Having Fun with Toys

The dolls wanted to show off all their Christmas presents, but decided that it would be enough just to show you their favorites, so each doll picked one favorite to be photographed with. They started with the youngest: Billy.

"I love my new sled," Billy said. "It's wonderful! I can hardly wait to use it." Then he looked a little sad. "If we ever get snow!" he sighed.
"Don't worry, Billy," Veronika said. "In a few days we will all go up the mountain and play in the snow while Jolena skis."

This cheered Billy up, and he looked happy again.
Mariah was next. "I asked Santa for a doll that looks like me," she said, "and look what I got!" She posed with her doll.

"She's really cute," said Charlotte, as Mariah took the doll carefully out of the box. Charlotte picked up the box to put into the recycling bin.
"She will be fun to play with, too," Mariah sighed and asked for one more photo with her new doll out of the box.

Jolena was next. "My favorite present is this mixing bowl," she said. "I love to cook, and this bowl is heavy enough so it won't slide around when I'm stirring. It's yellow ware, and it's real!"
It was so heavy, she decided to sit on the floor with it to have her photo taken.

"Besides, it's pretty!" said Veronika, who recognizes pretty things.
It was Charlotte's turn next. "My feet don't reach the ground when I sit in the little chairs that are still too big," she said. "This footstool isn't only useful, it's cute as well," Charlotte said. "I love sheep," she added. She brought a chair over to the tree, so she could demonstrate.

When it was Mandy's turn, she picked the beautiful yarn she had received. "I can hardly wait to knit something with it," she said. "It's my favorite color!"

"Every color is your favorite color," laughed Veronika.
"That's true," agreed Mandy. "I guess my favorite color is the one I have in front of me. I love that they're all different!"

Veronika was last. "My favorite gift was given to me by Mandy," she said. "It's this book. It's all about Mr. Rogers. I'm a big fan of Mr. Rogers."

"He's my favorite philosopher (fill-aw-sih-fur)," she added, pronouncing it very carefully. "That's someone who shares wisdom with us."

Mariah came and sat down on the sled next to Billy, who scooted over a bit to make room for her. "May I try your sled sometime?" Mariah asked.

"Sure," said Billy. "We can take turns, if it ever snows. It will be fun!"
"Maybe we can ride on it together, too," Mariah suggested.
"Then if we get too cold, we can come inside and play with your doll, if that's okay," Billy said.

"I didn't know you liked dolls," Mariah said.

"Dolls are toys, and toys are fun," Billy explained. "You can use your imagination with dolls. I like dolls. In fact, I am a doll. I'm a boy doll."

They both laughed. "You're right," agreed Mariah. "There are toys that are fun to ride and toys that you can pretend things with. Boys like to pretend, too, and girls like to ride on sleds."
"Sharing is fun," said Mariah. "That way we have twice as many things to play with."
"You're right," agreed Billy. "Sharing is fun, but I will always ask you if I can play with your doll before I do it."
"Thank you," said Mariah. "I will always ask you if it's okay to use your sled before I use it."

Billy may not have been long out of his box. Billy might be a boy, but he's a boy with sisters, and he knows dolls are fun to play with. Mariah likes to play with dolls, but she likes cars and trains, too, and sleds. She knows that boys and girls can enjoy the same kinds of toys. They are both smart dolls, and they get smarter every day.

Jolena called from the front window. "Look, everyone! It snowed."
Billy picked up his sled. He and Mariah were the first two out the door. "Come out and play with us in the snow, everyone!" Billy cried.
"Yes," exclaimed Mariah. Come see the snow! Come out and play!"

Cast--

Jolena: Götz Happy Kidz Lena in Aspen
Veronika: Götz Classic Kidz Vroni

Mandy: Götz Happy Kidz Katie 2015
Charlotte: Götz Happy Kidz Anna in Paris
Mariah: Götz Happy Kidz Mariah, "Chosen" from My Doll Best Friend 
Billy: Götz Happy Kidz Lily of London

Note: No dolls were harmed during production of this blog. All dolls shown are Götz Happy Kidz or Classic Kidz. If you like these stories and are willing, please make a donation of any amount to a charity that supports pediatric cancer, such as CURE Childhood Cancer or St. Baldrick's Foundation.
Sled purchased from Rowdytown.

“The Doll’s Storybook” is not affiliated with Gotz Dolls USA Inc. or Götz Puppenmanufaktur International GmbH.

Watch for the next story each Friday afternoon at 2:00 PM Pacific Time.

