What do you think?
Rate this book
William's Doll
William's Doll <> Prebound <> CharlotteZolotow <> PerfectionLearning
32 pages, Library Binding
First published May 10, 1972
7 people are currently reading
684 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Zolotow
101 books79 followersCharlotte Zolotow was a distinguished American writer, editor, and publisher who made a lasting mark on children's literature. Over her career, she authored around 70 picture book texts and edited works by prominent writers including Paul Zindel, Robert Lipsyte, and Francesca Lia Block. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she studied writing at the University of Wisconsin Madison and later joined Harper & Bros in New York, where she worked her way up from secretary to publisher. Her own books were published by over 20 houses, and she became known for her poetic and emotionally insightful texts. Zolotow’s most celebrated works include When the Wind Stops, William’s Doll, and River Winding. Her story "Enemies" was featured in The Big Book for Peace alongside other notable authors. She lived for many years in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her legacy endures not only through her own writing but also through the Charlotte Zolotow Award, established in 1998 to honor outstanding picture book texts. Her contributions helped shape modern children's literature with sensitivity, elegance, and enduring relevance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
May 29, 2019
You know, I think I remember people talking about this book when I was a kid. I think it was still a big deal by the time I was in school and people would bring this up as shocking. I never did read it as a child.
This seems like a controversial subject back in the 70s. This is simple. William wants a doll and his brother and neighbor make fun of him and his father buys him very boy toys like basketballs and trains. Still, William wants his doll, so his grandmother buys him a doll so he can learn to be a father. Simple, Straight forward. What’s the big deal.
I think it’s a wonderful message. It’s pretty tame by today’s standards.
My nephew grew up around his sister, so he has played with plenty of dolls to the point where he doesn’t care about this. So, he thought this book was boring and gave it 2 stars. He didn’t get the whole point. So the boy wanted a doll, big deal. The niece was similar. She didn’t get the big deal about this either. It seemed silly to her. We did have to have a conversation about the word sissy and what was behind that. The niece gave this about 2 stars.
I think it’s great that something on this subject has been out there for 40 years and it’s important to keep this idea. So I enjoyed it more than the kids. I remember those days when this was a huge deal. I’m glad it’s not anymore - mostly.
This seems like a controversial subject back in the 70s. This is simple. William wants a doll and his brother and neighbor make fun of him and his father buys him very boy toys like basketballs and trains. Still, William wants his doll, so his grandmother buys him a doll so he can learn to be a father. Simple, Straight forward. What’s the big deal.
I think it’s a wonderful message. It’s pretty tame by today’s standards.
My nephew grew up around his sister, so he has played with plenty of dolls to the point where he doesn’t care about this. So, he thought this book was boring and gave it 2 stars. He didn’t get the whole point. So the boy wanted a doll, big deal. The niece was similar. She didn’t get the big deal about this either. It seemed silly to her. We did have to have a conversation about the word sissy and what was behind that. The niece gave this about 2 stars.
I think it’s great that something on this subject has been out there for 40 years and it’s important to keep this idea. So I enjoyed it more than the kids. I remember those days when this was a huge deal. I’m glad it’s not anymore - mostly.
April 30, 2019
All William wants is a doll. He sees, on the title pages, a young girl who has one and he'd like one too. One to hug and cradle, care for and kiss goodnight - 'just as though he were its father and it were his child'. But when his brother and his friend see him imagining this play, William is ridiculed. His father does nothing to acknowledge this and, instead, offers an alternative - a rather luxurious train set and a basketball. William plays with these too and he enjoys it...but he'd still like the doll.
Instead it takes William's grandmother to understand and celebrate what he desires. With a beautiful, poetic ending in which William's father is, educated by his own mother (I like to think) as to why William really wants the doll and the benefits that will come from this interaction.
Written in 1972 I smiled at the fact that we consider that we're in a new 'age' of children's literature when such books have always been there. I think there are changes coming and people are welcoming new reading and approaches to stories for children but we have a way to go. Meanwhile, let us celebrate those incredible writers and illustrators who had begun paving the way a long time ago.
