Doll reference books

Doll reference books

Yay, thanks to the NCDC you’ve become a real national costume doll expert! But like normal people, you may want to read a regular book before going to sleep. Here are a few titles to keep you awake.

Never a dull moment

Look at pictures, read some background information. This list helps you on your way.

Must-reads for bookworms

Maybe someday the NCDC will publish the ultimate superthick complete and accurate doll reference book. A classic work that beats all standards. Yes brilliant idea! For now you’ll have to do with this humble book list. Books I have gathered together over the years.

Dolls & Toys of Native America - A Journey Through Childhood. by Don and Debra McQuiston. Publisher: Chronicle Books 1995. Language: English. Hardcover 120 pages.

Collectible Dolls in National Costume. by John Axe. Publisher: ‎Hobby House Press 1977. Language: ‎English. Softcover ‎48 pages.

Inuit Dolls - Reminders of a Heritage. By Eva Strickler and Anaoyok Alookee. Publisher: ‎Canadian Stage & Arts Publications Ltd, 1st edition 1988. Language: ‎English. Paperback ‎176 pages.

The world of Toys - The Fascinating History of Folk Toys. By Dr. Josef Kandert. Publisher: ‎Hamlyn 1992. Language: ‎English. Hardcover 240 pages.

Trachtenpuppen aus aller Welt. By Christine Kerler & Gertrud Rosemann. Publisher: Rosenheimer 1980. Language: German. Hardcover 160 pages.

The Encyclopedia of Regional Dolls of the World. By Marjory Fainges. Publisher: Robert Hale Limited 1995. Language: English. Hardcover 160 pages.

Bangkok Dolls - Miniature Ambassadors for the Crafts and Cultural Heritage of Thailand. By Khunying Tongkorn Chandavimol. Publisher: Ton-Or Co Ltd 1994. Language: English. Hardcover 135 pages.

Asian Puppets Wall of the World. By Christopher Donnan. Publisher: UCLA Museum of Cultural History 1976. Language: English. Paperback 152 pages (Exhibition Catalogue).

Das Ungarische Puppentheater Heute. By Dezsö Szilágyi. Publisher: Corvina Verlag 1978. Language: German. Hardcover 181 pages.

Rønnaug Petterssen - The Artist and Her Dolls. By Bodil Petterssen Meleney. Publisher: Green Kids Press 2014. Language: English. Paperback 188 pages.

Mexican Popular Art - Clothing and Dolls. By Wendy Scalzo. Publisher: Schiffer 2008. Language: English. Hardcover 208 pages.

The Other Russian Dolls - Antique Bisque to 1980s Plastic. By Linda Holderbaum. Publisher: Schiffer 2019. Language: English. Hardcover 192 pages.

Costumes of Old Mexico - Carselle & Poveda Souvenir Dolls. By Sandy Hargrove. Publisher: Lulu.com 2013. Language: English. Paperback: 142 pages.

The Book of Antique Japanese Dolls of the Meiji Era. By Florence Theriault. Publisher: Gold Horse Publishing 1993. Language: English. Hardcover 159 pages.

Japanische Puppen. By Takabayashi Yasushi & Irmtraud Schaarschmidt-Richter. Publisher: R. Piper & Co. Verlag 1962. Language: German. Hardcover 50 pages.

African and Asian Costumed Dolls. By Polly and Pam Judd. Publisher: Hobby House Press 1995. Language: English. Paperback 176 pages.

European Costumed Dolls. By Polly and Pam Judd. Publisher: Hobby House Press 1994. Language: English. Paperback 168 pages.

Americas Australia & Pacific Islands Costumed Dolls. By Polly and Pam Judd. Publisher: Hobby House Press 1997. Language: English. Paperback 160 pages.

Folk and Foreign Costume dolls - An identification and value guide. By Linda Jean Frame. Publisher: Collector Books 1980. Language: English. Paperback 96 pages.

Poupées Japonaises - Dolls of Japan. By Tekiho Nishizawa. Publisher: Kokusai Bunka Shinkokai 1934. Language: English & French. Paperback 54 pages.

Indian Dolls and Toys. By Ajit Mookerjee. Publisher: Crafts Museum New Delhi 1968. Language: English. Paperback 98 pages.

Collection de Poupées Japonaises. By Musée Cernuschi. Publisher: Musée Cernuschi 1983. Language: French. Paperback 25 pages.

Dolls in National and Folk Costume. By Jean Greenhowe. Publisher: BT Batsford 1978. Language: English. Hardcover 112 pages.

