When the Land of the Dolls is invaded by the evil Kingdom of the Rats, Karolina is carried by a kind wind to the human world. She wakes up in the toyshop of the Dollmaker of Krakow. At first he can’t believe that Karolina is real, but as their friendship grows, the Dollmaker discovers he is a magician with a small amount of magic. As the war goes on and the Jews of Krakow are herded into a ghetto, the Dollmaker realises that although he can’t defeat the Nazi army, he can make a significant difference in his friends’ lives. Karolina knows the Nazi leaders are just like the wicked Rat King, back in the Land of the Dolls. Perhaps she can learn something in the human world that will help save her home.

R M Romero has cleverly combined fairytales, folklore and history to produce this magical tale of two heroic characters. The author is honest with her readers: not everyone has a happy ending. But, as a result, some people’s lives become the stuff of legends.

Reviewed by Wendy Noble
Age guide 10+