Instead it takes William's grandmother to understand and celebrate what he desires. With a beautiful, poetic ending in which William's father is, educated by his own mother (I like to think) as to why William really wants the doll and the benefits that will come from this interaction.
Written in 1972 I smiled at the fact that we consider that we're in a new 'age' of children's literature when such books have always been there. I think there are changes coming and people are welcoming new reading and approaches to stories for children but we have a way to go. Meanwhile, let us celebrate those incredible writers and illustrators who had begun paving the way a long time ago.
November 22, 2017
Such a shame this is still relevant. At least I'm surprised to see ppl in the US who say it is... that means that most of us get it, right?
December 11, 2018
Not as good as it probably used to be.
This review originally published at http://www.drttmk.com/books/williams-...
This book was probably great for its time (1972). I think it's a bit outdated in execution, although the message still resonates today.
A little boy named William wants a doll that he can play with, a baby doll with eyes that open and close, and he wants to treat it like a baby and wake it up in the morning and feed it and things like that. His brother tells him, "Don't be a creep!" (Which, today, is just a weird thing to say in that situation. Has the definition of "creep" really changed that much since the 1970s? I guess we would use something like 'freak' in the same sense now.) The boy next door calls William a sissy. William's father gives him a basketball and teaches him how to play. He learns how to play well and has fun, but he still wants a doll. So his father gives him an electric train and sets it up. He enjoys it as well, but it doesn't stop him from wanting a doll. Finally, his grandmother comes to visit. He mentions to her on a walk that he wants a doll. She says, "Wonderful!" He responds in confusion, explaining that everybody else seems to think dolls are not for boys. She replies, "Nonsense," and they go and get a doll, which William loves. "But his father was upset," the book continues. "He's a boy! ....Why does he need a doll?" And the grandmother replies, 'So that he can practice being a father.'
I saw a comic about a year ago that sums this up better than the book. (It's here, at Maximumble, #480.) "You can't give your son a baby doll. That's a girl's toy!" "Why?" "When he grows up he might be... you know..." "A dad?" As the panel zooms out, showing both of the adults bottle-feeding babies. It's still a problem today, discouraging the nurturing side of boys for fear of them being 'feminine,' but performing a complete 180 when they have children, suddenly expecting them to have fully developed that side of themselves.
At the end of the book, the grandmother even chastises the father, pointing out that William will make a great father, and that he might even get his son what he wants, such as a doll. And then the book suddenly stops.
It's got a good message, one that is sadly still relevant today. But it doesn't go into enough detail about the other characters in the book, and they don't seem to learn anything. William isn't even given much of a chance to react to getting the doll, or his father's reaction to it. It doesn't tell the whole story, only a brief snippet.
In 1972, this sort of thing must have been groundbreaking. But now, it doesn't go far enough. Preventing boys from doing anything stereotypically feminine is sexist against males and females alike. Boys should be allowed to do whatever they want, without being stigmatized, or having their sexual orientation assumed. We should be advanced enough as a society to realize that whether boys do something like play with dolls has no impact on their sexual orientation. (And, just to make things extremely clear, all sexual orientations are absolutely valid and normal. I don't want to imply otherwise.) If a boy is straight, playing with a doll won't cause him to become gay. If a boy is gay, preventing him from playing with a doll won't cause him to become straight.
And, on top of that, there is the clear implication that 'feminine' equates to 'lesser,' just as 'woman's work' is 'beneath' a man, being nurturing is a 'weakness.'
At any rate, it's not a bad book. It's decent. It's just that it could be a lot better, and there are better books that have been written in the past four decades. "Teddy's Favorite Toy" addresses the topic of boys playing with dolls in an excellent way-- by not addressing it. Teddy's favorite toy happens to be a doll, but nobody takes issue with that or makes fun of him or anything; the story is about him losing the doll and being reunited with it. And that's the kind of book that we need to help overcome prejudice and stereotypes. Books where things that wrongheaded people disagree with are incidental to the story. We don't dwell on them or question them, they're just facts. But this book was at the beginning of that, and it deserves some historical credit for that.
Message: There's nothing wrong with boys wanting dolls.
This review originally published at http://www.drttmk.com/books/williams-...
This book was probably great for its time (1972). I think it's a bit outdated in execution, although the message still resonates today.