Historische klederdrachten uit 12 provinciën. By Letty Wouters. Publisher: La Rivière 1997. Language: Dutch. Hardcover 59 pages.

Kachina-Figuren der Hopi-Indianer. By Horst Hartmann. Publisher: Museum für Volkerkunde Berlin 1978. Language: German. Paperback 286 pages.

Hopi Kachina Dolls with a Key to their Identification. By Harold S. Colton. Publisher: University of New Mexico Press, revised edition 2000. Language: English. Paperback 150 pages.

Poupée-Jouet Poupée-Reflet. By Laboratoire d'ethnologie. Publisher: Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle 1983. Language: French. Paperback 119 pages.

Poppen in klederdracht. By Ron & Olga van der Most. Publisher: Cantecleer BV 1981. Language: Dutch. Hardcover 96 pages.

Verre vrienden van Jan klaassen. By Elisabeth den Otter. Publisher: KIT Publications. Language: Dutch. Paperback 110 pages.

Kunst van Afrika Oceanië Amerika. By Etnografisch Museum Antwerpen. Publisher: Unknown 1966. Language: Dutch. Paperback 92 pages.

Poppen uit West-Afrika. By Vincent Dame. Publisher: Unknown 1978. Language: Dutch. Softcover 56 pages.

Les Poupées. By Antonia Fraser. Publisher: Hachette 1965. Language: French. Hardcover 128 pages.

Puppen aus aller Welt. By Claus Hansmann. Publisher: F. Bruckmann 1959. Language: German. Hardcover 69 pages.

American Dolls from the Brooklyn Children's Museum. By Susan Feuer. Publisher: Andrews and McMeel 1995. Language: English. Hardcover 80 pages.

Identifying Japanese Dolls, Notes on Ningyo. By Lea Baten. Publisher: Hotei Publishing 2000. Language: English. Hardcover 144 pages.

Ningyo, the Art of the Japanese Doll. By Alan Scott Pate. Publisher: Tuttle Publishing 2005. Language: English. Hardcover 288 pages.

Japanese Dolls, the Image and the Motif. By Lea Baten. Publisher: Shufunotomo Co. 1988. Language: English. Hardcover 152 pages.

The Dolls of Japan: Shapes of Prayer, Embodiments of Love. By Tetsuro Kitamura. Publisher: The Japan Foundation 1988. Language: English. Softcover 30 pages.

Classical Origami. By Sakuma Yaeme. Publisher: Heibonsha 1981. Language: Japanese. Hardcover 194 pages.

Wayang Golek, de Fascinerende Wereld van het Klassieke West-Javaanse Poppenspel. By Peter Buurman. Publisher: A.W. Sijthoff 1980. Language: Dutch. Hardcover 160 pages.

Puppen aus fünf Kontinenten. By Brigitte & Ilse Bofinger. Publisher: Battenberg Verlag 1992. Language: German. Hardcover 128 pages.

World Colors, Dolls & Dress. By Susan Hendrick & Vilma Matchette. Publisher: Hobby House Press 1997. Language: English. Hardcover 192 pages.

Isn't S/He a Doll? Play and Ritual in African Sculpture. By Elisabeth L. Cameron. Publisher: UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History 1996. Language: English. Softcover 124 pages.

African Dolls, Afrikanische Puppen, The Dulger Collection. By Frank Jolles. Publisher: Arnoldsche Art Publishers 2010. Language: English and German. Hardcover 176 pages.

African Dolls, For Play and Magic. By Esther A. Dagan. Publisher: Galerie Amrad African Arts 1990. Language: English and French. Softcover 143 pages.

Poppen Spel en Ritueel, Dolls for Play and Ritual. By Ferry Herrebrugh. Publisher: Afrika Museum Netherlands 1995. Language: English and Dutch. Paperback 44 pages.

The How-to Book of International Dolls. By Loretta Holz. Publisher: Crown Publishers Inc.1980. Language: English. Softcover 344 pages.

Oriental Dolls, An Identification and Value Guide. By Patricia R. Smith. Publisher: Collector Books 1979. Language: English. Softcover 140 pages.

Les poupées Le Minor, un Petit Monde de Haute Couture. By Anne Libouban. Publisher: Editions Coop Breizh 2011. Language: French. Softcover 191 pages.

Matryoshka, Russian Souvenir. By L. N. Soloviova. Publisher: Interbook Business 1997. Language: English. Hardcover 96 pages.

Following the Sun and Moon, Hopi Kachina Tradition. By Alph H Secakuku. Publisher: Northland Publishing in Cooperation with the Heard Museum 1995. Language: English. Softcover 134 pages.

