The Christmas Doll: A Repair Shop Story

I am unfamiliar with the British television show, The Repair Shop, but this fictionalized story about a Christmas Doll was heartwarming. In our tale, Great Grandma Sue brings in the cherished doll she received in 1939 to be repaired. She was one of the children who relocated to the country during the war and stayed with a lovely family who gifted her the doll. Most children would no longer know this part of history, so it is a great story to make them curious to learn more. The back material gives the true account of the Christmas doll and the little girl it belonged to and her story is much more heartbreaking. I am glad adjustments were made to keep the fictionalized story light and wistful. Overall, this was an intriguing read well suited for older children.

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.

Evie and her great-grandmother Sue are taking Sue's doll to the Repair Shop, made famous by a British television series of the same name. Sue got her doll when she was a very young girl during World War II. As happened to so many children, Sue was evacuated from London to the countryside without her parents in an effort to keep her safe. It was a sad and lonely time even though the Russells, the couple she was staying with were very kind and caring. For Christmas, she was given a beautiful doll, which she thought she would only be able to keep for the day. When she found out that it was hers to keep, she was so pleased. Going back to London when it was safe to do so was hard, and she missed her foster family, although the doll helped her remember their kindness and generosity. The Repair Shop does a great job restoring Lizzy, and Sue tells Evie that she will be the caretaker of the doll from now on. This is based on a real doll that was restored on the program.