"The Best Loved Doll" Doll Birthday Party

"Best Loved Doll" by Caudill

        Our little doll party idea here is based upon the award winning children's book "The Best Loved Doll.'' Written by Rebecca Caudill after observing her child at a neighborhood birthday party given for her friend from the neighborhood.

Caudill "watched as her daughter took her shabby but much-loved doll to a party and a sensitive mother awarded her a medal." 

       In the book three awards are given for: beauty, age, and mechanical genius to three lucky winners out of 12 girls attending the birthday party with each of their favorite dolls. But, there is something missing from the competition. That something was made very clear while each child explains 'why' they chose to bring a particular doll for the competition. 

       Betsy explains why she chose Jennifer to the crowd of little contestants.

       Jennifer is not pretty; her features are torn and mended from all of the play and adventures that she and Betsy have had. 

       Jennifer is not old, she is a newer rag doll from Betsy's collection.

       Jennifer has no fancy mechanical features: she does not play music, or talk when you squeeze her tummy or sit at a tiny pretend sewing machine while she appears to operate it. 

       Betsy had a doll much prettier and another much older and still another who could pretend to sew!

       But Betsy loves a torn and tattered rag doll the most. Jennifer is the doll who listens to her at night in bed. She is the doll that Betsy carries everywhere on adventures. She is the doll that doesn't mind rough play at all and smiles at everything Betsy does. Jennifer is always there for Betsy whenever she needs a friend.

       While Betsy is talking, the birthday girl's mother realizes she has made a mistake. 

       Quickly and discreetly, this mother makes a fourth award for Betsy's doll Jennifer. Check the book out from a library to find out what happens next and go to hear the book reviewed online.

• Picture books that will make you kick your feet by Hadley Queen
• "The Best-Loved Doll" described by Novelzilla

How to Give a "Best Loved Doll" Party for your own dolls:

       The girls play games before the doll show and then have the awards ceremony afterwards. They play the game "pin the tail of the donkey." among others...
       For every award given there are prizes and ribbon awards given by Mrs. Anderson, the birthday girl's mother.  Children may prepare their own versions of prizes as well, for their own doll shows.

• Here is a craft describing how to make ribbon awards

There are a variety of crafts on our website that would make special prizes for a doll to receive at a party: 

• String doll sized necklaces - easy ideas
• Craft doll coloring books for guests at your party
• How to sew hair bows for dolls - make them party themed!

       After the games and doll show, the children in the storybook have refreshments at a big table while their dolls eat at a special smaller table, set with a Blue Willow doll tea set. Each doll has a tiny pink cup cake and each doll is given a party favor, a miniature doll fan.

• How to make a miniature doll fans - these may be made with or without feathers, here is another version made with toothpicks from my Christmas blog . . .
• See how to make Birthday cakes for dolls, all kinds!

       At the big table children are treated to pink cupcakes and pink lemonade. Each guest also receives her own party favor, an umbrella small enough for a doll to use! (beverage umbrellas)
       Then the party ends with very happy dolls and even happier guests...