Hopi Kachina, Spirit of Life. By Dorothy K. Washburn. Publisher: California Academy of Sciences 1980. Language: English. Softcover 158 pages.

Hopi Kachinas Drawn by Native Artists. By Jesse Walter Fewkes. Publisher: Rio Grande Press 1976. Language: English. Hardcover 190 pages.

An Invitation to Kokeshi Dolls. By Chizuko Takeuchi with Roberta Stephens. Publisher: Tsugaru Shobō 1982. Language: English. Hardcover 86 pages.

Peeps at the World's Dolls. By H.W. Canning-Wright. Publisher: A. & C. Black LTD 1923. Language: English. Hardcover 87 pages.

Hina Dolls of Japan: The Definitive Edition. By Hiroaki Koresawa. Publisher: Tankosha 2013. Language: Japanese and English. Paperback 144 pages.

The Peggy Nisbet Story. By Peggy Nisbet. Publisher: Hobby House Press 1988. Language: English. Hardcover 160 pages.

Das grosse Puppenbuch: Rarita�?ten aus Ka�?rnten (About doll artist Elli Riehl). By Anton Kreuzer. Publisher: Verlag Carinthia 1977. Language: German. Hardcover 63 pages.

American Folk Dolls. By Wendy Lavitt. Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf 1982. Language: English. Paperback 133 pages.

Russian Toys. By A Schpikalow. Publisher: Progress Publishers 1974. Language: Russian, English and German. Hardcover 79 pages.

Soviet Toys. By Art Education Museum of Toys USSR Academy of Pedagogical Sciences. Publisher: Unknown around 1984. Language: Russian, English, French, German and Spanish. Softcover 46 pages.

Poppemensjes in Klederdracht. By Dettie Veldhuis-van der Schoot. Publisher: Niesje Wolters van Bemmel (Year unknown). Language: Dutch. Softcover 19 pages.

Hopi Kachinas: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls. By Barton Wright. Publisher: Northland Publishing 1978. Language: German. Softcover 139 pages.

Japanese Antique Dolls. By Jill and David Gribbin. Publisher: Weatherhill Inc 1984. Language: English. Hardcover 172 pages.

Puppen aus Afrika: Ritus und Spiel. By Brigitte Bofinger and Wolfgang Bofinger. Publisher: Edition Phaistos 2006. Language: English. Softcover 144 pages.

Dolls & Toys of Native America - A Journey Through Childhood

By Don and Debra McQuiston. Publisher: Chronicle Books 1995. Language: ‎English. Hardcover 120 pages.

Collectible Dolls in National Costume

By John Axe. Publisher: ‎Hobby House Press 1977. Language: ‎English. Softcover ‎48 pages.

Inuit Dolls - Reminders of a Heritage

By Eva Strickler and Anaoyok Alookee. Publisher: ‎Canadian Stage & Arts Publications Ltd, 1st edition 1988. Language: ‎English. Paperback ‎176 pages.

The world of Toys - the Fascinating History of Folk Toys

By Dr. Josef Kandert. Publisher: Hamlyn 1992. Language: English. Hardcover 240 pages.

Trachtenpuppen aus aller Welt

By Christine Kerler & Gertrud Rosemann. Publisher: Rosenheimer 1980. Language: German. Hardcover 160 pages.

The Encyclopedia of Regional Dolls of the World

By Marjory Fainges. Publisher: Robert Hale Limited 1995. Language: English. Hardcover 160 pages.

Bangkok Dolls - Miniature Ambassadors for the Crafts and Cultural Heritage of Thailand

By Khunying Tongkorn Chandavimol. Publisher: Ton-Or Co Ltd 1994. Language: English. Hardcover 135 pages.

Asian Puppets Wall of the World

By Christopher Donnan. Publisher: UCLA Museum of Cultural History 1976. Language: English. Paperback 152 pages (Exhibition Catalogue).

Das Ungarische Puppentheater Heute

By Dezsö Szilágyi. Publisher: Corvina Verlag 1978. Language: German. Hardcover 181 pages.

Rønnaug Petterssen - The Artist and Her Dolls

By Bodil Petterssen Meleney. Publisher: Green Kids Press 2014. Language: English. Paperback 188 pages.

Mexican Popular Art - Clothing and Dolls

By Wendy Scalzo. Publisher: Schiffer 2008. Language: English. Hardcover 208 pages.

The Other Russian Dolls - Antique Bisque to 1980s Plastic

By Linda Holderbaum. Publisher: Schiffer 2019. Language: English. Hardcover 192 pages.

