Big Susan

Big Susan follows the secret life of a family of dolls who live in a dollhouse belonging to a girl named Susan. During the rest of the year, they remain still and silent in their miniature home, carefully arranged by their young owner. On Christmas Eve, magic brings the dolls to life for one special night. The Doll family experiences their own Christmas celebration while their human owner sleeps, leading to adventures within the confines of their dollhouse world. The 1947 book is illustrated by author Elizabeth Orton Jones, who created detailed drawings of the dolls and their tiny domestic setting. The story maintains its place as a Christmas classic, having been republished in 2002 for its 55th anniversary. This children's fantasy explores themes of imagination and the hidden magic in everyday objects, suggesting that ordinary things may contain extraordinary secrets when no one is watching.

Readers describe Big Susan as a cherished childhood holiday book that creates a sense of wonder about toys coming to life. Many mention re-reading it annually at Christmas and sharing it with their children. What readers liked: - Detailed, realistic illustrations that reveal new details with each reading - Gentle, quiet storytelling style - The warmth and coziness of the dollhouse setting - Handling of deeper themes about love and belonging What readers disliked: - Out-of-print status makes copies expensive and hard to find - Some found the pacing slow - A few mentioned the book felt dated Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (197 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (51 ratings) Common reader comments: "A perfect Christmas Eve bedtime story" "The illustrations make you believe the dolls are real" "Captures the magic of childhood imagination" "Worth the hunt to find a copy"

The Doll's House by Rumer Godden The story of a Victorian dollhouse and its inhabitants who come alive at night shares the same intimate exploration of toys' secret lives as Big Susan.

Hitty: Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field This tale chronicles a wooden doll's century-long adventures through different owners and circumstances, capturing the same timeless charm of beloved playthings.

The Mouse and His Child by Russell Hoban Two mechanical mice navigate the world beyond their toy shop in a journey that mirrors the blend of magic and reality found in Big Susan.

Miss Happiness and Miss Flower by Rumer Godden Two Japanese dolls find their place in an English household through the care of a young girl, echoing the deep connection between dolls and their owners.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo A china rabbit experiences life through multiple owners and adventures, reflecting the same theme of toys holding deep meaning in human lives.

🎄 The book inspired similar stories about living toys, including The Doll People series and Toy Story films 🏠 Elizabeth Orton Jones meticulously studied real dollhouses to ensure accurate architectural and furnishing details in her illustrations 📚 The author won the Caldecott Medal in 1945 for her illustrations in "Prayer for a Child," two years before publishing Big Susan 🌟 The 1947 first edition featured unique production details including gilt edges and a special cloth binding to make it feel like a premium gift book 🎨 Jones lived in Mason, New Hampshire, where she later became known as "Twig" and helped transform an abandoned schoolhouse into a children's theater called Andy's Summer Playhouse