A little boy named William wants a doll that he can play with, a baby doll with eyes that open and close, and he wants to treat it like a baby and wake it up in the morning and feed it and things like that. His brother tells him, "Don't be a creep!" (Which, today, is just a weird thing to say in that situation. Has the definition of "creep" really changed that much since the 1970s? I guess we would use something like 'freak' in the same sense now.) The boy next door calls William a sissy. William's father gives him a basketball and teaches him how to play. He learns how to play well and has fun, but he still wants a doll. So his father gives him an electric train and sets it up. He enjoys it as well, but it doesn't stop him from wanting a doll. Finally, his grandmother comes to visit. He mentions to her on a walk that he wants a doll. She says, "Wonderful!" He responds in confusion, explaining that everybody else seems to think dolls are not for boys. She replies, "Nonsense," and they go and get a doll, which William loves. "But his father was upset," the book continues. "He's a boy! ....Why does he need a doll?" And the grandmother replies, 'So that he can practice being a father.'
I saw a comic about a year ago that sums this up better than the book. (It's here, at Maximumble, #480.) "You can't give your son a baby doll. That's a girl's toy!" "Why?" "When he grows up he might be... you know..." "A dad?" As the panel zooms out, showing both of the adults bottle-feeding babies. It's still a problem today, discouraging the nurturing side of boys for fear of them being 'feminine,' but performing a complete 180 when they have children, suddenly expecting them to have fully developed that side of themselves.
At the end of the book, the grandmother even chastises the father, pointing out that William will make a great father, and that he might even get his son what he wants, such as a doll. And then the book suddenly stops.
It's got a good message, one that is sadly still relevant today. But it doesn't go into enough detail about the other characters in the book, and they don't seem to learn anything. William isn't even given much of a chance to react to getting the doll, or his father's reaction to it. It doesn't tell the whole story, only a brief snippet.
In 1972, this sort of thing must have been groundbreaking. But now, it doesn't go far enough. Preventing boys from doing anything stereotypically feminine is sexist against males and females alike. Boys should be allowed to do whatever they want, without being stigmatized, or having their sexual orientation assumed. We should be advanced enough as a society to realize that whether boys do something like play with dolls has no impact on their sexual orientation. (And, just to make things extremely clear, all sexual orientations are absolutely valid and normal. I don't want to imply otherwise.) If a boy is straight, playing with a doll won't cause him to become gay. If a boy is gay, preventing him from playing with a doll won't cause him to become straight.
And, on top of that, there is the clear implication that 'feminine' equates to 'lesser,' just as 'woman's work' is 'beneath' a man, being nurturing is a 'weakness.'
At any rate, it's not a bad book. It's decent. It's just that it could be a lot better, and there are better books that have been written in the past four decades. "Teddy's Favorite Toy" addresses the topic of boys playing with dolls in an excellent way-- by not addressing it. Teddy's favorite toy happens to be a doll, but nobody takes issue with that or makes fun of him or anything; the story is about him losing the doll and being reunited with it. And that's the kind of book that we need to help overcome prejudice and stereotypes. Books where things that wrongheaded people disagree with are incidental to the story. We don't dwell on them or question them, they're just facts. But this book was at the beginning of that, and it deserves some historical credit for that.
Message: There's nothing wrong with boys wanting dolls.
January 5, 2009
I don't much care for children's stories that preach to parents rather than simply telling a good story to the kids. This is one. It rather assumes the reading parent needs to be educated about allowing a boy child to play with a doll. It did not hold my daughter's interest, and I haven't dug it back out to read to my son, who is, at this age at least, under no threat of being called a sissy for playing with dolls.
I suppose if you have one of the rare 0.5% of boys who, given an undirected choice, still would much rather have a tea party with his dolls than play with his cars, and he's actually gotten a ribbing for it from someone, this would be a good book to read him. Otherwise it just comes off sounding like moralistic feminism. (You baddy you! You think it's strange for a seven-year-old boy to want to play with a doll more than anything else in the world! How DARE you, you sexist ignoramus you!) But I think this is not a real-life concern for very many boys. More often than not I run across parents who actively try to get their boys to like dolls just as much as cars and balls, only to learn that gender stereotypes arise for a reason, and while a boy will play with a doll from time to time, he will not be drawn to it in the same trance-like way he is drawn to four-wheeled vehicles.
