

| For as long as I can remember, paper dolls have been a part of my life. Not only have they been my most cherished playthings, but also my faithful companions, a source of relaxation, and the inspiration for my artwork. As a child, I spent many a happy hour— alone and with friends—playing with my extended paper doll family—a family that included movie and television stars, cartoon characters, glamorous models, trendy teens, beautiful brides, schoolchildren and babies, and even adorable pets. Added to the treasures my mom bought for me every month were dozens of my very own creations that I lovingly drew and colored with magic markers. All of these paper people— whether store-bought or homemade—lived together in the towns I built using the sturdy paper doll folders, books, houseplants, and even furniture. My towns had homes and apartment buildings set atop scenic hills (the couch and coffee table), schools, hospitals, shops filled with hundreds of tabbed costumes, parks, and a large auditorium (my rocking chair tipped over) for beauty pageants, stage plays, and weddings. My imagination was at work, and with so many possibilities for play, I was seldom bored. By the time I was in my late teens, I was an avid collector of limited edition paper doll books and vintage sets that were too valuable to cut out. Like most adult collectors, I no longer played with my paper dolls, but I loved them just the same. Then, when I was 21 years old, I drew a simple, T-shaped paper doll for a co-worker’s young granddaughter during a coffee break. The child’s enthusiasm for her new paper friend and requests from other co-workers for more dolls and costumes sparked my renewed interest in creating paper dolls that were easy to cut out and dress. Once again, I discovered the joy of playing with paper people, a pastime I shared with my own little girl when I became a mother several years later. I will never outgrow my love of paper dolls. In this age of high-tech video games and electronic toys, it saddens me to see that so many children—indeed most children—have never experienced the wholesome pleasure of playing with paper dolls and paper toys. For years now, I have made it a point to introduce all of my daughter’s friends and all of my friends’ daughters to the winsome world of paper dolls. And now I would like to share that world with you and yours! It really is up to us—the adults who grew up in the days when paper dolls were readily available in most stores— to ensure that the next generation does not let this wonderful and imaginative pastime disappear. Alina M. Kolluri |
| A LETTER FROM THE ARTIST |