Nine-year-old Anna and her sisters love to play with the dolls in their parents’ doll repair shop. But when the First World War begins, an embargo on German-made goods—including the parts Papa needs to repair the dolls—threatens to put the family’s shop out of business. Fortunately, Anna has an idea that just might save the day.

In a starred review Kirkus wrote, “Mix one part Rumer Godden’s The Story of Holly and Ivy and many parts Sydney Taylor’s All-of-a-Kind Family and you create a standout family-and-doll story. ” The Doll Shop Downstairs was also named one of the 2010 Cooperative Children’s Book Choices and was selected for the 2012 New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award Master List.

In conjunction with the Library’s exhibition on the writings of World War One, author Yona Zeldis McDonough will discuss her creative process for The Doll Shop Downstairs and its sequel The Cats in the Doll Shop, as well as the process of publishing a book.

Registration is required. How to Register