This book was a nice read but it didn't do much for me. The story was emotional with the girl losing her doll then finding it the way she did but I don't feel like it taught anything. I like the pictures because they do good at representing the text and I feel like the style of the pictures fits the book. The pictures also help get a feel for the time period the book is written in since it isn't explicitly stated. The most important part of the book to me is the author's passage at the back. It tells how she brought a story that had been told from generation to generation back to life for the world to read. ( )

The story starts off with a colorful, bright beginning. Then it turns dark because a storm is brewing and because Mary Ann left her wheat doll, Betty outside. Throughout the whole storm and after when Mary Ann was looking for Betty the pictures were not as bright because she was sad she couldn't find her doll. Towards the end, the pictures lightened up of outside because it was spring and Mary Ann found the outline of her wheat doll. She then used that to make a new one and she was so excited to have her best friend back. ( )

Set in the late 1800s Utah, The Wheat Doll follows Mary Ann as loses her favorite wheat doll when she runs for shelter during a massive storm. Mary Ann and her doll, Betty, are separated for weeks after the storm. They reunite when Mary Ann discovers a patch of grass shaped just like her doll! This was an adorable little story that after hearing it, the author felt compelled to share it with the world. The setting only mattered because it needed to be wheat farm but I think any child can relate to Mary Ann when she loses her best friend. ( )

"The Wheat Doll" is a short and sweet story about a girl and her best friend who is a doll she made. Mary Ann has a doll she made stuffed with wheat named Betty. Betty is her best friend. One day after harvesting carrots, Mary Ann unfortunately loses Betty in a storm. Months later, Mary Ann finds a small patch of wheat growing in the shape of Betty. She lets the wheat grow, harvests it, and makes a new Betty doll. This is a cute story that many children can relate to, being that many children have toys that are their best friends. Children can see that it is sad that Mary Ann loses her doll, but eventually something good comes out of it. It teaches a great lesson that good can come from bad. I love the way it conveys this message and relates it to children's lives. Overall, I love this story and it's beautiful illustrations. It is such a sweet story. ( )

Losing a friend can be hard, especially when you live on a small family farm with no other children. But when all seems lost, you can find you never truly lost them at all. Students could benefit from the theme of friendship, and the book can be the basis of an art craft.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading Level : Intermediate