My Mother In Law bought us this book when Son #2 was just a few months old.
She had been talking about it and I was unfamiliar with the story so I think she bought it for me as much as for our boys.
I love this book.
It's always the last few lines of the book that get to me
It brings tears to my eyes each time I read it.
| About William's Doll |
| "William
wanted a doll. He wanted to hug it and cradle it in his arms..." |
 |
| What happens when a boy wants a doll? |
| William's brother and friends and the boy next door call him a creep and a sissy. His father gets him a basketball ("He practiced a lot / and got good at it / but it had nothing to do / with the doll. / William still wanted one, and his father bought him an electric train set ("The tiny train/ threaded around and around the tracks/ with a clacking sound./ William made cardboard stations / and tunnels/ and bridges / and played with the train/ a lot. But he didn't stop wanting / a doll..." ). |
 |
| Finally, his grandmother comes
to visit --- and at last William is understood. She gets William the doll (he
"loved it right away"). And she explains to William's father (who
"was upset.") 'He's a boy!' he said , 'Why does he need a doll?'" This is why William needs it: |
| "so that when he's a father like you, he'll know how to take care of his baby and feed him and love him and bring him the things he wants, like a doll so that he can practice being a father. "
Have a Happy Fathers Day weekend, all you wonderful dads and moms!
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5 comments:
I remember when this book first came out and was so controversial, which seems silly now. But there's been a lot of welcome changes in society's view of gender since then.
I bet this was controversial when it first came out! People would have been horrified at the mere suggestion!
Thank goodness we have all moved on, and common sense can prevail. I do believe that in earlier times (19th century) it was very common for boys to be given dolls at Christmas time, along with the lead soldiers, of course.
What a great book. I must try and get hold of it. Great for small boys.
Oh what a lovely post.
My son always have some stuff toy with him growing up. I guess everybody needs something or somebody to hug and cuddle.
Oh my goodness. I've never heard of this, but I love it.
Yep, those last few lines got to me. *tear tear*
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