The Paper Dolls

The Paper Dolls

PICTURE BOOK • CONTEMPORARY FICTION • IMAGINATION & MEMORY

Created by the powerhouse duo behind The Everywhere Bear—beloved author Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo) and award-winning illustrator Rebecca Cobb—The Paper Dolls is a stunning, lyrical picture book that explores childhood, memory, and the enduring power of imagination.

The story follows a string of hand-crafted paper dolls—Ticky, Tacky, Jackie the Backie, Jim with two noses, and Nanny Nel—as they embark on a fantastical, high-stakes adventure through the house and out into the garden. Along the way, they bravely escape the clutches of a fierce toy dinosaur and the snapping jaws of an oven-glove crocodile. But when a very real pair of scissors threatens their fragile world, the story transitions into a deeply moving meditation on how the things we love—and the memories we make—stay with us forever.

"A stunning, lyrical story of childhood, memory and the power of imagination from Julia Donaldson, the author of The Gruffalo, and award-winning illustrator Rebecca Cobb."

Core Thematic & Literary Highlights:

• The Power of Creative Play: Celebrates children's ability to transform simple household items into epic, imaginative universes.

• Navigating Loss & Memory: Gently introduces young readers to the concepts of change, fragility, and how love and memory endure long after physical things are gone.

• Lyrical Storytelling: Features Donaldson's signature rhythmic, musical prose paired with Cobb's tender, expressive watercolor illustrations.

Key Book Features at a Glance:

Perfect For:

• Young Children & Families (Ages 3–7): A deeply moving bedtime story for shared reading between parents and children.

• Social-Emotional & Grief Support: A gentle, comforting resource for discussing memory, impermanence, and emotional resilience.

• Fans of Julia Donaldson & Rebecca Cobb: Readers who cherish imaginative storytelling and exquisite picture book illustration.