Yona Zeldis McDonough’s The Doll Shop Downstairs inspires a young reluctant reader

Yona Zeldis McDonough received an e-mail from the father of a little girl who was not a big fan of reading, but whose passion was suddenly ignited by her encounter with THE DOLL SHOP DOWNSTAIRS, (Penguin).  McDonough was so touched by the father’s message that she offered to send the girl a bookmark.  The father responded by sending this photo of a diorama based on the story that the girl made to share with her class.  “I remember the books that I read and re-read as a child,” says McDonough, “the ones that took up residence in my soul, and gave me as much nourishment as food and drink.  I feel such satisfaction to think that I might have written a book that will have a similar effect on a child.”