Christmas is coming, and six-year-old Esther knows how much her little sister, Betty Rae, would love to have a doll. It is 1932, at the depth of the great depression, and Daddy has lost his job. Buying a doll is out of the question. Mother offers to help Esther make a rag doll. Esther doesn't want help. She has to make it all by herself, so the present will be just from her. With Mother's guidance, and a great deal of excitement, Esther works every day on the doll, while Betty Rae is napping. It takes a lot of hard work. Can she finish in time - completely finish? Esther and Betty Rae are also involved in the Sunday School Christmas pageant. It is lovely, but they see that all the most important parts are assigned to older children. What can be done about that disappointment? The sisters come up with a plan. On Christmas day Esther receives an unexpected delightful gift, but nothing can compare with the thrill of watching Betty Rae unwrap that very special present - the doll! CHRISTMAS DOLL is an excellent book for reading aloud, but children eight or older could read it for themselves.