Costumes of Old Mexico - Carselle & Poveda Souvenir Dolls

By Sandy Hargrove. Publisher: Lulu.com 2013. Language: English. Paperback: 142 pages.

The Book of Antique Japanese Dolls of the Meiji Era

By Florence Theriault. Publisher: Gold Horse Publishing 1993. Language: English. Hardcover 159 pages.

Japanische Puppen

By Takabayashi Yasushi & Irmtraud Schaarschmidt-Richter. Publisher: R. Piper & Co. Verlag 1962. Language: German. Hardcover 50 pages.

African and Asian Costumed Dolls

By Polly and Pam Judd. Publisher: Hobby House Press 1995. Language: English. Paperback 176 pages.

European Costumed Dolls

By Polly and Pam Judd. Publisher: Hobby House Press 1994. Language: English. Paperback 168 pages.

Americas Australia & Pacific Islands Costumed Dolls

By Polly and Pam Judd. Publisher: Hobby House Press 1997. Language: English. Paperback 160 pages.

Folk and Foreign Costume dolls - An identification and value guide

By Linda Jean Frame. Publisher: Collector Books 1980. Language: English. Paperback 96 pages.

Poupées Japonaises - Dolls of Japan

By Tekiho Nishizawa. Publisher: Kokusai Bunka Shinkokai 1934. Language: English & French. Paperback 54 pages.

Indian Dolls and Toys

By Ajit Mookerjee. Publisher: Crafts Museum New Delhi 1968. Language: English. Paperback 98 pages.

Collection de Poupées Japonaises

By Musée Cernuschi. Publisher: Musée Cernuschi 1983. Language: French. Paperback 25 pages.

Dolls in National and Folk Costume

By Jean Greenhowe. Publisher: BT Batsford 1978. Language: English. Hardcover 112 pages.

Historische klederdrachten uit 12 provinciën

By Letty Wouters. Publisher: La Rivière 1997. Language: Dutch. Hardcover 59 pages.

Kachina-Figuren der Hopi-Indianer

By Horst Hartmann. Publisher: Museum für Volkerkunde Berlin 1978. Language: German. Paperback 286 pages.

Hopi Kachina Dolls with a Key to their Identification

By Harold S. Colton. Publisher: University of New Mexico Press, revised edition 2000. Language: English. Paperback 150 pages.

Poupée-Jouet Poupée-Reflet

By Laboratoire d'ethnologie. Publisher: Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle 1983. Language: French. Paperback 119 pages.

Poppen in klederdracht

By Ron & Olga van der Most. Publisher: Cantecleer BV 1981. Language: Dutch. Hardcover 96 pages.

Verre vrienden van Jan klaassen

By Elisabeth den Otter. Publisher: KIT Publications. Language: Dutch. Paperback 110 pages.

Kunst van Afrika Oceanië Amerika

By Etnografisch Museum Antwerpen. Publisher: Unknown 1966. Language: Dutch. Paperback 92 pages.

Poppen uit West-Afrika

By Vincent Dame. Publisher: Unknown 1978. Language: Dutch. Softcover 56 pages.

Les Poupées

By Antonia Fraser. Publisher: Hachette 1965. Language: French. Hardcover 128 pages.

Puppen aus aller Welt

By Claus Hansmann. Publisher: F. Bruckmann 1959. Language: German. Hardcover 69 pages.

American Dolls from the Brooklyn Children's Museum

By Susan Feuer. Publisher: Andrews and McMeel 1995. Language: English. Hardcover 80 pages.

Identifying Japanese Dolls, Notes on Ningyo

By Lea Baten. Publisher: Hotei Publishing 2000. Language: English. Hardcover 144 pages.

Ningyo, the Art of the Japanese Doll

By Alan Scott Pate. Publisher: Tuttle Publishing 2005. Language: English. Hardcover 288 pages.

Japanese Dolls, the Image and the Motif

By Lea Baten. Publisher: Shufunotomo Co. 1988. Language: English. Hardcover 152 pages.

The Dolls of Japan: Shapes of Prayer, Embodiments of Love

By Tetsuro Kitamura. Publisher: The Japan Foundation 1988. Language: English. Softcover 30 pages.

Classical Origami

By Sakuma Yaeme. Publisher: Heibonsha 1981. Language: Japanese. Hardcover 194 pages.

Wayang Golek, de Fascinerende Wereld van het Klassieke West-Javaanse Poppenspel

By Peter Buurman. Publisher: A.W. Sijthoff 1980. Language: Dutch. Hardcover 160 pages.

