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Original poster

What was this book?

24 replies

Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 14:11

Driving myself mad trying to remember. It just randomly popped into my head last night while reading the the thread about the Sindy doll house. I can only remember some very vague details which might not be accurate but will try my best.

-Children's book I would have read it in the late 90s/early 00s

-It was about a girl with a dolls house (possibly home made) and she decorated it with carpets

-On special occasions she would receive a new piece of furniture for the dolls house as a present (I think this happened anyway)

-There was a shop which had a piece of furniture in the window that she was desperate to have and when she eventually got the money to buy it it had been sold.

I could be totally making a lot of this up in my head but I think this is how it happened. I'm doubting myself a bit and also wondering if I'm mixing up parts of 2 different stories.

I've had a look on Google but had no luck.
Hoping someone can help I've read loads of mystery stories/songs/programmes being solved on here with even harder
clues than this!

OP posts:
FlyingPi · 10/08/2023 14:16

Don't remember it too clearly but this springs to mind as a possible:

FlyingPi · 10/08/2023 14:17

Oops, sorry was meant to be The Doll's House by Rumer Godden

Original poster
Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 14:21

It's not that one but that's what keeps coming up when I Google it.

OP posts:
GigiAnnna · 10/08/2023 15:12

Tottie? Or something like that. About a peg doll. I'm not sure if it's the one already been mentioned.

Original poster
Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 15:21

GigiAnnna · 10/08/2023 15:12

Tottie? Or something like that. About a peg doll. I'm not sure if it's the one already been mentioned.

No it's not that that's the same one @FlyingPi suggested too and it's what keeps coming up when I Google it so now I'm doubting myself. But I've read the summary for it and I don't remember any of it. Tempted to buy it just to be sure but I'm positive it's not this

OP posts:
MaBellOnDaLoose · 10/08/2023 15:29

Was it Miss Happiness and Miss Flower (also by Rumer Godden)?

RumbleMum · 10/08/2023 15:46

This sounds familiar. Did she want a doll's house she saw in the shops and it was too expensive so her Dad made her one?

Original poster
Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 15:48

MaBellOnDaLoose · 10/08/2023 15:29

Was it Miss Happiness and Miss Flower (also by Rumer Godden)?

No I don't think so I've just looked this one up and nothing rings a bell Sad. I don't remember there being much focus on the dolls it was more about the girl in story and making the dolls house look nice with all the furniture. It was old fashioned wooden furniture I think.

OP posts:
painochocolate · 10/08/2023 15:49

Hmm..

Milly molly mandy?

Original poster
Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 15:50

RumbleMum · 10/08/2023 15:46

This sounds familiar. Did she want a doll's house she saw in the shops and it was too expensive so her Dad made her one?

Yes I think so! Her dad was definitely involved I keep remembering him having something to do with the story but I couldn't remember whether he made the house or it was him buying the furniture.

OP posts:
FloralDance · 10/08/2023 15:51

Could it have been The Empty Dollshouse by Enid Blyton?? I've definitely read the book you're describing, it's ringing a massive bell.

Original poster
Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 15:52

painochocolate · 10/08/2023 15:49

Hmm..

Milly molly mandy?

I don't think so but I will have a look and see! I definitely had a Milly Molly Mandy book but I don't think I actually ever resd it I remember I used to just look at the map and pretend I lived there 😂

OP posts:
RumbleMum · 10/08/2023 15:52

I think @FloralDance has it - I thought it might be an Enid Blyton and was just looking up the plot. 'Sally wants to furnish her doll's house and has to be patient'

painochocolate · 10/08/2023 15:53

Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 15:52

I don't think so but I will have a look and see! I definitely had a Milly Molly Mandy book but I don't think I actually ever resd it I remember I used to just look at the map and pretend I lived there 😂

Show quote history

Hehe loved that map. Must buy a copy for my daughter.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 10/08/2023 15:55

Could it have been an early Jacqueline Wilson with the doll’s house stuff happening alongside family angst?

Original poster
Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 15:55

I think it might be the Enid Blyton one but this is the only description I can find!

What was this book?
OP posts:
caerdydd12 · 10/08/2023 15:56

Oh I remember this!!! I'd have been around the same age as you. Can't remember what it was called, let me spend some time googling.

Original poster
Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 15:57

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 10/08/2023 15:55

Could it have been an early Jacqueline Wilson with the doll’s house stuff happening alongside family angst?

Possibly! I had a lot of Jacqueline Wilson books and I do feel like the story was about other stuff and not just the dolls house. I actually was going to mention this in my post I probably should have!

OP posts:
Original poster
Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 15:58

caerdydd12 · 10/08/2023 15:56

Oh I remember this!!! I'd have been around the same age as you. Can't remember what it was called, let me spend some time googling.

I hope you have more luck than me. It's bugging me even more now.

OP posts:
RumbleMum · 10/08/2023 16:00

Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 15:55

I think it might be the Enid Blyton one but this is the only description I can find!

It looks like it was a short story that was part of several larger volumes, including The Little Old Toymaker and Other Stories which is available on Scribd if you sign up for a 30-day trial. www.scribd.com/doc/266626903/The-Little-Old-Toymaker-and-Other-Stories

Original poster
Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 16:03

RumbleMum · 10/08/2023 16:00

It looks like it was a short story that was part of several larger volumes, including The Little Old Toymaker and Other Stories which is available on Scribd if you sign up for a 30-day trial. www.scribd.com/doc/266626903/The-Little-Old-Toymaker-and-Other-Stories

Show quote history

Yes I think this is it! I know I've said that about every post but I definitely think this is the one 😂 the title rings a bell and it would explain me thinking there was another storyline if it's part of a volume.

OP posts:
Original poster
Helpmeremember · 10/08/2023 16:05

The Empty Dolls House is listed as being in it so I think this is the one.

OP posts:
HeyMrScott · 10/08/2023 16:24

Wow! I loved those Enid Blyton short stories. I have great memories of getting them from the library on Saturday mornings. I'm tempted to hunt some down so I can re live my childhood.

SquitMcJit · 10/08/2023 16:56

No Pipe Dreams for Father by Winifred Holtby?

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