The enchantment starts with the cover which is flocked and embossed, with a gold tassel. Inside on the first page is a large cabinet with doors you fold back to reveal toys that will feature throughout the book. The stories of each of four dolls houses and the society of their times are told through the lives of the toys.
The cardboard dolls houses pop out from the pages to become three-dimensional. You can peep through the windows and open the doors, looking to find the answers to various questions posed by the dolls. There is a mediaeval dolls house, an 18th century neoclassical one, a late Victorian dolls house and an early 20th century one.
For each era , a double page of information has beautiful drawings of people, costumes and accessories of the times. And there is a two-page spread of 'secrets' that tell about everyday life. The special thing about these pages is that they have flaps you can fold up to reveal hidden interiors, fancy envelopes to open with messages inside, even a piece of velvet to stroke to show the fabric Tudor women wore.
I bought the book to give as a present to a young girl who is keen on miniatures. But I have fallen in love with it and am tempted to keep it for myself! This is not just a book to look at. It is an interactive experience that truly is enchanting.
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