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The Mystery of the Backdoor Bundle

Three Cousins Detective Club

#28 The Mystery of the Backdoor Bundle by Elspeth Campbell Murphy, 2000.

Sarah-Jane’s mother owns a decorating business, but recently she and her business partner have started repairing dolls because he has discovered that he has a talent for it. One day, while the Sarah-Jane and her cousins, Timothy and Titus, are sitting in the kitchen, someone knocks on the door and leaves a basket with a doll inside it. There is a note with the doll that says, “Please help me!”

When the kids show it to Sarah-Jane’s mother and her business partner, the partner says that the doll is an antique. The question is why anyone would simply abandon the doll with a note asking for help. The only clues they have are some footprints, a button, and a scrap of paper outside with logo of a blue kangaroo.

The doll is hiding a secret, and it’s up to the cousins to learn what it is and to help someone who cannot ask for help directly. This person has done something that they can’t admit to doing, but they’re trying to do the right thing and need some help to make it right.

The theme of the story is Psalm 147:3, “[The Lord] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

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Katy Comes Next

KatyComesNext

Katy Comes Next by Laura Bannon, 1959.

Ruth is little girl whose parents own a doll hospital. She has always been proud and fascinated by how her parents can make old or damaged dolls beautiful again.

KatyComesNextDollShop

However, Ruth’s own beloved doll, Katy, is in need of repair herself. As her parents rush around repairing dolls for their customers, they keep assuring her that Katy’s turn will come next.

KatyComesNextRuthsFather

After being put off repeatedly, Ruth starts to think that poor Katy will never get the attention that she needs.

KatyComesNextRuthMending

When Ruth’s parents realize how discouraged she is, they decide to take a day off for Katy to come first.

KatyComesNextFatherPaintSpray

This was one of absolute favorites when I was little!  The pictures alternate between black and white and color and show the process that Ruth’s parents go through to repair Katy, repaint her body and features, and give her new hair and eyes.

KatyComesNextWigs
KatyComesNextClothesTrunk

Ruth also gets to pick out an entirely new wardrobe for Katy. I was always fascinated with the description of how Ruth’s parents fixed the doll, and I enjoyed imagining the doll clothes that I would have selected from the ones they showed in the pictures.  Making the choices is half the fun!

KatyComesNextDresses
KatyComesNextPajamas

When Katy is finally finished, she looks beautiful, and Ruth is happy!  This is one of the many out of print children’s books that I wish would come back into print!

KatyComesNextPartyDress