First published 1977
Miss Hickory discovers her family has left for the winter without her. The small doll, crafted from a hickory twig body and dried apple head, must survive the harsh New Hampshire countryside on her own. She takes shelter in a corncob house and learns to fend for herself through the cold months. Miss Hickory encounters various woodland creatures who become both friends and challenges. A bossy crow tries to help her, while other animals view her as either curiosity or threat. As winter deepens, Miss Hickory grows more resourceful and independent. She faces the constant danger of her apple head drying out completely, which would mean the end of her existence. The tiny doll must navigate not only physical survival but also questions about what makes someone real and alive. Her journey through the seasons becomes a test of resilience and self-discovery in a world much larger than herself.
Genres: fiction, 20th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, whimsical
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: New Hampshire
Period: 20th-Century
120 pages · Library Binding · Perfection Learning