Copyright © 2018 by Peggy Stuart 

Santa Visits

Part One

It was Saturday morning. You could see that Billy and Mariah were excited. They had their hats and coats on an hour before we had to leave.

The two lucky dolls were going to visit Santa for the first time!

Both dolls wore their seat belts in the car. They watched the sky move by, with a glimpse of a traffic light or telephone line from time to time, because that was all they could see. They were on their way to the shopping mall where we knew Santa would be stopping in to meet children in person (while they are awake) and find out what they wanted for Christmas.

It was exciting when Santa arrived. All the children cheered Santa Claus as he came through the door, ringing his reindeer bells.

We had to wait for an hour for our number to come up, but Mariah and Billy were able to share one seat, to save room for others.

From time to time, a small child would come and pick up Mariah or Billy and walk around with them, or take their hats off and try to put them on again. The two dolls knew to pretend to be ordinary dolls. They didn't move or talk, but they enjoyed meeting real children and making real children happy.

Finally it was their turn to sit with Santa. They were still. They didn't move. They didn't talk. They pretended to be ordinary dolls, but Santa knew. Santa knew!

Santa speaks doll language, so they could tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Santa knew what they were saying to him, but he pretended that they were just ordinary dolls.

"I would like to have a sled," said Billy to Santa.
"I will do my best," said Santa to Billy. He did it without moving his lips.
"I would like to have a doll that looks like me," said Mariah to Santa.
"I'll see what I can do," Santa replied without talking out loud.

When they finished talking with Santa, the lady who gets paid for taking photos took this.

Billy and Mariah were so excited after their visit with Santa, they chattered happily all the way home.

When the two dolls came into the house, Charlotte and Jolena were waiting for them. The girls were very excited to find out how the visit with Santa went.

Billy and Mariah told the other dolls about sitting in the chair, waiting. They told them about being picked up by small children and carried around. They told them about how Santa held them like ordinary dolls and talked to them in their heads, the way dolls do.
"It was wonderful!" exclaimed Billy.
"Santa was wonderful!" exclaimed Mariah.
"Everyone was wonderful!" Billy added. 

"I heard some things I didn't quite understand, though," Billy said. "Can you tell me what 'naughty' means?"
"That's an interesting question," Charlotte said. "Dolls don't do naughty except by pretend. We just do nice. We have to be a good example for children."
"We are good at nice," agreed Jolena.

"Santa told us we were on the 'nice' list," Billy said. "He said we had been good dolls and were not naughty."
Jolena knew about this, because she had learned how to be a good doll. "Naughty is the opposite of being good," she explained. "Naughty is doing something that is unkind or that hurts someone else. We should always treat other dolls the way we want to be treated."
"Naughty can also be doing something that hurts ourselves," Charlotte said, "like staying up past bedtime without permission, or eating a big piece of cake right before dinner, or saying we brushed our teeth when we hadn't."

"I don't want to be naughty," Mariah said. "It must be hard to be a real child sometimes. They must sometimes want to be naughty."
The other dolls agreed. It must be difficult sometimes to be a real child.

Part Two
The days passed, and finally it was Christmas Eve. All the dolls went to bed early. They brushed their teeth, then climbed into bed so Mandy could read "The Night Before Christmas" to them. Mandy put on her glasses and began, "'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." 
"When does Santa come?" Billy asked, interrupting the story.
"Santa won't come yet. We are awake, and at least one mouse is stirring," Jolena said. There, on the top of Mandy's book, sat a little mouse.

The mouse was welcome to listen, too, but soon Mandy stopped reading, because the dolls were excited and wanted to talk about Santa."Why does Santa bring us presents at Christmas?" Billy asked.

This was an important question. He wanted to know, and he wasn't the only one.
"It isn't just Santa," said Mandy, as Billy climbed out from under the covers, so he could sit where he could see her better. "Santa has lots of helpers, too. We are all Santa's helpers when we give each other Christmas presents."

"Then why does Santa bring presents and why do we give each other presents?" Billy persisted.

"I think it's because Christmas is when Christians remember the gift given to them by God." Veronika said. "It's the day we remember the birth of Baby Jesus. You know the story; it's in all the carols we sang."

"Why is the birth of the baby so important?" Mariah asked. "To everyone, I mean. New babies are always important to their families, I think," she added.

"Well," said Veronika, "Whether we are Christian or not, the Baby Jesus grew up to teach people and dolls to love each other, to look after the poor in the world, and to welcome people and dolls who are new. That's good for everyone to know."

