BETTY DOLL by Patricia Polacco, Philomel Books, New York, 2001, 40 pages, $16.99.

These days we tend to think of inheritance in terms of taxable property: real estate and stocks and bonds. The implication is that if you don’t manage to pass on those earthly goods you’re doing your children a terrible disservice. What a horrible guilt to lay on loving parents! And how untrue! If you’ve lost a dear one, you know that his or her most humble possession capable of evoking treasured memories is priceless.

In “Betty Doll,” a book that will be cherished by families, Patricia Polacco eloquently reminds us of this. Speaking by phone from her Michigan home, Polacco said that “Betty Doll” was inspired by the death of her own mother, Mary Ellen Gar Barber. Polacco wanted to write a book for children that would also resonate with adults to pay tribute to her best friend, teacher, mentor and healer.

One day, going through Barber’s possessions, Polacco found a small brown-paper wrapped box marked, “for my dearest little Tricia.” It contained Barber’s childhood doll and a letter she had written to her daughter to be read after her death. The letter told the story of Betty Doll and her pivotal role in their family history.

When Barber was 6, her family’s home burned to the ground. Her five dolls were destroyed. Revealing the extent of her mother’s pain, Polacco says “She thought the dolls she lost had burned to death.”

Barber’s mother helped her carefully stitch a new doll, Betty Doll. From then on the two were inseparable through occasions ranging from the celebration of the completion of a new home to that scary first day of school. Youngsters will relish Betty Doll’s role in saving Barber and her brothers when a fierce blizzard forces them to take shelter under a bridge almost two miles from home. And they’ll be

quite amused by the way an innocent misdeed results in new matching dresses for doll and owner.

When Barber started her own fami-

ly, Betty Doll became intimately involved with the joys and sorrows of two more generations. Polacco remembered her as always being there. “Any time we needed comfort Betty came out.”

When Barber discovered that she had cancer she also took comfort in Betty Doll. She held her and cried, and the memories of happier times made her feel better.

Polacco treasured the years that followed. She took her mother on the road and spent a lot of time with her. They were able to really reflect and discuss things people usually don’t talk about. Little hurts were put into perspective and became unimportant. “It was a blessing to know that Mother and I were on borrowed time,” Polacco said.

Facing her own death, Barber found a way to help her daughter through the most painful transition of her life. It would be a sin to conclude this review without a quote from the last page of the book. At the end of her narrative she declares,

“And now, my darlin’, I know you need Betty Doll. I had put her away because she had become as fragile as I am now. Hold her close to your heart.

“She’ll help you remember such warm things.

“But most of all, when you look into her face, I want you to remember how much I love you.

“I will always love you … and that, my darlin’, will NEVER end.

“Love,

“Mom”

All of those who leave such a legacy will live on in the hearts of our sons and daughters.

Warning: When you read “Betty Doll” keep a hanky on hand. You’ll need it.