The Meanest Doll in the World

September 1, 2003
When the kids are away, the dolls sure do play. That's the case in The Meanest Doll in the World by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin, read by Lynn Redgrave. In this lively sequel to The Doll People, dolls Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft find danger and adventure when they accidentally get transported to their owner Kate's school, and then to another child's house-home to a wicked princess doll named Mean Mimi.

March 1, 2004
Gr 3-6-Annabell Doll and Tiffany Funcraft are back in Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin's fun-filled sequel (Hyperion, 2003) to The Doll People (Hyperion, 2000). This time the dolls take a trip outside the house in Kate's backpack by mistake. Unfortunately, there is a mix-up at school and the dolls wind up in the home of classmate BJ. Here they meet the evil Mimi, a doll who is convinced she shall be queen of all the dolls and has the demanding attitude to prove it. Annabelle and Tiffany, along with an assortment of other dolls, fend off Mimi and her wicked army before returning to their own home. There they discover that Mimi has followed them, bent on revenge. Mimi manages to cause a rift between the Doll and Funcraft families before her own rash behavior causes her downfall. Lynn Redgrave does an admirable job of voicing the various characters and imbuing Mimi with a sly, sneering intonation. Have the book available so listeners can enjoy Brian Selznick's witty illustrations which do a fabulous job of extending the story. This fantasy with its broad humor, evil machinations, and tales of friendship will delight both fans of the Doll People and those new to the story.-Katherine Devine, Westminster Academy, Elizabeth, NJ

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 11, 2003
The team behind The Doll People
serves up a second helping of fanciful fun as they continue the adventures of two sets of dolls—the antique Doll family and the more contemporary Funcrafts. And they also introduce a deliciously evil new character, Princess Mimi, "the meanest doll in the world." Selznick previews Mimi's personality with a pencil-marred title page on which the titular villain has scratched out "Meanest" and handwritten "Greatest." A case of mixed-up backpacks causes Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft (who became best buddies in the debut title) to land in an unfamiliar boy's house where Mean Mimi rules the roost. After helping the other dolls fend off Mimi and her army (two baby dolls and Techno-Man, an "action figure"), Annabelle and Tiffany manage to return home safely. Just when they think their woes are over, they discover that Mean Mimi has followed them, determined to become the "queen of all dolls." The creative trio pulls out all the stops, from the opening scene, in which the Funcrafts ride Nora's bathtub tidal waves while glued-and-lace-trimmed Annabelle fears for her life from atop the soapdish, to Selznick's classic horror close-up of Mean Mimi's hand protruding from the backpack before stalking toward the Dolls' house. Besides carrying a relevant message to youngsters (bullies usually bring about their own downfall), this enchanting novel offers plenty of action/adventure, surprises around every corner and a plethora of detailed illustrations that depict the dolls' diverse moods and perspectives. Readers will be left yearning for another installment. Ages 8-12.