Puppen aus fünf Kontinenten

By Brigitte & Ilse Bofinger. Publisher: Battenberg Verlag 1992. Language: German. Hardcover 128 pages.

World Colors, Dolls & Dress

By Susan Hendrick & Vilma Matchette. Publisher: Hobby House Press 1997. Language: English. Hardcover 192 pages.

Isn't S/He a Doll? Play and Ritual in African Sculpture

By Elisabeth L. Cameron. Publisher: UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History 1996. Language: English. Softcover 124 pages.

African Dolls, Afrikanische Puppen, The Dulger Collection

By Frank Jolles. Publisher: Arnoldsche Art Publishers 2010. Language: English and German. Hardcover 176 pages.

African Dolls, For Play and Magic

By Esther A. Dagan. Publisher: Galerie Amrad African Arts 1990. Language: English and French. Softcover 143 pages.

Poppen Spel en Ritueel, Dolls for Play and Ritual

By Ferry Herrebrugh. Publisher: Afrika Museum Netherlands 1995. Language: English and Dutch. Paperback 44 pages.

The How-to Book of International Dolls

By Loretta Holz. Publisher: Crown Publishers Inc.1980. Language: English. Softcover 344 pages.

Oriental Dolls, An Identification and Value Guide

By Patricia R. Smith. Publisher: Collector Books 1979. Language: English. Softcover 140 pages.

Les poupées Le Minor, un Petit Monde de Haute Couture

By Anne Libouban. Publisher: Editions Coop Breizh 2011. Language: French. Softcover 191 pages.

Matryoshka, Russian Souvenir

By L. N. Soloviova. Publisher: Interbook Business 1997. Language: English. Hardcover 96 pages.

Following the Sun and Moon, Hopi Kachina Tradition

By Alph H Secakuku. Publisher: Northland Publishing in Cooperation with the Heard Museum 1995. Language: English. Softcover 134 pages.

Hopi Kachina, Spirit of Life

By Dorothy K. Washburn. Publisher: California Academy of Sciences 1980. Language: English. Softcover 158 pages.

Hopi Kachinas Drawn by Native Artists

By Jesse Walter Fewkes. Publisher: Rio Grande Press 1976. Language: English. Hardcover 190 pages.

An Invitation to Kokeshi Dolls

By Chizuko Takeuchi with Roberta Stephens. Publisher: Tsugaru Shobō 1982. Language: English. Hardcover 86 pages.

Peeps at the World's Dolls

By H.W. Canning-Wright. Publisher: A. & C. Black LTD 1923. Language: English. Hardcover 87 pages.

Hina Dolls of Japan: The Definitive Edition

By Hiroaki Koresawa. Publisher: Tankosha 2013. Language: Japanese and English. Paperback 144 pages.

The Peggy Nisbet Story

By Peggy Nisbet. Publisher: Hobby House Press 1988. Language: English. Hardcover 160 pages.

Das grosse Puppenbuch: Rarita�?ten aus Ka�?rnten (About doll artist Elli Riehl)

By Anton Kreuzer. Publisher: Verlag Carinthia 1977. Language: German. Hardcover 63 pages.

American Folk Dolls

By Wendy Lavitt. Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf 1982. Language: English. Paperback 133 pages.

Russian Toys

By A Schpikalow. Publisher: Progress Publishers 1974. Language: Russian, English and German. Hardcover 79 pages.

Soviet Toys

By Art Education Museum of Toys USSR Academy of Pedagogical Sciences. Publisher: Unknown around 1984. Language: Russian, English, French, German and Spanish. Softcover 46 pages.

Poppemensjes in Klederdracht

By Dettie Veldhuis-van der Schoot. Publisher: Niesje Wolters van Bemmel (Year unknown). Language: Dutch. Softcover 19 pages.

Hopi Kachinas: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls

By Barton Wright. Publisher: Northland Publishing 1978. Language: German. Softcover 139 pages.

Japanese Antique Dolls

By Jill and David Gribbin. Publisher: Weatherhill Inc 1984. Language: English. Hardcover 172 pages.

Puppen aus Afrika: Ritus und Spiel

By Brigitte Bofinger and Wolfgang Bofinger. Publisher: Edition Phaistos 2006. Language: English. Softcover 144 pages.

Fall in love with dolls!

First, take a look around and enjoy all my unique and beautiful dolls. Next, complete your own collection with a doll from my webshop poppentopper.com. If that’s still not enough then join my National Costume Doll ID Group on Facebook. Fall in love with foreign costume dolls like me, there’s much to learn and appreciate!

Happy collecting,