — an attempt that is tragically interrupted by her dog Bluetooth. Thanks to Charlotte’s sizable tech skills, she is able to rescue her doll from destruction by resurrecting it as a cyborg.
The message seems to be that techy children are incapable of playing unplugged. Rather than learning how to play the old-fashioned way using her own imagination, Charlotte persists until she finds a way to assimilate the doll into her high-tech world. If you're looking for a story in which someone learns to have fun without screen time and personal electronic devices, then try Unplugged.
When Charlotte’s parents hear about the dangers of too much technology for young children, they buy her a doll. At first, she is confused, frustrated, and disappointed as she attempts to play with it in her usual way. But after the doll reveals that it is a talking doll with the one word vocabulary of “mama,” Charlotte recognizes as something not wholly foreign and attempts to upgrade her doll’s software — an attempt that is tragically interrupted by her dog Bluetooth. Thanks to Charlotte’s sizable tech skills, she is able to rescue her doll from destruction by resurrecting it as a cyborg.
The message seems to be that techy children are incapable of playing unplugged. Rather than learning how to play the old-fashioned way using her own imagination, Charlotte persists until she finds a way to assimilate the doll into her high-tech world. If you're looking for a story in which someone learns to have fun without screen time and personal electronic devices, then try Unplugged.
April 15, 2018
Originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.Today's generation of children has different toys from the past days I remember. Everything today is very electronic and active. In some ways there is less imagination at play, but not completely. Doll-E 1.0 is a fun, creative, and attractive book for the electronic age child. While I have, personally, been pretty adamant about unplugged-play... my children still were able to really enjoy this book. It opened a large discussion about how their play time may look different from others that are on computers and devices all the time. They all agreed in the end, dolls (and action figures!) are worth the time to play with and they are glad that this little girl was also introduced to the world of Doll-E.
I love the illustrations and I enjoyed this little story. One for the keeper shelf, I think. This book was provided by the publisher for review. The opinion is truth and all mine.
This review was originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.
July 9, 2021
Parents, encouraged by media hype on TV, try to convince their tech-genius daughter to stop inventing and being a computer phenom and instead play with dolls. Thank goodness the girl is true enough to herself to try to turn the dull doll into something more tech-y, but the final message, "The doll had changed Charlotte," but was this really for the better?
The doll calls her "Mama" and she tends to it is a stereotypical "girl" way. For the record, I have absolutely no problem with books with stereotypical gender rolls, but somehow this rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like the message that girls should be discouraged from technological pursuits. I wonder how this book would have looked with a boy main character.
The doll calls her "Mama" and she tends to it is a stereotypical "girl" way. For the record, I have absolutely no problem with books with stereotypical gender rolls, but somehow this rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like the message that girls should be discouraged from technological pursuits. I wonder how this book would have looked with a boy main character.
January 15, 2018
Charlotte loves to build, tinker, code, and create. She is happy with technology and enjoys fixing things. When she receives a doll as a gift from her mom, she is disappointed until she realizes she can use her tinkering skills to give this doll some life. With the Makerspace Movement being embraced in schools and libraries, this is a timely, adorable picture book that should find room on shelves everywhere. The illustrations are fun and the text is clever. This is a perfect book for all the little inventors out there.
July 6, 2019
2/11/2021 ~ When you read things with kids, they push you to notice new things in the illustrations. How is the stroller being powered in the final spread? Such ingenuity on Charlotte's part.
7/5/2019 ~ Charlotte makes the best of her new toy, changing it to fit her interests. STEM, creativity, & determination. This book supports the idea of girls as tech users and engineers & confronts gender roles, all while being fun with very engaging illustrations. (Some kids will recognize Makey Makey in one of the illustrations. :) )
7/5/2019 ~ Charlotte makes the best of her new toy, changing it to fit her interests. STEM, creativity, & determination. This book supports the idea of girls as tech users and engineers & confronts gender roles, all while being fun with very engaging illustrations. (Some kids will recognize Makey Makey in one of the illustrations. :) )
July 21, 2018
In a book that initially seems like it’s going to be another criticism of “kids these days” and their addiction to technology, Shanda McCloskey instead turns it into a tale of a young girl with some kick-ass coding chops.