Now, before anyone accuses me of enforcing gender stereotypes upon my children, let me say that my son is a very nurturing child, who loves to diaper, feed, and comfort his crying....cars.
I suppose if you have one of the rare 0.5% of boys who, given an undirected choice, still would much rather have a tea party with his dolls than play with his cars, and he's actually gotten a ribbing for it from someone, this would be a good book to read him. Otherwise it just comes off sounding like moralistic feminism. (You baddy you! You think it's strange for a seven-year-old boy to want to play with a doll more than anything else in the world! How DARE you, you sexist ignoramus you!) But I think this is not a real-life concern for very many boys. More often than not I run across parents who actively try to get their boys to like dolls just as much as cars and balls, only to learn that gender stereotypes arise for a reason, and while a boy will play with a doll from time to time, he will not be drawn to it in the same trance-like way he is drawn to four-wheeled vehicles.
Now, before anyone accuses me of enforcing gender stereotypes upon my children, let me say that my son is a very nurturing child, who loves to diaper, feed, and comfort his crying....cars.
December 22, 2007
Rad kids' book about a (white) boy who is teased for and distracted from (unsuccessfully) wanting a doll. When I read this to my kids, I was a little uncomfortable with William being teased- I would have preferred a more positive storyline so the kids don't get any ideas, but it was written in an age where this was the norm. Great for someone being teased for stepping out of their assigned gender roles. In the end, William's grandmother buys him a doll,"so he'll know how to take care of his baby... so that he can practice being a father."
May 15, 2011
First published in 1972, this one has held its place in the canon of children's literature. For better or worse (probably worse) there continue to be few books in which boys resist social expectations surrounding 'appropriately' gendered ways to be nurturing. This simple text tackles several ideas, including teasing and bullying (as it comes from peers and family members) and gender stereotyping. I appreciate the way that book stresses that having a doll and being nurturing doesn't supersede or replace other 'appropriately' gendered activities like playing basketball. A person can engage multiple activities, even as they cross traditional gender lines, without dismissing others. (It represents an abundance model, rather than a scarcity model. I can be BOTH nurturing and masculine, rather than one or the other.) Also, I appreciated that it was the grandmother who had the wisdom to give perspective on the situation. Sometimes with age does come wisdom.
October 26, 2017
William’s Doll is about a young boy who dreamed of having a doll of his own. His father suggested giving him a basketball, and his brother continuous;y teased him calling him a “Sissy.” His father went out and got him a basketball and a basketball hoop, and William began to practice. He was really good, but he still wanted a doll. His father brought him a train set that he played with a lot, but he still wanted the doll. One day his grandmother came to visit, and william explained how he loved playing all these other games but still wanted the doll. He said his father and brother disapproved, but his grandmother didn’t care and bought him a doll. When William’s father became angry about it, the grandmother explained that he needs the doll in order to learn how to be a father that takes care of his baby one day too. I think this is a really sweet story breaking the bounds of gender roles. William isn’t suggested to be any type of sexual orientation, but he just really wants that doll. I think this would be a good book to read in the class because it is developmentally appropriate for a Kindergarten level class. This realistic narrative offers an option to young students that suggests there isn’t one specific way to play or love toys.
November 28, 2017
I'm so relieved that I still liked this book. I just do not like the cover of this book. I'm not sure why exactly, but this cover is just not for me. Thankfully though, the content inside is every bit as good as I hoped I'd remembered it. My daughter also enjoyed the book. I feel like this book should be mandatory reading for anyone raising boys. Raising a boy that wants to nurture a doll means you have done an excellent job. Being able to be kind and nurturing doesn't preclude one from being able to play sports or whatever it is society currently values in maleness.
This is one of those really important books.
My personal feeling is that children should be raised able to do anything. I'm raising a daughter. I plan to raise her to cook, craft, clean, haul out the trash, go to work, use the lawnmower, assemble Ikea furniture, fix her own computer and be nurturing enough to raise children should she so choose. I feel that boys should be raised the same way. Raise children that are complete people all on their own.
