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I loved paper dolls growing up. Loved them. I had an amazing collection of all the usual suspects, but my favorites, by far, were Trixie Belden and her friend Honey Wheeler. I played with those dolls for hours on end—alone, with friends, it didn’t matter. I loved constructing elaborate homes and scenarios in which to recreate the details of the stories with which I was so smitten. I simply loved Trixie, and Honey, and every aspect of their wild, adventurous lives. Playing with paper dolls allowed me, for a moment, to step into the story, and narrate them back to myself in a whole new way.
My first attempt at passing on my love of paper dolls to a daughter fell flat. Mary Hannah was far more interested in playing with her collection of Schleich animals and beloved Breyer Mini Whinnies than the Little House on the Prairie paper dolls I was so excited to introduce her to. I even tried a couple of sets of American Girl paper dolls. No go. I shrugged it off and assumed that I was the anomaly, not her. After all, who plays with paper dolls in this century?
Well, Birdie does. I am happy to announce that she thinks that setting up the Little House in the Big Woods is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon rest time. Pa’s little paper fiddle is enchanting, as far as she’s concerned. And sometimes (but not often) Baby Carrie even gets to come out of her cradle and be a part of the games.
Yes, I feel somewhat vindicated. Paper dolls are not quite as old school as I had feared. But, admittedly, they’re still decidedly on the feminine end. None of my boys has ever asked to have a turn at trying out new paper wardrobe pieces on a doll, nor have they expressed (despite their enjoyment of the Little House books) their desire to recreate Laura and Mary’s prairie hijinks.
So it was with a sense of some reluctance that I agreed to review Famous Figures of Ancient Times, part of Timberdoodle’s 1st Grade Curriculum Kit. After all, well… they’re kind of paper dolls.
Which they are. Except, they’re not.
Famous Figures are detailed, well-illustrated representations of the guys (and gals) you read about in history. Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, Jesus— all carefully drawn to bring their real-life stories alive in the hands of your 6-12 year-old history buffs. Each perforated page is sturdy card stock, and none of the cutting is too overly fussy for the age range targeted. The figures appear in the book twice: one in blackline, for your child to color in, and also in a full-color version. Just cut, punch the plainly marked locations, and assemble with brads for a moveable paper doll action figure ready to take on the best of the past.
The book includes short bios of each figure, and the drawings are based on historical mosaics and other primary sources. The figures have accessories, too. Because really, what is Hannibal without his elephants?
Unlike the sweet little prairie girls, my boys flipped over these figures and couldn’t wait to get their hands on them. It was a good/bad thing. Good because I suddenly had King David making decrees from the back of my couch, bad because each child wanted their own elephant and was pretty sure that if they didn’t get one they’d wither into dust. Hurumph. Learn from my mistake and get an extra book.
Individual books are $18.95, and the series has other entries (Famous Figures of the Renaissance, and Famous Figures of the American Revolution, to start). I’d definitely recommend them as a fun and engaging resource to compliment Story of the World, Children’s History of the World, or a trip through an Usborne or Kingfisher history encyclopedia. My kids have enjoyed hours of play with them. Remind me to tell you some time about the afternoon Augustine and Pa Ingalls chopped wood together. Classic.
