Caitlin's Holiday

Caitlin thinks that having Holiday, a beautiful, well-dressed doll that can walk, talk, and think, will be like having a best friend, but all Holiday wants to do is listen to music, work on her tan, and complain

A delightful chapter book told with such good humor that readers will easily believe in one more toy that comes to life. Caitlin is browsing a sidewalk sale table when an irresistible urge comes over her and she "trades" her own beloved doll for a more beautiful one. Caitlin is convinced that this is a special doll, and worth every bit of the guilt she suffers, and sure enough, she is awakened that night by music playing in her room. Not only is her new doll alive, she is also obstinate, rude, and unreasonable--she refuses to turn down her stereo. Caitlin's problems mount as the doll, who says her name is Holiday, becomes more and more difficult and demanding; she scorns Caitlin's doll clothes, ignores Caitlin's friends and their dolls, and won't do anything but sunbathe on the windowsill and throw tantrums. Caitlin's endeavors to cope with an absurd situation and to reason with Holiday, who has no logic or morals, is a maturing experience, first in frustration, and finally in diplomacy. The struggle of a child to understand and compromise is contrasted clearly with Holiday's stunning about-face at the novel's end, which indicates a sequel is to come. Young readers will be enchanted by Caitlin and Holiday and will be readied for the more serious subject matter of Banks' The Indian in the Cupboard (Avon, 1982) and Cassedy's Behind the Attic Wall (Crowell, 1983) .
-Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Caitlin is not sure what possessed her to trade her doll Jodi for the one at Rigby's Resale, except that the new doll--which she names Holiday--is breathtakingly beautiful and stylish. When Holiday proves capable of independent thought and speech, however, Caitlin begins to suspect she's gotten more than she bargained for--a bad-tempered, if miniature, companion who plays her radio all night and is interested only in shopping for new outfits and working on her tan. Griffith takes full advantage of the comic potential inherent in this sort of role reversal, wherein a well-behaved child is suddenly, dauntingly responsible for an unruly charge. Holiday's antics and overall ill humor put her in a league with such popular masters of misbehavior as Rotten Ralph--even if her ultimate rehabilitation does prove a bit of a letdown. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.