November 8, 2018
Very funny! Gotta love a girl who can upgrade a rag doll!
October 22, 2019
Genre: Science fiction
Awards: None
Audience: Grades K-2nd
A) This book falls under the science fiction category of fantasy. The reason this book is considered science fiction is because it involves the topic of genetic engineering. The little girl uses technology and engineering skills to manipulate her toy doll. Throughout the book, there are also many occurrences of technology, such as robotic hands, computer controllers, and missing robotic parts that appear in the illustrations. There is a sort of futuristic feel to the book, as we sometimes think about the future involving houses that are equipped with robotic hands that can complete various tasks for you, such as pouring cereal or water. The house in this story has a similar setup, and we can compare it to smart houses that we sometimes see in movies.
B) While reading, my belief was suspended a few pages into the story. There are robotic arms that are doing things such as unwrapping Charlotte's presents for her, pushing a baby stroller, holding drinks, and chasing her dog. There are also different types of technology that Charlotte appears to own throughout the story, such as a virtual reality goggles, a high-tech computer system, and a lab full of technological parts and tools that Charlotte is working on the doll in. It is unlikely that a child as young as Charlotte would have the ability to not only utilize this technology, but more importantly, the money to be able to afford it. All of the tools shown in this book are high-tech and are used by people that are highly involved in the technology and science fields. It is hard to believe that Charlotte would have access to these or know how to use them. In addition, the possibility of a child being able to figure out how to make a doll talk and laugh and chase a dog is unlikely.
C) The setting incorporates the genre of the book by involving magic in the real world. The setting is Charlotte's house, specifically her living room, bedroom, and her "lab". I know this because at the end of the book, one of the illustrations is Charlotte playing outside with her doll and dog and her parents are in the window of the house, watching her play. The sense of magic in the book is not actual magic, but rather technology, as this book is science fiction. As mentioned above, the house has technology everywhere, from robotic arms that do various things, virtual reality googles, spare gadgets and tools in Charlotte's lab, and a high-tech computer. These technological items are all used by Charlotte to build her doll and literally bring the doll to life. Therefore, this book is an example of magic, or technology, in a real-world setting.
D) I would say one of the major themes in this book is that just because you are a girl, does not mean that you can't be into technology. Usually, we don't see books or movies where a girl, more specifically a young girl, is using technology the way that Charlotte does throughout the book. McCloskey has done an incredible job introducing this uncommon idea and showing that girls can be just as inventive and technologically-advanced as boys are. She also does a great job in tying in the idea that just because a child is interested in something like technology, it does not mean that the child cannot also be interested in dolls, per say. Children have many interests, and it is possible for a child to be interested in something that is both "girly" and "boyish" at the same time.
Awards: None
Audience: Grades K-2nd
A) This book falls under the science fiction category of fantasy. The reason this book is considered science fiction is because it involves the topic of genetic engineering. The little girl uses technology and engineering skills to manipulate her toy doll. Throughout the book, there are also many occurrences of technology, such as robotic hands, computer controllers, and missing robotic parts that appear in the illustrations. There is a sort of futuristic feel to the book, as we sometimes think about the future involving houses that are equipped with robotic hands that can complete various tasks for you, such as pouring cereal or water. The house in this story has a similar setup, and we can compare it to smart houses that we sometimes see in movies.
B) While reading, my belief was suspended a few pages into the story. There are robotic arms that are doing things such as unwrapping Charlotte's presents for her, pushing a baby stroller, holding drinks, and chasing her dog. There are also different types of technology that Charlotte appears to own throughout the story, such as a virtual reality goggles, a high-tech computer system, and a lab full of technological parts and tools that Charlotte is working on the doll in. It is unlikely that a child as young as Charlotte would have the ability to not only utilize this technology, but more importantly, the money to be able to afford it. All of the tools shown in this book are high-tech and are used by people that are highly involved in the technology and science fields. It is hard to believe that Charlotte would have access to these or know how to use them. In addition, the possibility of a child being able to figure out how to make a doll talk and laugh and chase a dog is unlikely.