So for me, this was just a great book. I imagine William won't grow up to be a dad who calls it babysitting when he watches his own children... lol
This is one of those really important books.
My personal feeling is that children should be raised able to do anything. I'm raising a daughter. I plan to raise her to cook, craft, clean, haul out the trash, go to work, use the lawnmower, assemble Ikea furniture, fix her own computer and be nurturing enough to raise children should she so choose. I feel that boys should be raised the same way. Raise children that are complete people all on their own.
So for me, this was just a great book. I imagine William won't grow up to be a dad who calls it babysitting when he watches his own children... lol
January 13, 2011
William WANTS a doll but his brother and friend makes fun of him. His dad buys him a basketball and a train set which he plays with but he STILL wants a doll! Wait till Grandmother comes to visit and see what SHE does... This is an excellent book for kids AND adults! Very simple but to the point.
December 4, 2010
My heart literally hurt while I was reading this. I almost started crying. It reminds me so much of the story I've heard about my husband and his doll. I wish so many more people would read this book. Boys need to learn to be nurturers too!
November 24, 2007
Weird in a Dare Wright way. What Southerners would call "sweet"--and not in a nice way.
September 2, 2019
When William asks for a doll, his brother says, “Don’t be a creep.” His next-door neighbor chants, “Sissy, sissy, sissy.” His father offers him a basketball, attaches a net to the garage, and shows him how to jump and throw the ball into the net. William practices and practices, and gets good at throwing the ball into the net.
But he still wants a doll.
His father buys him an electric train and William plays with it a lot. He uses twigs for trees and builds bridges, tunnels, and stations from cardboard boxes.
But he still wants a doll.
And then, one day, William’s grandmother comes to visit.
Young readers will enjoy reading this book with their parents and discussing William’s wish for a doll. Sharing this story with children will provide parents with a perfect opportunity to discuss stereotypes associated with gender and to share their thoughts about William’s reason for wanting a doll.
Charmingly illustrated, the targeted audience for the book is ages four through eight; however, its Lexile Level of 840L places it at a skilled fourth grade or fifth grade level for independent reading. Nevertheless, whether read independently or read by a parent to a younger child, this is an important book to share with children.
Highly recommended.
But he still wants a doll.
His father buys him an electric train and William plays with it a lot. He uses twigs for trees and builds bridges, tunnels, and stations from cardboard boxes.
But he still wants a doll.
And then, one day, William’s grandmother comes to visit.
Young readers will enjoy reading this book with their parents and discussing William’s wish for a doll. Sharing this story with children will provide parents with a perfect opportunity to discuss stereotypes associated with gender and to share their thoughts about William’s reason for wanting a doll.
Charmingly illustrated, the targeted audience for the book is ages four through eight; however, its Lexile Level of 840L places it at a skilled fourth grade or fifth grade level for independent reading. Nevertheless, whether read independently or read by a parent to a younger child, this is an important book to share with children.
Highly recommended.
February 22, 2020
How did I not know about this book!? It's sweet and wonderful and shows how boys are shamed for having "feminine" interests and how that is unacceptable. It's not a perfect book, but it is delightful.
December 2, 2020
Thank goodness for understanding, rational grandmothers. William wants a doll, which, to some of the people around him, is odd and unacceptable. They give him basketballs and trains instead because heaven knows what a young boy who play with dolls will turn out like. Oh wait - grandma gets it. He will turn out to be nurturing and caring. Annoying that this is still relevant.
June 5, 2017
NOTE: For any of you who wish to see this review with added page photos, visit my side blog: https://mindfullreads.tumblr.com/post...!
AGE RATING:
5+ years
William’s Doll, a picture book published by 1970s writer Charlotte Zolotow and artist William Pène Du Bois, a powerful story about a little boy who dreams of having a doll so he can practice being the caring, nurturing father he wants to be some day.
