My Mannequins

By Sydell Waxman

Dora's father owns a dressmaking shop in the bustling garment district of Toronto in the 1940s. Every day after school, ten-year-old Dora runs to help her father in the shop. As she works, she dreams of being a designer herself and dressing the soberly attired mannequins in her own beautiful creations. In Dora's imaginings, the mannequins seem to urge her on in her fantasy as Dora's busy father pays scant attention to daughter's activities. One late afternoon after the shop has closed and while her father is working at his desk, Dora begins dressing up the mannequins. She uses remnants of bright cloth, ribbons and buttons that she finds lying around the shop floor, adding a bright scarf here and a sequin covered hat there. When her father suddenly decides they've stayed long enough, Dora is forced to leave her gaily dressed mannequins in the window, with very unexpected results.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0929141733
• ISBN13: 9780929141732
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Napoleon and Co
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.5" x 9.8"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Editorial Review Resource Links Volume 6 Number 4

Editorial Review from Resource Links My Mannequins A WINNING COMBINATION My Mannequins combines history with the story of a young girl's dreams....Those who enjoy dressing thier dolls will be inspired by Dora's crations. Those whose creativity leads them in other directions will admire her determination and her boldness in working towards what she wants. ..The illustations depict the period in which this story occurs with realistic paintings that take us to a world of style and glamour....the illustrations complement the text; a winning combination. This picture book has a maturity which will appeal to children in elementary grades. Dora takes responsibility for her actions and is rewrded by being given recognition and respect. This book can be used with Social Studies lessons. It can also be used in a unit on family. Dora is a desired and much-needed role model for the youth of today.

My Mannequins

Sydell Waxman, I hope you never tire of writing stories. What a great book about a young girl's imagination. We need more books like this for our young people to read. It is nice to read a story that encourages creative thoughts in a young mind but also to remind us to not forget our own dreams. Ms. Gallinger's colorful illustrations compliment the printed words. What a great combination to maintain a young reader's interest. The "Historical Note" is a wonderful addition to this story. One more fine book to add to my grandchildren's library. Thank you Ms. Waxman and Ms. Gallinger