I love books like these. Few things made me sadder than parents putting their kinds into specific "gender" categories, like boys can't like pink, boys can't like dolls, girls can't like trucks, etc. It drives me nuts. Let kids like what they like! And that's what this book is about, as well as standing strong when others think your choice is wrong and how to deal with bullying.

Sweet book about acceptance, inclusivity, and the nature of children. I enjoyed this book!
Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book!

I thought this was a really cute book. Benji loves his doll and this book teaches us that anyone can like dolls and it is not okay to be mean to someone because of what they like. I love the ending of this book, it was super cute and filled with acceptance and friendship.

I like the basic premise of this book, and it is nice to see a book highlighting a boy playing with a doll. The words "playing mommies and daddies" was a great step in normalizing that everyone can play with dolls and nurturing loving and caretaking in our children. However, the illustrations were creepy rather than endearing, and the doll's eye popping out after being squeezed was disturbing. The story wasn't able to compensate for the illustrations.

This story did not progress as I thought it would, in the best possible way. Benji wanted a doll very badly and, when his wish finally came true, another child was unkind and caused damage to his doll. However, instead of the usual "bully" arc, the other child hadn't intended to cause damage, felt bad for his actions (without the need for intervention from adults or other kids), and found a clever way to make amends.

I like the fact that nothing was made of Benji wanting a doll or of Benji getting upset and crying when his doll was damaged. I also liked that he was rightfully wary of the other child, but willing to allow him to apologize and try to make it right. The story ended on a positive and hopeful note.

This would make a great classroom read for pre-K through early elementary and is sure to spark lots of great conversation!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Benji's Doll is a sweet story about a young boy who wants a doll, like his best friend has. Once he gets a doll, a boy at the playground damages it. Read to find out how the problem is solved and how Benji and his friends overcome this challenge together. Fabulous illustrations accompany this sweet story!

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.

This was a cute story that shows children that toys don’t have to be gender specific. Benji is laughed at by classmate Pablo for playing with a doll. In the end, Pablo accepts it and plays along with dolls too. I feel like this is a bit of an oversimplification. A better and more realistic ending would be Benji accepting himself and being okay with the fact that not everyone will.

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.

This was really cute! I liked how we see Benji wanting and playing with a doll. And his girl friend plays with his truck. It shows that any child can play with any toy.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!