I am not sure where to start. First of all, I think it was one of those books where a little girl is sent to a relative for the summer. This book would be from the 1980’s at the earliest. Not sure on that. But during the time she is wherever she is – and it IS in the country – she finds out about a doll that’s been lost for a long time. It’s a china doll and I am pretty sure there’s a silver or pewter tea set. Again, not positive, but I think the doll was buried to protect her from something real or imaginary. Somewhere in the story there was a bunny salad bowl with a hole in one of the bunny legs. A map or directions of some kind were wadded up in that hole. I am nearly sure it was a Scholastic book.
I think it was something about the British coming and the little girl was worried about her doll. Then years later this little girl comes along and hears the story and tries to find the doll. It could be as much difference as 80+ years later. The mystery was solved a great many years after the doll was buried. Her cloth body was gone, it was just her china parts. And the bowl with the bunnies decorating it was important to the mystery. It might have been a bunny platter or big plate instead of bowl, but there was a hole in a rabbit’s leg and the map was wadded up in it.
There is no magic or otherworldly parts to this book. I THINK the little girl learns about the doll through either an old letter or a diary she reads. I THINK the doll doesn’t get found for a long time because the girl that buried her years ago moved. I really wish I could remember more. Its a chapter book and was probably for tweens, so we are looking for a paperback. Although it could have come in a hardback. But its not a picture book.
I have to add here that Revolutionary War is very unlikely. More memory tells me that the little girl ended up talking to the doll’s owner. She was still alive but old. I really wish I could remember more of the book. The incident that causes her to bury the doll very well could have been imaginary. Also, the book was not a picture book but I think it did have a few drawn black and white illustrations perhaps chapter beginnings or just scattered through the book?
Perhaps The Doll in the Garden by Mary Downing Hahn?
Its not a ghost story. There is no magic, otherworldly elements, etc. I think she communicated with the previous owner through a letter, but I know she was still alive. I can’t remember the circumstances, but I think she might have buried the doll and tea set to protect them from imaginary pirates.
I also think this was like a farm, tons of land. I know the important part was the map in the hole in the bunny’s leg. The bowl had been sold or given away and was at someone else’s house. I have been trying to remember the doll’s name because I think that would help, but no luck.
Hitty, Her First Hundred Years?
No, this doll has been buried all this time. She wasn’t having any adventures. I do want to check that book out though! This doll had two owners that I can remember. The original girl that is now an older woman and the young girl in the book.
This book was written before the 1980’s. The only problem is I am not sure how much before. I read a lot of books that were written when my Mom (1960’s) would have been a child as well as books from my own childhood. I also read books even older than that.
Margaret Pope Trask, Three for Treasure.
Here’s the Kirkus Reviews description of Three for Treasure:
High Over, Vermont, is another name for paradise according to Lissa and Daniel Duffield. It is the home of their grandparents and the perfect place for two curious youngsters to spend a summer. Even the unwelcome presence of goodnatured clinging Martin Hatch cannot dim their enthusiasm though both children are certainly disappointed to see him. Reluctantly they include Martin in their games and projects, the most exciting of which is the discovery of Aunty Melly’s diary written when she was a little girl and indicating the general whereabouts of Arabella, a precious doll containing a silver teaset. After writing to Aunty Melly, the children receive an answer leading them to the treasure. Yet a much more valuable prize is in the offing. As Daniel and Lissa get to know Martin through the mishaps and pleasures of summer escapades, they come to know a kind and generous child who is no longer an intruder. Though Lissa refuses to sell the antique teaset to persistent Mrs. Plum, she gives it to Martin – as a token of her own newfound generosity. There is warmhearted humor in this story and children as real as their readers – children who grow as a result of their experiences.
OMG, that’s it!! Thank you so much.
You’re welcome!
I hope you don’t mind, I put this on Looking for a Childhood Book too just in case someone else might be interested.