Mandy nodded and put her glasses on the top of her head, as she often did when she wasn't reading. "Santa is reminding us of that special gift every time he gives us a present. Dolls don't need reminding, but children do," she said. "When children see us get presents from Santa it reminds them to be kind to others."

"I'm glad we get to remind children," Billy said.
The other dolls all agreed. It was fun to get presents from Santa and from each other. It was fun to know they were helping children remember to be kind.
Mandy put her glasses back on, and the dolls heard the rest of the story. "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" Mandy said finally and closed the book.
It was getting late. Mouse had gone to bed. He was tired, and he knew how the story ended. The dolls put on their sleep masks, which they wear to sleep because their eyes don't close. Then they snuggled down under the covers and went to sleep. 
Billy knew he was going to dream about having a new sled, and he was hoping we would get snow soon.

He could imagine himself, standing on the front porch with his new sled, waiting for the snow to fall, so he could go sledding.

The dolls lay very still in bed. They didn't need the light on, because dolls are not afraid of the dark, but we left it on so you could see them sleep. It doesn't matter if the light is on, because they only sleep with their sleep masks on. They slept with three heads on one pillow...

...and three heads on the other pillow.

They are good at lying still; they are dolls. They dreamed about what Santa might bring them, but they also dreamed of a world where people and dolls are kind to and love each other.

Merry Christmas to all, from Veronika, Mandy, Charlotte, Jolena, Mariah, Billy and Mouse!

Cast--

Jolena: Götz Happy Kidz Lena in Aspen
Veronika: Götz Classic Kidz Vroni

Mandy: Götz Happy Kidz Katie 2015
Charlotte: Götz Happy Kidz Anna in Paris
Mariah: Götz Happy Kidz Mariah, "Chosen" from My Doll Best Friend
Billy: Götz Happy Kidz Lily of London
Mouse: A cat toy

You can keep track of Santa's progress until bedtime at Norad Tracks Santa. Thanks to the Old Mill District (sponsor), Shine Events and Karen Cammack Photography, as well as to Santa for coming from the North Pole to visit children when he is so busy. Official Santa photo by Karen Cammack Photography.
Sled from Rowdytown.

To Parents: This may be read as two stories, if you want to save Part Two for Christmas Eve.

You can follow The Doll's Storybook here.

Do you have questions or comments for us? Would you like to order an autographed copy of one of our books? You can email us at thedollsstorybook@icloud.com.

Note: No dolls were harmed during production of this blog. All dolls shown are Götz Happy Kidz, Classic Kidz or Little Kidz. If you like these stories and are willing, please make a donation of any amount to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or any organization that supports pediatric cancer research and treatment. We are not affiliated with St. Jude in any way other than these donations.

"The Doll's Storybook" is not affiliated with Gotz Dolls USA Inc. or Götz Puppenmanufaktur International GmbH.
Watch for the next story each Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.

Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook, Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook, Classic Tales Retold: Stories from The Doll's Storybook and Our Favorite Verses: Poems from The Doll's Storybook are available from BookBaby and other booksellers worldwide, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Author's page on Amazon. 

Royalties (net proceeds) go to support pediatric cancer research and treatment. If you don't get free shipping elsewhere, buy from Book Baby. Half of the price goes to charity (specific information available upon request). Autographed copies of all three books are available from the author. (Multiple books to the same address have a discount on shipping.) To inquire, email thedollsstorybook@icloud.com.

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Copyright © 2018, 2023 by Peggy Stuart

Caroling and Dreaming

The mother and the father were in the kitchen, getting supper ready. The boy and the girl were in the living room, reading.

Suddenly, the girl looked up. “What’s that sound?” she asked.

The boy stopped reading and listened. “It sounds like tiny feet on the front porch,” he said.

“Do you think it’s Santa Claus?” The girl asked.

Then there was another sound. “That sounds like someone is scratching on the front door,” the boy said. “Santa comes down the chimney, not through the front door.” 

“Let’s go see,” said the girl. “Help me, so we can hurry!”

The boy pushed the girl’s wheelchair to the front door. They opened the door slowly, and what do you think they saw?

“They’re singing, I think,” the girl said. 

“They’re caroling,” the boy agreed, “but how can they sing without moving their lips?”

“I think it’s a doll thing,” the girl replied.

The children watched and listened to two more carols, and finally “Silent Night.” Then, suddenly, the dolls were gone.

“Let’s not tell the parents,” the boy suggested.

“No,” agreed the girl. “They wouldn’t understand.”

They quietly closed the door and went back into the living room. This time, the girl insisted on moving her chair on her own, which she did by placing her hands on the big rings that went around the wheels and pushing them forward.