The plot of William’s Doll is a simple one: William, a young boy, wishes for his father to buy him a doll instead of the typical “boy toys” that are the only play things that his parent will buy for him.
image
It is immediately clear to the reader that this is done to protect William from a society all too ready to shame him for his wish – a wish he is already being made fun of for having by his older brother and next door neighbor – but secretly, this does not deter William from wishing for a doll to play with, a toy he can pretend that is his baby and thus act like the father he hopes to one day be.
image
Like the plot, the minimalist watercolors used to illustrate the sparse artwork works to help portray the powerful message William’s Doll is ultimately trying to teach the reader, a message that packs a hell of a punch while being neither heavy-handed or subtle at the same time. This balance is really where William’s Doll excels where so many other books have failed, bringing up a conversation with the reader about the unfairness of gender roles in today’s society and the importance of parenthood (particularly fatherhood!) in a way that both adults and children can identify with.
image
Fortunately, in this story Grandma comes to the rescue, buying William his much coveted doll and giving her own son a stern talking to about being a good parent and father; However, the fact that this is still a relevant problem with today’s generation is still saddening, especially since gender stereotyping and segregation seems to happen to children at younger and younger ages the more time goes on.
image
Reading William’s Doll now, I can’t not think this book really deserves it’s status as an underrated classic of children’s literature. The fact that this was published in the 70s just goes to show that this is a book made before its time, and will continue to be timeless through the years to come.
If any parent is looking for a thoughtful and genre-breaking book for their child about what it really means to be a good father, then William’s Doll is definitely the book for you!
AGE RATING:
5+ years
William’s Doll, a picture book published by 1970s writer Charlotte Zolotow and artist William Pène Du Bois, a powerful story about a little boy who dreams of having a doll so he can practice being the caring, nurturing father he wants to be some day.
The plot of William’s Doll is a simple one: William, a young boy, wishes for his father to buy him a doll instead of the typical “boy toys” that are the only play things that his parent will buy for him.
image
It is immediately clear to the reader that this is done to protect William from a society all too ready to shame him for his wish – a wish he is already being made fun of for having by his older brother and next door neighbor – but secretly, this does not deter William from wishing for a doll to play with, a toy he can pretend that is his baby and thus act like the father he hopes to one day be.
image
Like the plot, the minimalist watercolors used to illustrate the sparse artwork works to help portray the powerful message William’s Doll is ultimately trying to teach the reader, a message that packs a hell of a punch while being neither heavy-handed or subtle at the same time. This balance is really where William’s Doll excels where so many other books have failed, bringing up a conversation with the reader about the unfairness of gender roles in today’s society and the importance of parenthood (particularly fatherhood!) in a way that both adults and children can identify with.
image
Fortunately, in this story Grandma comes to the rescue, buying William his much coveted doll and giving her own son a stern talking to about being a good parent and father; However, the fact that this is still a relevant problem with today’s generation is still saddening, especially since gender stereotyping and segregation seems to happen to children at younger and younger ages the more time goes on.
image
Reading William’s Doll now, I can’t not think this book really deserves it’s status as an underrated classic of children’s literature. The fact that this was published in the 70s just goes to show that this is a book made before its time, and will continue to be timeless through the years to come.
If any parent is looking for a thoughtful and genre-breaking book for their child about what it really means to be a good father, then William’s Doll is definitely the book for you!
October 24, 2017
"William's Doll" is a very interesting book with a nice plot/twist. I love it because little boys grow up all the time with the notion that they should play with certain toys, wear certain clothes, and even possess certain characteristics. I was a bit confused at first as to why William wanted a doll. After continuing the story, i realized that maybe there was a good reason William wanted a doll in the first place. William's brother and neighbor represent typical reactions in our society where boys are teased for wanting to partake in "girlish" activities. William's father also represent the American Dad that goes against his child's wishes because "Father knows best." Instead of talking to William to understand why he wanted a doll, his father bought him toys that he deemed appropriate for a boy. Many dads fear having a gay son, therefore, they try to decide what a boy should have and do. When his grandmother came to visit, William felt more comfortable expressing himself to her. Thank goodness for Grandmothers! She listened to William and understood his reasoning for wanting a doll. William was able to hear grandmother's perspective in contrast to his father's. William's father was furious that grandmother bought him a doll because, of course, William is a boy. Grandmother finally explained to William's dad that William wanted to practice hugging, caring for, and nurturing the doll so he could be a great father someday, too, just like his Father. The genre of this book is realistic fiction that will leave children questioning William's character because William is also the age of many children that will read this book. The pictures help tell the story also because they are nicely drawn and have much detail. From the settings, you can almost figure out what is going on in the story.