C) The setting incorporates the genre of the book by involving magic in the real world. The setting is Charlotte's house, specifically her living room, bedroom, and her "lab". I know this because at the end of the book, one of the illustrations is Charlotte playing outside with her doll and dog and her parents are in the window of the house, watching her play. The sense of magic in the book is not actual magic, but rather technology, as this book is science fiction. As mentioned above, the house has technology everywhere, from robotic arms that do various things, virtual reality googles, spare gadgets and tools in Charlotte's lab, and a high-tech computer. These technological items are all used by Charlotte to build her doll and literally bring the doll to life. Therefore, this book is an example of magic, or technology, in a real-world setting.
D) I would say one of the major themes in this book is that just because you are a girl, does not mean that you can't be into technology. Usually, we don't see books or movies where a girl, more specifically a young girl, is using technology the way that Charlotte does throughout the book. McCloskey has done an incredible job introducing this uncommon idea and showing that girls can be just as inventive and technologically-advanced as boys are. She also does a great job in tying in the idea that just because a child is interested in something like technology, it does not mean that the child cannot also be interested in dolls, per say. Children have many interests, and it is possible for a child to be interested in something that is both "girly" and "boyish" at the same time.
September 30, 2021
Lately, the joy of going to the library (besides the fact that I can get books, movies, and CDs for FREE!.. As long as I return them, of course) is going with my daughter, who is in second grade and already a voracious reader, like her daddy.
I love the books that she picks out, mainly because they are such a mixed bag of any and every genre. Also, whoever said you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover never met my daughter. Picking books solely by its cover is, clearly, the best way to pick books.
“Doll-E 1.0” by Shanda McCloskey is an adorable “re-interpretation”, shall I say, of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”.
The main character is a little girl named Charlotte who loves science and technology. (STEM teachers, take note!) She does, however, spend too much time in her bedroom/laboratory creating stuff, so her parents get her a little stuffed dolly to play with. (Clearly, these parents don’t understand that Charlotte’s experiments are her form of “play”, but whatever, they mean well.)
Charlotte, however, doesn’t know what to do with the dolly. It doesn’t move around or tell time or have much of a scientific purpose. It just, well, sits there. She almost gives up on the dolly until…
She discovers that the dolly speaks. Granted, it can only say “mama”, but speech means that it has a voice box, which means it has electronics, which means that it can be upgraded.
Which she succeeds in doing.
If Stephen King or Paul Tremblay were writing this, the horror opportunities would be plentiful. This is a kid’s book, though. It’s actually pretty adorable.
I love the books that she picks out, mainly because they are such a mixed bag of any and every genre. Also, whoever said you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover never met my daughter. Picking books solely by its cover is, clearly, the best way to pick books.
“Doll-E 1.0” by Shanda McCloskey is an adorable “re-interpretation”, shall I say, of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”.
The main character is a little girl named Charlotte who loves science and technology. (STEM teachers, take note!) She does, however, spend too much time in her bedroom/laboratory creating stuff, so her parents get her a little stuffed dolly to play with. (Clearly, these parents don’t understand that Charlotte’s experiments are her form of “play”, but whatever, they mean well.)
Charlotte, however, doesn’t know what to do with the dolly. It doesn’t move around or tell time or have much of a scientific purpose. It just, well, sits there. She almost gives up on the dolly until…
She discovers that the dolly speaks. Granted, it can only say “mama”, but speech means that it has a voice box, which means it has electronics, which means that it can be upgraded.
Which she succeeds in doing.
If Stephen King or Paul Tremblay were writing this, the horror opportunities would be plentiful. This is a kid’s book, though. It’s actually pretty adorable.
