I love this book. Benji loves dolls. He has many other stuffed animals to play with but he adores and wants a doll. He has wanted one badly for a long time. His best friend Jenny shares her pretty doll with him whenever they get together to play and in return Benji shares his truck.

One day Benji's wish is granted as his parents hand him a big box tied up with shiny ribbon. To his delight the box contains his very own doll. Off he runs to the park to share his coveted new doll with all his friends. Pablo, the neighbourhood bully, appears and snatches Benji's doll from him. He starts squeezing the poor doll's head causing its eye to pop out! PLOP! Oh my! Poor Benji is heartbroken and starts sobbing uncontrollably.

Pablo sees the sorrow he has provoked and feels very badly about what he did. He had just wanted to play and never intended to break the doll. How can Pablo make up for his unkind and mean behaviour? If he does find a way to repent and say he's sorry will Benji forgive him?

The illustrations are wonderful. They enrich the storyline perfectly. The message is clear... there doesn't have to be boy toys and girl toys but just kid toys to enjoy at playtime. I highly recommend this book.

Reflections: My daughter received a Barbie doll for Christmas when she was 4. My son, age 2, pitched a fit! He wanted a doll too! We bought him a Ken doll the day after Christmas.

Benji’s Doll is a delightful illustrated book. Even though Benji has many stuffed animals, he wants a doll. Soon he receives one. Uh oh, looks like a bully Pablo is at the playground.

Turns out Pablo wasn’t a bully, he wanted to tease. Pablo shows remorse —- unusual in a children’s book.

Later Pablo gives Benji a small box. I had to smile when I saw what Benji thought might be in the box. Another unique illustration!

This is a short book, but it will lend itself to a long productive discussion about what happened. And the emotions in the book.

Many thanks to Netgalley for permitting me to read this.