Whiting Library Raffles Bonnie Book Doll

Bonnie Book loves the Whiting Library. The doll, created by Chester doll maker Bonnie Watters, is Bonnie's way of giving back to the Chester town library on Main Street. Not long after the Watters moved to Chester in 1974, their girls latched on to the special place to go with Dad, who traveled in his job. At one time the children's room was decorated with Bonnie's dolls and animals. Today Bonnie loves to write stories about her dolls and engage children, including her six grandchildren, to photograph, illustrate and embellish her Gossip Chair stories.

The inspiration for the raffle prize doll came from Bonnie's own love of reading as a child. Her dad would catch her with a flashlight reading under the covers after "lights out." "You'll end up wearing glasses, child." She remembered the best way to digest what you read was to sit in a chair with both feet on the floor and proper light behind you in quiet. Well, that did not always happen, but this Bonnie Book Doll captures Bonnie's love to create and to pick the right size, colors and hairstyles. Inspiration came from a picture of herself as a young girl with looped braids.

One can purchase raffle tickets at the Whiting Library, at Bonnie's doll gallery, or on the Chester Festival Sale on the Green on September 20 and 21. Tickets are $5 each or six for $25 for this special gift valued at $210. Come buy and record your favorite book on the ticket. Drawing for this Bonnie's Bundles Doll will be October 8.

Visit www.whitinglibrary.org or www.bonniesbundlesdolls.com for details.