Benji's Doll

by Luis Amavisca, Alicia Acosta, Amélie Graux (Illustrator)

Benji loves playing with dolls… By the authors of I Love My Colorful Nails, Alicia Acosta and Luis Amavisca.
Benji wants a doll more than anything in the world. When he finally gets one, he can´t wait to take it to the park to show his friends… An up-lifting story to remind us that there are no toys for boys and toys for girls – there are just toys. By the authors of I Love My Colorful Nails, Alicia Acosta and Luis Amavisca.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Fiction, Gender, Childrens, Plays

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 11, 2021

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always feel encouraged when I come upon picture books that push against gender stereotypes. In this particular case, the focus is on dolls. Benji desperately wants a doll of his own to play with so much so that he begs his parents for one and uses his coins for wishes that he'll get one. Even though his best friend Jenny shares her doll with Benji while he shares his truck with her, it isn't enough, and he wants one for his very own. To his delight, his parents make his wishes come true. But when he and his friends are playing with their dolls, another boy, Pablo, grabs the doll away from Benji and causes one of her eyeballs to pop out. Readers will be just as surprised and disappointed as I was, and when Pablo arrives a few days later, they'll be sure that he's back to cause more problems and to tease Benji. But that isn't what happens. Instead, he has brought something to atone for his misdeeds as well as an apology. The final double-page spread made me smile as all four youngsters are wearing pirate eyepatches and the two boys are clutching dolls who also have their own eyepatches. The illustrations fit the story perfectly while the story challenges assumptions many may have about boys like Pablo but also about what sorts of toys are appropriate for boys and for girls.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Benji loves dolls. He has many other stuffed animals to play with but he adores and wants a doll. He has wanted one badly for a long time. His best friend Jenny shares her pretty doll with him whenever they get together to play and in return Benji shares his truck.

One day Benji's wish is granted as his parents hand him a big box tied up with shiny ribbon. To his delight the box contains his very own doll. Off he runs to the park to share his coveted new doll with all his friends. Pablo, the neighbourhood bully, appears and snatches Benji's doll from him. He starts squeezing the poor doll's head causing its eye to pop out! PLOP! Oh my! Poor Benji is heartbroken and starts sobbing uncontrollably.

Pablo sees the sorrow he has provoked and feels very badly about what he did. He had just wanted to play and never intended to break the doll. How can Pablo make up for his unkind and mean behaviour? If he does find a way to repent and say he's sorry will Benji forgive him?

The illustrations are wonderful. They enrich the storyline perfectly. The message is clear... there doesn't have to be boy toys and girl toys but just kid toys to enjoy at playtime. I highly recommend this book.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucas/Benji really wants a doll, and finally his parents get him one – a beautiful green-eyed, red-haired doll with a blue dress. He is playing with dolls in the park with his friend Jenny, when another kid, Pablo, snatches the doll and squeezes her until one of her eyes pops out. Lucas/Benji is inconsolable, and Pablo feels bad. A few days later, Pablo comes by the park again with a gift: it’s an eyepatch for Lucas’s doll. And all of the kids play pirate dolls!


This book tries to highlight the fact that both boys and girls should be able to play with dolls without being bullied, although I’m not sure that the message comes across. Pablo grabs the doll mischievously, but not as an act of bullying. An alternate message may be to respect kids’ choices of play. The art is a naive style using pencil-like textures and colors. Minimal simple text keeps the focus on the full bleed art.

Anything you didn’t like about it? I didn’t care for the artistic portrayal of the kids – they all have giant eyes and large underbites, and Lucas/Benji has giant buck teeth.

Along the lines of William’s Doll (Pène du Bois) or Clive and His Babies (Spanyol), although I think these two do a better job.

[MookNana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story did not progress as I thought it would, in the best possible way. Benji wanted a doll very badly and, when his wish finally came true, another child was unkind and caused damage to his doll. However, instead of the usual "bully" arc, the other child hadn't intended to cause damage, felt bad for his actions (without the need for intervention from adults or other kids), and found a clever way to make amends.

I like the fact that nothing was made of Benji wanting a doll or of Benji getting upset and crying when his doll was damaged. I also liked that he was rightfully wary of the other child, but willing to allow him to apologize and try to make it right. The story ended on a positive and hopeful note.

This would make a great classroom read for pre-K through early elementary and is sure to spark lots of great conversation!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is very cute and seems to focus on gender roles in children playing. Alicia Acosta and Luis Amazisca created an interesting story with a fun Benji wants a doll as his friend, Jenny, has a doll. When he gets a doll other children ask if they are playing Mommies and Daddies. When Pablo takes the doll an accident happens. Benji is very sad, but loves his doll anyway. Later Pablo returns with a surprise for Benji. This surprise ending is worth all the smiles it brings!

