Creating the Henrietta Paper Doll: Bringing a Children’s Book Character to Life

Does anyone play with paper dolls?

When I began creating Henrietta, the main character in my children's picture book Henrietta, the Singing Ballerina, I never imagined she would eventually become a paper doll. What began as a story about a determined little ballerina eventually led me to painting Henrietta the paper doll, designing her wardrobe, and rediscovering the simple creative pleasure of playing with paper dolls.

As I sold the Henrietta children’s picture book, I became more immersed in her character. I began to write Henrietta’s second story. I loved that she had a real personality. I thought a Henrietta ballet doll should be made. Going back and forth with the Chinese factory made me focus in on what the Henrietta ballet doll should look like as a three-dimensional character. What was her hair like? Was it light brown or dark brown? Does she have a button nose or a flatter nose? What cloth should be used for the skin? How tall should the doll be? How much will it cost?

As I worked on the doll, the thought came to me that perhaps paper dolls would be fun and easy to create. As a child, I remember playing with paper dolls. This could be a fun and not too difficult project. I had painted the Henrietta books and characters myself. It would be easy to paint Henrietta as a paper doll and create a wardrobe for her.

How I Designed the Henrietta Paper Doll

One week, while by myself, I designed a 9-inch Henrietta paper doll. Her face and stature had the right personality. Then I worked diligently painting outfits, making sure they fit the 9-inch character, Henrietta, the Singing Ballerina. I painted them on watercolor paper, copied them with a copier and printed them. I was pleased with the results. Then I started to cut out the outfits and worked on how to make the paper doll stand up to support the clothes. It was not as easy as one might think. There were little pieces of white paper everywhere.

The challenges of Creating My Henrietta Paper Doll

I went to printers to see if they could print the Henrietta paper doll in a stronger paper because it was difficult to have Henrietta stand on her own. There were quite a few chuckles from the older men who were giving me estimates to have the Henrietta doll printed. It was going to be too expensive to have them do any printing. I wouldn’t be able to market the product inexpensively enough to have it be a successful product.

It was so much fun creating the paper doll for Henrietta. It brought be back to my childhood of simple busy and creative play.

I decided not to finish the product design for now. Does anyone play with paper dolls anyway?