Carolina lived with her mother and father and brother Mark in old New Hampshire. She loved the farm, the hills surrounding it, and the village nearby. But most of all, she loved her doll, Lydia-Lou. Lyddy-Lou had a painted-china face, china hands, and china feet with painted-black-buttoned shoes. She always wore layers of petticoats and pretty dresses, and Carolina thought she was the most beautiful doll in the world.

One day Carolina's father decided to take his family to a new land in the west where there would be better soil for farming. Carolina was sorry to leave her home, but she was glad there was room for Lyddy-Lou in the crowded covered wagon.

The trip was difficult and long and the family had to be strong to endure the hardships. One day they learned there were dangerous Indians nearby. How Carolina was called on for courage and a very difficult sacrifice is told with skill and sensitivity. The delicate pen and ink drawings capture perfectly the mood of the story.

From the dust jacket