About This Book:
A little girl in wartime England finds that a simple act of generosity and kindness changes her life forever in this heartfelt holiday book based on a popular British TV show.
Susan is very young when she’s evacuated from London during World War II and sent to live in the countryside with a family she has never met. Uncertain of her new surroundings and desperately missing home, she holds out little hope for the months ahead. Then, on Christmas Day, she receives a doll that she names Lizzy. It is the best present she’s ever had. Only decades later, when Susan and her great-granddaughter Evie bring the precious doll in for repairs—and Susan narrates the tale of her tumultuous childhood—does she realize the true meaning and scope of the gift she received that long-ago Christmas morning. From the bustling endpapers showing the repair team at work restoring a legacy to glowing illustrations evoking nostalgia and warmth, this cozy tale based on an episode of the British TV series The Repair Shop is a festive read-aloud to share at the holidays.
*Review Contributed By Bethany Wicker, Staff Reviewer*
Endearing Christmas Story About Kindness
It’s a very special day for Evie and her great-grandmother Granny Sue because today is the day they’re bringing their doll Lizzy to the repair shop. She was Granny Sue’s when she was younger and it’s time to pass her down to Evie, but Lizzy isn’t in the best shape. She has some cracks and loose stitching, but it’s nothing Jay, the repair shop worker, can’t fix. Granny Sue weaves the story of why Lizzy means so much to her and it’s because she was given to her in one of her worst moments. During WWII, Granny Sue was a young girl who was forced to leave her home and her family with the fear of bombings. Lizzy was given to her by the family she was staying with at the time, and now that she’s older, she understands how valuable that kind gesture was, especially since Lizzy helped her get through the hardships.
REPAIR SHOP STORIES: THE CHRISTMAS DOLL is a heartwarming children’s picture book about the power of kindness and the symbolism the items we receive hold. While I am not familiar with the real Repair Shop from across the pond, I must say that doesn’t make this story any less endearing. I loved seeing how much Lizzy meant to Susan and how she was passing down that piece of joy and kindness to her great-granddaughter. In the back of the book we get more information on the true events that this story is inspired by. The illustrations are stunning with all of the minute details incorporated into each scene.
Final Verdict: REPAIR SHOP STORIES: THE CHRISTMAS DOLL makes for a sweet Christmas story for families to share together. The wintery scenes make me want to cuddle under a blanket with some hot chocolate while reading it to my seven-year-old. While she isn’t a huge fan of dolls, she still enjoyed the story and it gave me the opportunity to share some history with her.