The illustrations are brightly colored and illustrator Amelie Graux manages great facial expressions on the characters in this story. This book was published in Portugal and translated by Robin Sinclair.

I was happy to see this book at my library as I have kept William's Doll by Charlotte Zolotow (1972) on my school library shelves for decades as there was nothing quite like it that I had found. This may do the trick!

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections: My daughter received a Barbie doll for Christmas when she was 4. My son, age 2, pitched a fit! He wanted a doll too! We bought him a Ken doll the day after Christmas.

Benji’s Doll is a delightful illustrated book. Even though Beni has many stuffed animals, he wants a doll. Soon he receives one. Uh oh, looks like a bully Pablo is at the playground.

Turns out Pablo wasn’t a bully, he wanted to tease. Pablo shows remorse —- unusual in a children’s book.

Later Pablo gives Benji a small box. I had to smile when I saw what Benji thought might be in the box. Another unique illustration!

This is a short book, but it will lend itself to a long productive discussion about what happened and the emotions in the book.

Many thanks to Netgalley for permitting me to read this.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let toys be toys! The toy industry plays a big role in perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes by marketing toys separately to boys and girls through advertisements, catalogues, product placement, and packaging carefully calculated to affect consumers’ buying choices. When toys are narrowly signposted along the pink/blue divide, toy manufacturers in effect control access to the range of toys, thereby limiting the possibilities of play experiences, which can negatively influence children’s attitudes, behaviors, and ambitions. This story attempts to address these issues by showing what inclusive play with ungendered toys could look like.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising story and colorful and detailed illustrations. Benji really wants a doll, so his parents finally get him one with hair and eyes like his--and it's no big deal. He is playing with the doll in the park with his friends when Pablo comes by and snatches the doll and pops its eye out. Benji is devastated and is naturally very wary of Pablo when he sees him a few days later, but Pablo has come to make amends, by offering a patch for Benji's one-eyed doll. So what do all of the kids do? Play pirates!

I'd love to give this to all of my great nieces and nephews but I know some of their parents will balk at it for their sons.

[Susan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's wonderful about this book: no judgement. Benji wants a doll, period. His parents get him one. Period. He loves it. Period. No one bullies him over the doll and the drama and destruction gets a positive and unified spin. Also to be commended for its subtle inclusive and representation. A very helpful book that is not overwhelmingly preachy.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute! I liked how we see Benji wanting and playing with a doll. And his girl friend plays with his truck. It shows that any child can play with any toy.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

[Opetoritse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light, uplifting story of friendship and forgiveness that unassumingly normalizes boys playing with dolls. Graux's colorful pencil-and-crayon style illustrations are utterly adorable, and give the story much of its life.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about friends playing with dolls and when something happens to Benji's favorite and only doll, another child makes things better and is included in the play and forgiven. No teasing about toy choices or broken toy.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet book. I loved how all the kids played with dolls at the end, and it was just an accident that the doll broke, not something driven by boy toy vs girl toy conflict. Kids can read this and just assume that dolls are fine for all kiddos!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertainingly illustrated and a positive but slight on story positively challenging gender norms.

[Matthew · Rating 1 out of 5]

The sad part made me cry.

[Gwendolune · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un peu decu parce que un peu court quand même

[DiAnne Warfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOlt-Delhi library PJ story time 06-26-2024

[J.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divino ❤️

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce n’est pas 100 % doux mais j’imagine que ça colle plus à la réalité des enfants comme ça 😅 mais sinon très chouette !!

[Alexia M.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admire what this book is doing, but it feels like it's too much telling, not showing.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really cute book. Benji loves his doll and this book teaches us that anyone can like dolls and it is not okay to be mean to someone because of what they like. I love the ending of this book, it was super cute and filled with acceptance and friendship.

[Shaynning - Libraire Jeunesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'avais découvert l'illustratrice grâce au livre en tout-carton "Ils ont de la chance ma mamie et mon papi !", qui est super drôle et moderne, c'est donc mon deuxième livre de cette illustratrice.


