Doll Trouble
SA story of Loss, Courage, and Empathy.
Emma and her beloved doll, Mia, do everything together—until a tragic accident with a lawn mower leaves Mia disfigured. When Emma is teased by other children, she hides Mia away. But when she meets Sophia, Emma discovers that true bravery means standing by those you love and finding the courage to help others.
I’m the oldest of five siblings, so my toys rarely “lived” to see old age. Between a house full of kids and a particularly busy brother, I spent a lot of my childhood figuring out how to keep loving my dolls after they ended up with missing limbs or shaved heads. Those early lessons in empathy—loving something even when it isn’t “perfect”—became the heart of this story.
But the spark for Doll Trouble really ignited when I watched the kids next door playing while their dad mowed the lawn. It brought back the memory of my cousin, who lost several toes in a lawnmower accident as a child. I wanted to weave those two worlds together: a story that celebrates the resilience of a well-loved toy, while gently alerting children to the very real dangers of lawnmowers.
I loved reading this book and seeing how Emma dealt with the injury of her beloved doll Mia. With Mia, her best friend, Emma could be brave and adventurous. But when disaster struck, Emma had to figure out what to do next. Without ruining the ending, I can say that Emma faced negative comments about Mia, tried different strategies to live with the problem of what happened to Mia, and eventually arrived at a confident just-right-for-her solution. Enchanting illustrations add to Emma and Mia’s story. This book will be good for talking about feelings, disappointments, teasing, and getting beyond accidents. Great read! ~ Angie
So many children will relate to this sweet story about how everything is different for Emma after her beloved doll, Mia, has a run-in with the lawn mower. Emma still loves Mia, but when others make fun of Mia after the accident, Emma starts to lose her courage. Mia always helped Emma feel brave before, and this story shows how Emma learns to be brave for her doll and make a new friend in the process. Lovely themes and lovely illustrations for an all-around lovely picture book! ~ Heather
A sweet story about a girl who wants to remain loyal to a special doll, even after the doll is “injured.” You’ll be rooting for Emma as she defends her beloved doll, Mia. This book is a perfect reminder that loyalty is a wonderful thing, and that old things, even broken things, are not something we need to discard. Sometimes, they’re worth keeping. ~ Maria
What a sweet, sensitive, meaningful story–one that is a totally relatable winner! It speaks to children and adults alike about compassion, trust, and how even seemingly small acts of various types can be examples of bravery. Finding all instances of bravery in this story is the basis for a great conversation between kids and adults to have after reading it. I highly recommend this book! ~ K G
This tender story is perfect for all those kids who have found emotional support in a stuffy or doll. As the main character pushes past sadness, she finds an emotional connection and a new friend. An excellent SEL choice for the classroom or home, showcasing personal growth, empathy, and friendship. ~ Beth
Every child has a toy or stuffy that helps make their world safe and bright but what happens when, through no fault of their own, that same toy makes the child’s world unwelcoming? This is that story of a girl who must find the strength in herself to be brave and create a safe world for the both of them. Great for bedtime or in a group to talk about all the ways there are to be brave. ~ Jen
Doll Trouble is a sweet, heartfelt story that mixes friendship, a bit of adventure, and charmingly quirky illustrations. The charm comes is in the genuine-to-life portrayal of a girl and her connection with her favorite toy. The whole story has a cozy, comforting feel that makes it especially enjoyable to settle into. ~ Taylor