January 15, 2014
Written in 1972, this book was daring for the time.
I'd like to think that society is much more accepting of little boys who don't want to play rough and tumble sports, who don't care for basketball (even if they are good at it) and who want to play with a doll.
William longs for a doll to play with. All the taunting and teasing by his brother and neighborhood boy, naturally called names like sissy and creepy, did not take away the desire William had to possess a doll.
His grandmother understood him and purchased a beautiful blue eyed doll with a white dress and eyes that made a clicking noise when the closed.
In a mere 32 pages, the author affirmed that society can be wrong...oh so wrong at times.
And, I loved the strong message of a grandmother who unconditionally accepted, encouraged and loved William.
I'd like to think that society is much more accepting of little boys who don't want to play rough and tumble sports, who don't care for basketball (even if they are good at it) and who want to play with a doll.
William longs for a doll to play with. All the taunting and teasing by his brother and neighborhood boy, naturally called names like sissy and creepy, did not take away the desire William had to possess a doll.
His grandmother understood him and purchased a beautiful blue eyed doll with a white dress and eyes that made a clicking noise when the closed.
In a mere 32 pages, the author affirmed that society can be wrong...oh so wrong at times.
And, I loved the strong message of a grandmother who unconditionally accepted, encouraged and loved William.
Read
November 22, 2016Due Nov 22, 2016
c) Text-to-World Connection: How does a theme or content presented in the book connect to something happening in the world?
this book covers issues on gender roles and gender stereotypes involving children. This is a issue that happens in the home, world, and schools .most boys are taught that girls only play with dolls. most girls are taught that boys only play with race cars. I believe a child should be exposed to different types of toys, sports, and activities. when children are exposed to different things it gives them the opportunity to learn more. one way a child can play out different roles is in the dramatic play center in the classroom. for example ,if a girl wants to dress up as a policeman she should be allowed to because women can become a police officer .In today world people are still using gender stereotype in the workplace.
c) Text-to-World Connection: How does a theme or content presented in the book connect to something happening in the world?
this book covers issues on gender roles and gender stereotypes involving children. This is a issue that happens in the home, world, and schools .most boys are taught that girls only play with dolls. most girls are taught that boys only play with race cars. I believe a child should be exposed to different types of toys, sports, and activities. when children are exposed to different things it gives them the opportunity to learn more. one way a child can play out different roles is in the dramatic play center in the classroom. for example ,if a girl wants to dress up as a policeman she should be allowed to because women can become a police officer .In today world people are still using gender stereotype in the workplace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2019
Definitely feels dated but to me that's a good thing...I like that I could say to people, hey, this book came out in 1972, even then we knew it was okay for boys to play with dolls. But will present challenges for contemporary kids...I had to, for example, explain the word "sissy" to my kid. I think I'm grateful that this book does feel a little bit dated, it means at least we've made some progress.
December 8, 2013
This is a lovely little book. I know this story myself because of Free to be... You and Me, in which a beautiful musical version of the story is presented. That version is a little different from the original, so don't expect exactly the same words. The musical version rhymes and the book doesn't, but the story and sentiment and message are exactly the same, which is why I think this is such a wonderful book. I think it's important for young boys to grow up to be good fathers (even if that's not what they are destined to become), because it is an important life lesson, how to nurture and take care of another human being. Perhaps, if more boys had a doll to take care of, there would be less violence against others in our world. William's grandma was a wise woman.
March 22, 2017
I enjoyed reading this story and i like the message it sends to young readers. William really wants a doll so he can care for it . His brother and the other boys call him a creep and a sissy for wanting a doll. His dad seems a little uncomfortable with William wanting a doll so he goes out and buys him toys that he deems more appropriate for a boy. William enjoyed the toys but he still wanted a doll. His grandmother eventually gets him a doll and explains to William's father that the doll is essentially useful in fostering skills that will help William to become a great nurturing father to his own kids in the future. This story refutes the idea of " boy toys" and "girl toys".
