House of Dolls Hardcover – June 1, 2010

Madison Blackberry's dolls live the high life in a sumptuous dollhouse, with handmade clothes and furnishings, provided lovingly by Madison's grandmother. The problem is, Madison is being ignored by the adults in her life, and she's taking her resentment out on the dolls.A good story that is both tragic and hopeful, about the importance of time spent with your children. The issue of the grandmother showing her love for her granddaughter by providing her with these lavish "things" for her dolls, but not lavishing her time on the girl is an important message for anyone. And the story's resolution is satisfying. I certainly enjoyed the book and message, and, of course, the illustrations. (The main reason I bought it. I'm a huge fan of Barbara McClintock's work.)I haven't read this aloud to my girls, because the dolls in the story have "boyfriends", and one of the ways the little girl punishes the dolls is by sending their boyfriends to "war" (a shoebox in the closet.) This is a very big deal to the dolls, and while nothing inappropriate goes on, I feel like that is not an issue I want raised front and center with my little girls. There will be plenty of time for that later. So this is one book I will have to keep for my own enjoyment for a few more years.

I'm a big Francesca Lia Block fan and have been for years now.I agree with the other reviews regarding the very delicate way that the subjects are addressed in this book. And I would be tempted to say that unless you're a big FLB fan or perhaps a tween, it might be too simplistic to really enjoy. In this case I would recommend a number of other FLB books as introductions, such as Dangerous Angels (The Weetzie Bat Books) or if one wants to go darker, the breathtaking Echo or Wasteland. My biggest beef with this book is that though the subjects are dealt with so delicately, I have to wonder if it's too delicate and may be best for a younger audience. In that case, it's not really a critique of the quality of the story.That being said, FLB does manage to weave a short tale that leaves one curious. I wonder a lot about Madison, the little girl who owns the dollhouse and all the dolls inside. To me it feels as though the story wraps up too neatly as I feel there is more going on there with her. However, there is so much to unravel when you really think about what FLB is saying with the characters and therefore there is a great deal of depth.Overall, I think this book succeeds in introducing some pretty deep concepts to a younger reader, and maybe even expands the minds of some of us older readers. The illustrations are beautiful as well.

With one exception, I've pretty much been disappointed in the books Block has been publishing the past few years but this book has restored my faith in her ability to share a simple story with deep meaning. Written for a younger audience than most of her books, she never condescends to her reader. This is, in fact, the perfect book for tweens who are at an age where metaphor and symbolism begin to have greater meaning. The illustrations are lovely and work well to complement the text. A lovely story. I hope that this is a sign of more good things to come.

For small children but it’s cute

less than what i'd hoped it is well written and put together but a bit shallow.

Block satisfies yet again in this beautiful little book about the secret life of a dollhouse. The story sucks you in along with the lovely illustrations--and how can one not love a book with a character named Madison Blackberry?

I always have adored this author. This book came on time, in good quality. Simple easy read. Read it in about 30 minutes. I am sure some day I will read it again :)

I bought the book for my granddaughter and I'm sure she will like the story. For me, the illustrations make the book. They are fantastic!