They were quietly reading in the living room when the father called them to come and eat.

Back at home, the dolls took off their coats, hats, scarves and boots, and settled down in our living room for some pretend hot chocolate and a pretend snack. They had those little donuts that look like Cheerios, some raisins and some popcorn.

“That was fun,” said Charlotte. “We should do it again.”

“I like it when real children come to the door,” Jolena said, placing her cup carefully on its saucer.

“It was fun seeing a real boy,” Billy added, as he stuck his fingers through the holes in the little donuts, just to see how far they would go.

“Is that the first time you have seen a real boy, Billy?” Charlotte asked, taking another little donut from the plate Mandy offered her.

“Yes,” said Billy. “It’s the first time I’ve seen any real children. I really liked the thing the girl was sitting on, too,” he added, looking at the little donuts on his little fingers. “It had wheels, like a bicycle or a car, so you can ride it.”

“It’s a wheelchair,” said Mandy. “It’s for people who can't or shouldn't walk,” she explained. “I read a story once about a human person who had to use a wheelchair all the time.”

“I wondered about the wheelchair, so I looked it up. I learned that sometimes people just use a wheelchair for a short time,” Mandy explained, “if they have been injured or sick, or they need to go somewhere where they would have to do too much walking. Some people, even some children, need a wheelchair all their lives.”

“I think it would be fun,” said Billy.

“I think it would be fun for a while,” suggested Jolena, “but I like to get up and run or dance.”

The dolls all thought about that and agreed.

“I think using a wheelchair is better than lying in bed or sitting in one place all the time,” said Veronika, who knows about sitting in one place for a long time, because she’s a doll.

“I have an idea!” exclaimed Mariah, who had been sitting quietly, listening to the conversation. “Let’s go visit them at night, when they're asleep. It would be fun to tell them happy stories while they’re sleeping, so they have happy dreams.”

The dolls all thought that was a good idea.

“I want to tell stories to the boy,” said Billy. “I know what kinds of adventures boys like to have.”

“I want to take the girl with me when I do flips on my skis,” Jolena said. “I think she would like to know what it's like to fly.”

“And it would be safe,” agreed Mariah, “because you can’t be hurt in your dreams!”

The dolls all thought that would be fun. They picked up their little dishes and food and put everything away. Then they all brushed their teeth, which is hard to do, because they can’t really open their mouths. (They have to use their imaginations.) Finally, they put on their pajamas and went to bed. They dreamt about going caroling and visiting real children who were asleep.

Did you ever think that maybe when you have happy dreams at night, it’s because Mariah, Billy or Jolena, or one of the other dolls is sitting by your bed, telling you stories?

Or maybe you have a doll who lives with you who does that for you.

Cast--

Jolena: Götz Happy Kidz Lena in Aspen

Veronika: Götz Classic Kidz Vroni

Mandy: Götz Happy Kidz Katie 2015

Charlotte: Götz Happy Kidz Anna in Paris

Mariah: Götz Happy Kidz Mariah, “Chosen” from My Doll Best Friend

Billy: Götz Happy Kidz Lily of London

Caroling music to print was found here: https://www.heartwoodguitar.com/extras/christmas-carol-songbook/

You can follow The Doll's Storybook here.

Do you have questions or comments for us? Would you like to order an autographed copy of one of our books? You can email us at thedollsstorybook@icloud.com.

Note: No dolls were harmed during production of this blog. All dolls shown are Götz Happy Kidz, Classic Kidz or Little Kidz. If you like these stories and are willing, please make a donation of any amount to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or any organization that supports pediatric cancer research and treatment. We are not affiliated with St. Jude in any way other than these donations.

"The Doll's Storybook" is not affiliated with Gotz Dolls USA Inc. or Götz Puppenmanufaktur International GmbH.
Watch for the next story each Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.

Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook, Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook, Classic Tales Retold: Stories from The Doll's Storybook and Our Favorite Verses: Poems from The Doll's Storybook are available from BookBaby and other booksellers worldwide, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Author's page on Amazon. 

Royalties (net proceeds) go to support pediatric cancer research and treatment. If you don't get free shipping elsewhere, buy from Book Baby. Half of the price goes to charity (specific information available upon request). Autographed copies of all three books are available from the author. (Multiple books to the same address have a discount on shipping.) To inquire, email thedollsstorybook@icloud.com.

<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/19832501/?claim=j3fj3mbb8kt">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Copyright © 2018, 2023 by Peggy Stuart