Elizabeti’s
Doll by
Stephani Stuve-Bodeen is the story of a young girl who mimics her mother’s the
maternal care through symbolic play. There are no baby dolls in her village in
rural Tanzania, so a rock fills in. Christy Hale’s illustrations have a rich
warmth that reinforces the care expressed in this story. Elizabeti’s Doll
won the 1999 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award.
Elizabeti’s
relationship to the rock develops over the course of the story. As Elizabeti imitates her mother’s tender
care for her baby brother, the rock-doll undergoes a transformation. First,
Elizabeti hugs her rock-doll, kisses it, and names it Eva. Second, she
copies basic caretaking: washing and feeding. Third, Eva becomes
a
constant companion. Elizabeti carries Eva on her back while doing
chores and takes Eva to visit a friend. Fourth, Elizabeti ordains Eva with emotion
by placing it with other rocks, so it won’t be lonely. Fifth, when Eva is lost,
she can’t
be replaced. Any other rock “is just a rock.” Finally, at the end of the story, the
rock thinks that Elizabeti will make a fine mother. Elizabeti’s Doll is read aloud by Janice
Sneller. This
lesson is read aloud on my YouTube
channel.