September 16, 2018
William wants a doll to play with, carry around, etc.
William also enjoys playing with a ball and train that his dad got for him (instead of a doll)
However, his Grandma fully supports it, and the lesson she teaches not only William, but HIS DAD and teasing Brother, are the WHAM! BAM! POW! make you cry of the story. The illustrations are very realistic and pretty, even if the book is itself very dated, it is still a cute read.
William also enjoys playing with a ball and train that his dad got for him (instead of a doll)
However, his Grandma fully supports it, and the lesson she teaches not only William, but HIS DAD and teasing Brother, are the WHAM! BAM! POW! make you cry of the story. The illustrations are very realistic and pretty, even if the book is itself very dated, it is still a cute read.
July 12, 2010
This book is about a boy who wants a doll, but is discouraged by peers and father.
Themes -- gender roles, acceptance
I wouldn't use this book with children, it is preachy towards parents with a dull story line.
Themes -- gender roles, acceptance
I wouldn't use this book with children, it is preachy towards parents with a dull story line.
March 16, 2016
Nice story, but the illustrations do make William seem creepy - not because he is a boy who wants a doll, but because he is far too old to want to play with dolls. And I really don't get why they chose the basketball picture for the cover.
May 2, 2014
Quite a groundbreaking and forward looking book. More than 40 years after first being published in 1972, it is just as relevant today. It is a gentle story and I liked it.
June 9, 2019
Someone in my #IMWAYR blogging community mentioned this book recently, so I immediately requested it be shipped in from another library. William's Doll was published the year I was born (1972)!
It begins:
And somehow this is a problem for his brother and another neighborhood boy who calls him a creep and a sissy. And it seems to be a problem for his father because he immediately purchases him a basketball and hoop and a train set with a cool track. William enjoyed his father's gifts, but he still wanted a doll. Thankfully, William's grandmother knows better -- Williams is simply preparing for fatherhood.
I'm certain that little boys are still made fun of when they play with dolls or dress up in dresses or put on make-up, but I'm glad to see we at least have more children's literature and conversations about gender stereotyping, today. The artwork is lacking by modern standards and I don't think the cover of William's Doll would attract too many 4-8 year olds. But this was definitely a bold children's book for the time period!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
It begins:
William wanted a doll.
He wanted to hug it
and cradle it in his arms...
And somehow this is a problem for his brother and another neighborhood boy who calls him a creep and a sissy. And it seems to be a problem for his father because he immediately purchases him a basketball and hoop and a train set with a cool track. William enjoyed his father's gifts, but he still wanted a doll. Thankfully, William's grandmother knows better -- Williams is simply preparing for fatherhood.
I'm certain that little boys are still made fun of when they play with dolls or dress up in dresses or put on make-up, but I'm glad to see we at least have more children's literature and conversations about gender stereotyping, today. The artwork is lacking by modern standards and I don't think the cover of William's Doll would attract too many 4-8 year olds. But this was definitely a bold children's book for the time period!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
August 8, 2021
This is another one I first read to a kid who's in his mid-twenties now, so ... that seems impossible, but ok. It's still an amazing rule-breaker of a book. William wants a doll and his dad is not happy about it. Considering it was originally published in 1972, that's not surprising, I suppose. Doesn't mean it still didn't apply to said nephew in 1996, when he was born, unfortunately. Gender stereotypes are h a r d to break, friends, but if you look at the literature that's out there today? Wow, what a long way we've come. Still: Got to pay your respects to the originals, the groundbreakers, the classics of the genre, and William's Doll still stands up - both in book version, and it's adaptation/inspiration song in the original Free to Be You & Me
December 17, 2020
For many years we've given this book and a (Black) baby doll to friends and relatives who had baby boys. I found a rare, mint, hardback copy in a second-hand bookstore and re-read it for the first time in many years and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the images and the gentle, direct moral delivered by the text.
April 8, 2019
This book actually has a great story line. Obviously in the world people see it as weird when a little boy wants a doll. I think this is important because in our society now, it is okay for children and even adults to explore and be who they want. Even though William's purpose was to become a good parent one day, it's still a good lesson for children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews