Mary Had a Little Lamb Paper Doll

Above the vintage Mary Had a Little Lamb paper doll by Hallmark.

Description of Mary Had a Little Lamb Doll Card: tiered skirt, red puff sleeves, blue sash, blue feather, pet lamb, red hair

Mary Had a Little Lamb

       "Mary had a little lamb who was as white as snow--he followed Mary everywhere no matter where she'd go. And then one day when Mary left he followed her to school--and went right in although he knew it was against the rule! For Mary told him often, "Lambs can't go to school, you see--and that is why you'll always have to wait outside for me." And then, when Mary saw him she could scarce believe her eyes--and all the children laughed and said, "This is a nice surprise!" But Mary's teacher smiled and said, "I'm very sorry, dear--a lamb is nice to have but you must take him out of here." So Mary took the lamb outside and felt so sad and blue--to think that he had done just what she's told him not to do. The little lamb was so ashamed and felt so awful bad--it almost broke his heart to see that Mary felt so sad. So he decided right away he wanted to be good--and said to Mary, "From no on, I'll mind you like I should." And that's exactly what he did--so starting there and then, he always was a perfect lamb--and never ba-a-d again! 

More About Mary And Her Little Lamb:

• Color Mary and her little lamb here...
• Mary Had A Little Lamb - kindergarten story

Back To The Index...

Little Bo-Peep Paper Doll

Above the vintage Little Bo-Peep card by Hallmark.

Description of Little Bo-Peep Paper Doll Card: braided hair, yellow hair ribbons, staff, pink feather, big floppy blue hat

The Story of Little Bo-Peep

 "This is the story of Little Bo-Peep, who one summer day lost her little white sheep. But somehow she knew that wherever they'd roam, at nighttime her little white sheep would come home. And then sure enough, long before it was late, the little white sheep wandered in through the gate, the most sheepish sheep that you ever did see! (They knew they had been just as BA-A-A-D as could be!) But Little Bo-Peep fondly patted each one, and said, "I forgive you for what you have done." She told them good night,then she went right to bed, but not right to sleep for she fretted instead. For she had not counted her sheep and she knew--that though it was late, if was what she should do. 'Cause one little sheep might be out in the cold--so Little Bo-Peep hurried out to the fold. She counted her sheep one-by-one where they lay, then went back to bed and to sleep right away. And maybe that's why we have all heard it said--if ever we find when we first go to bed and try very hard, but just can't go to sleep--like Little Bo-Peep, we should try counting sheep."

More About Little Bo-Peep:

• Bo-Peep is a part of the Mother Goose Auto Parade - mini book
• Little Bo-Peep coloring page...

Back To The Index...

Bobby Shaftoe

Vintage paper doll card of Bobby Shaftoe by Hallmark.

Description of the Bobby Sahftoe Paper Doll Card: red feathers in his pirate cap, sword, silver buckles on his boots, pirate costume

 Bobby Shaftoe's Story Inside the Card:

       "Bobby Shaftoe was a sailor, quite a handsome lad and fair--he had silver buckles on his knees, and pretty golden hair. All the girls liked Bobby Shaftoe, anyone could plainly see, for whenever you saw Bobby all the girls were sure to be. But he fascinated only one of them and chose her from the rest, for he thought she was the loveliest, the sweetest, and the best. But he had to go away to sea for that's a sailor's life, and he told her he would come back soon and claim her for his wife. So she told him that she's wait for him forever and a day, and then Bobby Shaftoe said good-bye to her and sailed away. Bobby weathered many wintry gales upon the ocean blue, and encountered many dangers as a sailor's bound to do. He fought many naval battles that were fierce as they could be, and he saw a lot of pirate ships go down into the sea. But although it was exciting, still his thoughts began to roam far away across the waters to the girl he'd left back home. So he quickly turned his ship around and sailed for home one day, and then Bobby and his bride-to-be were married right away. And from then on Bobby Shoftoe was as happy as a song, for when he went back to sea again he took his bride along."

More About Bobby Shaftoe:

• The King's Singers sing Folk Songs of the British Isles
• Round and Round and other rhymes by David Smith

Back To The Index... 

Cinderella Paper Doll

Above the vintage Cinderella paper doll dressed as a bride by Hallmark.

Description of Cinderella Paper Doll Card: flounces, ruffles, pink sash, blue-forget-me-nots, braided hair, giant pink feathers, and bridal gown and veil

The Story of Cinderella

       "Little Cinderella was a stepchild, and they say, that all her wicked family always treated her that way. And when the Prince decided it was time he had a bride, and give a ball for all the girls throughout the countryside, poor Cinderella didn't have a single dress to wear--and so she stayed at home and cried and wished she could be there. But then a magic fairy said, "Now there, child don't you cry. I'll wave my wand and change things in the twinkling of an eye!" So Cinderella's rags became the grandest dress she'd seen, her slippers turned to lovely glass and she looked like a queen! "Be back by twelve," the fairy said, "the spell is broken then, and all your pretty clothes, my child, will turn to rags again!" And when the Prince first saw her there he asked if she would dance, and after that no other girl had even half a chance. But when she fled at 12 o'clock the Prince was in despair--until he found her slipper that she'd lost upon the stair. And then he summoned all his men and told them what to do-"Search all the kingdom--find the girl whose foot will fit this shoe."And when he found his "Princess," they were married right away, and lived "happy ever after" so the fairy stories say!"