Lucas rêve d'avoir une poupée, si bien qu'après l'avoir demandé à sa fête, à Noël et même d'avoir sacrifié quelques pièces de monnaie à la fontaine à souhait, il l'obtient enfin! Maintenant, quand sa meilleure amie viendra avec sa poupée, ils pourront avoir chacun la leur. S'ils sont envie d'y jouer, parce que les deux amis ont pleins d'autres jeux. Un jour, alors qu'ils vont au parc avec leur poupée respective, une copine les interpelle en leur demandant s'ils jouaient "à la maman". Lucas répond qu'il joue plutôt "au papa", ce qui, de l'avis de la copine, est logique en fait. Mais soudain, Téo s'approche et enlève la poupée de Lucas. Il se met à appuyer dessus si fort que l'inévitable arrive: un des yeux de la poupée est expulsé de son orbite et dans un "plop!", est éjecté au loin. Alors que les deux filles consolent Lucas, qui est en larme, Téo s'en veut, car son intention n'était pas d'abîmé la poupée. le lendemain, Téo rejoins le groupe au parc avec une petite boite. Lucas, d'abord méfiant, pense que Téo veut le jouer un mauvais tour, mais dans la boîte, il y trouve un cache-oeil pour la poupée. Cet après-midi là, les quatre amis jouent à cache-cache, au football et à faire la cuisine. Bien sur, ils jouent à la poupée... à la poupée-pirate!


Je suis vraiment heureuse de voir de plus en plus d'albums jeunesse traiter la contre-genrification des jeux et jouets. Après tout, c'est une pure construction ces histoires de jeux "pour garçons" ou "pour fille", très employée au tournant des années 50 pour engranger de gros profits de la part des compagnies, il n'y a rien de biologique là-dedans. Là seule chose qui devrait importer, à mon avis, ce sont les intérêts des enfants eux-même.


Dans cet album d'origine espagnole, la déconstruction se fait dans les deux sens et n'a aucune vocation moralisatrice. On a juste des enfants qui aiment partager leurs jeux et leurs intérêts communs. Parfois, on a des enfants jouant aux poupées, parfois avec des camions, d'autres fois à cache-cache. Lucas désirait une poupée et l'a obtenu sans chichi de la part des parents.

Un petit détail que j'ai trouver mignon est le commentaire des deux filles, Éva et Ana au sujet de la poupée ayant perdu un œil:
-Ne inquiète pas.
-On l'aimera toujours autant.
Ça me rappelle ma jeunesse quand un certain membre de ma famille que je ne nommerai pas arrachait des bras et des têtes à nos poupées masculines pour le fun. On avait alors le réflexe de leur faire des plâtres et des collet cervicaux avec du gros adhésif beige parce qu'on refusait de les jeter. On avait tellement peu de poupées-garçons qu'on refusait de les jeter, alors on les aimaient avec leur état "handicapé", un peu comme ici.


Les dessins sont mignons et les personnages ont des têtes rigolotes. Mention à la poupée qui a des cheveux bleus et à la présence de diversité ethnique. Il y a pléthore d'expression du registre émotif, ce peut être intéressant pour l'identification des émotions avec le lectorat préscolaire et primaire.


Un bel album pour traiter des stéréotypes de genre et aussi des actes de réparation quand on blesse quelqu'un, même psychologiquement.


À voir!


Pour un lectorat préscolaire, 4-5 ans+.


Catégorisation: Album fiction espagnol, littérature jeunesse préscolaire, 4-5 ans
Note: 7/10

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Tibwalovesstory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Et on continue la présentation des albums que j’ai eu la chance de découvrir grâce à mon activité de recenseuse pour la fondation Battieuw-Schmidt. Aujourd’hui, on a rendez-vous avec « la poupée de Lucas », de Alicia Acosta et Luis Amavisca. Illustré par Amélie Graux, l’album est publié aux éditions Milan.

Lucas veut une poupée plus que tout au monde. Lorsque ses parents réalisent son vœu, il est aux anges : il va pouvoir jouer au papa. Mais comment vont réagir ses camarades du parc ?

Dans cet album coloré qui prône la tolérance et l’égalité entre filles et garçons, et met en avant
la diversité sans qu’il soit nécessaire de mentionner l’origine des personnages dans le texte,
les auteurs invitent les enfants à considérer certains faits établis à partir d’une perspective
différente.

Les amitiés se révèlent surprenantes, l’action est au rendez-vous, et les personnages passent par une ribambelle d’émotions qui se passent de mots et se lisent sur leurs visages expressifs. L’histoire, intelligemment construite, invite à se rendre compte qu’avec un peu d’ouverture d’esprit et de tolérance, on s’amuse beaucoup plus.
Un album à la fois drôle et touchant, à découvrir en lecture accompagnée dès 3 ans.

[Ariberna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moi chulo e con moito valor

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benji's doll gets an eye patch after Pablo is too rough with it.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just couldn't get past the illustration style. It felt very awkward in the faces and just scribbles for Black hair.