Quick Answer
Use The Gifts of the Year book as a seasonal read-aloud that pairs with your child's Hazel Village dolls. Follow a simple storytime rhythm to keep little listeners engaged from cover to cover.
Why a picture book works for doll play
Reading a story that stars the same animal friends your child plays with builds a bridge between the page and the playroom. When Gwendolyn Raccoon appears in the book and then in your child's hands, the story feels personal.
The hard cover and heavy recycled paper pages are made for repeated readings and small hands. At 7.125 by 8.75 inches, it's a comfortable size to hold while a child sits on your lap.
Trade-off: a storybook, not an activity book
This is a read-aloud book, not a craft or sticker book. There are no prompts or questions inside, so you'll need to bring your own ideas for extending the story.
That's actually a strength for parents who want a calm, screen-free routine. The 32 pages give you a complete story in one sitting, perfect for bedtime or a quiet afternoon.
How to Read The Gifts of the Year Aloud
- Set the scene with a doll: Before opening the book, place Gwendolyn Raccoon (or any Hazel Village doll) next to you. Let your child hold the doll during the first page so the story feels like it's about their friend. Checkpoint: If your child is distracted, let them move the doll as you read instead of keeping it still.
- Read with a seasonal voice: The book follows the four seasons, so change your tone for each part. Sound bright and quick for spring, slow and cozy for winter. This helps children under 8 follow the passage of time. Checkpoint: Pause after each season change and ask, "What do you think happens next?"
- Point to the illustrations: The full-color pictures carry a lot of the story. As you read, point to the animals and name them. If your child has that same doll, hold it up next to the page. Checkpoint: If your child loses interest, skip a page of text and just describe the picture.
- End with a doll-led recap: After the last page, ask your child to use their doll to act out one thing that happened. This turns the read-aloud into a play prompt and reinforces comprehension. Checkpoint: Keep the recap short—one or two actions is enough for ages 3-8.
About the book
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The Gifts of the Year Book: Written and illustrated by Hazel Village founder Jane Van Cleef, the book stars Gwendolyn Raccoon and includes all the Hazel Village animal friends, with 32 full-color pages on heavy recycled paper. Since the characters match the dolls you already own, you can point to a page and then bring out the matching plush to make storytime interactive.
The Gifts of the Year Book