More About Cinderella:

• Cinderella by Disney from 1950 her morning routine
• From Rags to Riches: The Making of Cinderella (Documentary)
• Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful? - from Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

Back To The Index...

Curlylocks

Front and back of the Hallmark Curlylocks paper doll.

Description of The Paper Doll Card: strawberry printed skirts, red ribbon and feather, straw bonnet, strawberry blond curls

Curlylocks Story Inside the Card:

       "According to what all the storybooks say, a long time ago in a land far away, there lived a young girl who was sweet as could be with livelier curls than you ever did see. The story books say Curlylocks was her name, and that it was really a terrible shame that she was so poor she had no time to play, but had to work hard and do chores every day. But one day a Prince saw this maiden so fair, and loved her on sight for her beautiful hair. He wooed her and told her, "If you will be mine, you won't wash the dishes nor care for the swine, but sit on a pillow and sew a fine seam, and always have strawberries, sugar and cream!" The Prince was so handsome, so kind, and so sweet, he swept little Curlylocks right off of her feet. So shyly she told him that she'd be his wife, and always would love him the rest of her life. And when they were married, she lived like a queen--the loveliest one that 'most ever was seen. And she had the Prince make a royal decree--no matter how poor any family might be, the daughters should always have time out to play--and always have strawberries three times a day!"

More About Curlylocks:

• Artifact information by Lit2Go
• Curlylocks sound file from Soundcloud

Back To The Index... 

Tommy Tucker

The front and back of "Tommy Tucker" paper doll card by Hallmark.

Description of Paper Doll Card: Tommy Tucker shown with lips open to sing, he wears a large red felt hat with a black feather, he carries fresh baked bread slice, has a brown cape, velvet suite with large brass buckle and rips in his trousers

 Little Tommy Tuckers Story Inside the Card:

       "Little Tommy Tucker was a boy who loved to sing. In fact, he'd rather sing all day than almost anything! He sang when he was happy and he sang when he was blue-- he sang when he sass all alone and when he wasn't too. Then one day Tommy chanced to see a little bakery shop, and seeing such good things to eat, he couldn't help but stop. Of course he was too poor to buy a single thing, he knew, and just to stop and look a while was all he meant to do. But then, because he always sang no matter what, you know--he sort of sang a little way before he turned to go. And Tommy sang so sweetly that the baker clapped with joy, and said, "Let me repay you! Here just help yourself, my boy!" So Tommy ate a cooky, then some pie and then some cake, and lots of other good things that the baker said to take. Then Tommy told the baker he was grateful as could be, and then the baker said, "Come bake again and sing for me!" So Tommy never worried about suppers any more 'cause all he had to do was sing just like he did before! And, though the story doesn't say, it's pretty safe to bet--that anywhere that Tommy is he's probably singing yet!"

More From Tommy Tucker Singing for a Supper:

• YOMIMON "Little Tommy Tucker"
• Gabby & Friends sing "Little Tommy Tucker"

Back To The Index... 

Polly Put the Kettle On

Front and Back of the vintage "Polly Put the Kettle On" paper doll card by Hallmark, 1948

Description of Paper Doll Card: This little paper doll card based upon the Mother Goose rhyme, "Polly put the kettle on" has an underskirt woven red and white checks and an over skirt in polka-dots trimmed with lace and blue ribbon, red kettle, a dramatic hat with floral trim and a yellow feather on top

Polly, Put the Kettle On: Her Story Inside The Card:

       "Polly was a little girl who lived long years ago; her sister's name was Sukey, as you may already know. And like most other little girls, they always liked to play that they were grown-up ladies, and they did this every day. So one day they were playing with some little girls they knew, and Polly said, "Let's have some tea, the way that grown-ups do!" She put the kettle on the fire and ran outside to play, and then forgot about it till the water boiled away. Of course, she filled it up again, but it was late, you see, and all her little playmates said they couldn't wait for tea. In spite of Polly's begging, all the children left right then, so Polly called to Sukey, "Take the kettle off again. It really is a shame I let the water boil away, but it's so easy to forget when you go out to play! The kettle ought to whistle when it's boiling time is through." And maybe that is why today that's what teakettles do!"

More Polly, Put the Kettle On:

• LooLoo Kids Polly video
• Cedarmont Kids sing "Polly Put The Kettle On"
• Polly Put The Kettle On

Back To The Index...