Ida's Doll

During the daytime, Ida loves the sunlight's patterns on the floors, and the oven's warm smells of baking. When she plays outside, all the children follow her lead. Her family is poor, but Ida doesn't notice until night falls. Then, when she climbs into the bed she shares with her older sister Bess, Ida wishes she had a doll to cradle. Ida tells no one of her wish, but Bess remembers what it was like to be Ida's age. She offers her sister her arm, to be held like a baby; even when her arm is cramped, Bess leaves it in Ida's arms, cherishing her sister's still, happy sleep. And Ida, who still dreams of wonderful dolls, revels in Bess's care. This sounds sentimental, but because the story is, at its core, so lovingly intended, readers probably won't mind. Carter's illustrations set the real mood of the piece; her watercolors move the action from the clear, sunny hues of midday to the bluish, twilight world of Ida's dreams. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)