The Lonely Doll (Sandpiper Books) Paperback – September 28, 1998

I’m so tired of saying this, but the books are super, super cute. I never noticed even when I was 18 that they’re totally Lolita books and entirely inappropriate for children. They’re the books to give your child or a friend’s child with the expectation that they are to be groomed for sexually and physically violent relationships. Mr. Bear is the stern older man who is loving but then hikes Edith’s skirt up and spanks her in a visually titillating way.In one book he buys her a long dress so she can feel supremely adult, and when she breaks his clock, she is suddenly that small spoiled brat on whom he must pull the skirt up and perform another sexy spanking.For adult collectors.

As a doll collecter, vintage lover, and avid reader of children's books "The Lonely Doll" series has quickly become one of my favourites in my collection. Edith, the titular lonely doll, befriends Mr. Bear and his son Little Bear and become a found family. One day when Mr. Bear goes out, Edith and Little Bear play dress up with clothing and makeup that don't belong to them and get caught. It is a short, simple story about respecting others things.I would like to express that although this is a republication, it is important to understand that this story was originally published back in the 1950's and is a product of its time. The images are grainy and blurred and the method of disiplining the misbehaving children (the spanking scene) does not reflect well in the modern day. Unlike some reviews I have seen claim it to be, this story is NOT "erotic" or s*xualizing like "Lolita", and their view on the relationship between Edith and Mr. Bear as anything but a Daughter-Father bond is incorrect. This book was made for children and would still be something that could be shared to one, but since it is outdated in several aspects think it is best as a collection piece rather than a lesson for a child today.

I am 67 years old and I still remember back when I was about 6 years old and this was my first book from the library. This book made me fall in love with reading forever. Now my granddaughters have read it and even if they are beyond 6 they still enjoyed reading it. A little keepsake from my childhood. Highly recommend for any little girl.

Anyone who calls this book creepy needs an imagination. I despise parents who don't give their children credit for being smart enough to separate fantasy from reality. If you don't have a strong enough bond with your child or effective enough communication skills to discuss this book with your child, you should probably give your child up for adoption and move to the moon. Oh, no! A Teddy bear is spanking a doll! My child will be warped forever! Get over it! Your child isn't a bean brain, is she? As for the person who wants this in color, because that's how it originally came out, wrong! The original was black and white. I have a mid-century first edition. It's in black and white, and that's the artistic beauty of it. Honestly, people need to get over themselves with these reviews.

i recently returned to this book as a grandmother and was intrigued to see how to see how it had actually influenced me after all these years. As a photographer I have long been interested in the how active objects actually are even in their " stillness" and I do remember pouring over these pages as a child and being mesmerized by that even then. And I agree...children understand most completely about the fear of lonely and the need for others. This is nothing you need to hide from them! It is a fact of life that fully informs us all as we move through life. My children and grandchildren ( pre and post Internet!) love this book and there are many good reasons for that!

This is one of a series which has such great pictures other photographs instead of illustrations; The mind takes it in such a different way. Also such simple but poignant stories. Fast delivery, condition as stated, would buy from them again.

I have never tired of The Lonely Doll book. I have my own and I buy it as a gift often.

My sister and I used to check this book out from the library when we were little girls. We Loved it so much we checked it out over and over. I bought this book for my sisters birthday and one for myself. It did not disappoint!

I wanted to get this book for a long time. The story was a perfect old fashioned story which was just lovely but the quality of the pictures were disappointing. I know they are very old and they've been copied many times but surely with today's technology they don't have to be so blurry! Other than that I wouldn't hesitate recommending this book.

I have collected all of these books except 1 they are lovely

An overall sad book especially if you enquire into the authors life!

This is a unique photography book, for children but definitely also for adults with a creative interest in childhood. As an artist, I can see how the doll was used as a superb muse. The story is amusing and touching. Amazing what people can do with inanimate toys! This book brings them to life.

Loved this book as a little girl so I'm super excited to share it with my little girl! Excellent quality.