Miss Hickory

Reach for this book when your child is facing a major transition, struggling with a prickly temperament, or learning to find their footing when a caregiver is away. Miss Hickory is a doll made of applewood with a hickory nut head who must survive a harsh New Hampshire winter alone after her human family leaves. It is a deeply atmospheric story about resilience, the necessity of community, and the beauty of transformation. While the plot focuses on survival and nature, the emotional core explores how a stubborn, self-reliant personality learns to soften and connect with others. Best for ages 7 to 11, it is a sophisticated classic that rewards patient readers with a profound ending. Parents choose it to model how one can be small but incredibly strong, and how letting go of the old self can lead to beautiful new beginnings.