June 10, 2018
This book is so much fun! My 5 year-old and 8 year-old girls LOVE it. (I even caught my 11 year-old son sneaking a read.) The illustrations are fun and appealing, the color palette (the blue hair!) really draws you in right away. It's the kind of book you can't help but pull off the shelf to take a look. And the story really lives up to the visual! The brilliant synthesis of good old-fashioned play with high-tech play is told so well. It teaches kids not to forget their imagination but also that technology can be constructive and useful if not overdone. The end ties the whole story together beautifully. And I love the substory with the dog. He comes around to liking the doll, too, in the end, although he's threatened at first. (Look close! He gives a peace offering.) All-in-all a WONDERFUL addition to our library.
October 30, 2018
I seem to be ambivalent about this in the opposite direction of a lot of other reviewers! They wanted Charlotte to have non-tech-y play with the doll (which she does somewhat). I was a little confused as to why it was portrayed as inherently a virtuous and positive change for Charlotte to be playing house with the doll and having it address her as "Mama."
Charlotte is both femme and STEM-y throughout, but that doesn't mean they aren't contrasted at some levels here. The two aren't portrayed as exclusive, and all of Charlotte's play and work is seen as imaginative and valuable, but there does seem to be some level of people wanting her to be less technical and a connection to that making her more feminine.
Charlotte is both femme and STEM-y throughout, but that doesn't mean they aren't contrasted at some levels here. The two aren't portrayed as exclusive, and all of Charlotte's play and work is seen as imaginative and valuable, but there does seem to be some level of people wanting her to be less technical and a connection to that making her more feminine.
Want to Read
September 25, 2024This book was very creative! This book can defiantly spark creativity for children and even girls if they're interested in more of a technology and engineering side. I love how this book took a different rout of how a doll can be transformed into so many other things or can be upgraded. This books target audience I would say is 3rd grade and older. The pictures are super big and flows with the story line. The sentences are easy to read and flow with. This book could defiantly be used with in a classroom and also for a personal read as well. It can create a new interest to students or even allow for further pursuing with an interest as well. It can be used within a lesson that involves creating or even an art based activity. I would defiantly read this again!
May 1, 2018
I absolutely loved this book!
Charlotte is such a lovable, memorable character. She's girly yet geeky, sweet and smart. Her little dog Blutooth is a happy fellow... most of the time. He isn't particularly thrilled when her new toy doll arrives. And neither is Charlotte! But with a brain like hers, she knows exactly what to do about it!
I adore the illustrations, the character's expressions and all the tiny details that McCloskey illustrated, such as the necessary outlets on every wall, the spilled juice box and the cute drawings done by the main character.
This is the perfect picture book for a techie kid, and I have a feeling it will be a beloved book in our techie household.
Charlotte is such a lovable, memorable character. She's girly yet geeky, sweet and smart. Her little dog Blutooth is a happy fellow... most of the time. He isn't particularly thrilled when her new toy doll arrives. And neither is Charlotte! But with a brain like hers, she knows exactly what to do about it!
I adore the illustrations, the character's expressions and all the tiny details that McCloskey illustrated, such as the necessary outlets on every wall, the spilled juice box and the cute drawings done by the main character.
This is the perfect picture book for a techie kid, and I have a feeling it will be a beloved book in our techie household.
May 27, 2018
When Charlotte's parents get in the way of her techie world by giving her a doll that has a built in speaker and battery box, they were not expecting her to upgrade Doll-E! My favorite moment in this book is when the doll calls Charlotte Ma-Ma, and Charlotte is aghast! How can she be anyone's mama when she's just a kid herself? Charlotte's curiosity drives her to understand exactly what her parents were expecting her to do with the doll, but when her dog gets jealous of the amount of attention Charlotte is giving the doll... well, that's what leads her doll to be transformed into Doll-E 1.0. Librarians and teachers with Makerspaces and their young makers will enjoy Charlotte's story.
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