Sindy on Social Media/Books: Susan Brewer – Books about Dolls (for example: British Dolls of the 1960s)

SHORT FACTS

Name: Susan Brewer

Age: Older than I would like to be!

Lives in: Essex, UK

Occupation: Writer

Known for: Doll Showcase Magazine (published four times a year), Various books about dolls and collectables. Also several novels.

TLSM is proud and honoured that Susan wrote her text The Doll You Love To Dress!  in TLSM’s website’s History page!

Susan’s Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1667015713328933

https://www.facebook.com/susan.brewer.author

With my portable keypad and some of my books, working in the garden 2026. I love spending time working on a book in the sunshine, listening to the birds singing and surrounded by flowers and greenery.

Questions and Answers

1) Q: How did you first discover Sindy? A: Probably in a toyshop window.

2) Q: How old were you when you got your first Sindy? A: No Idea, guessing 35.

3) Q: What model was your first Sindy? A: Weekenders.

4) Q: What kind of Sindy/Sindy item did you dream about as a kid? A: Not applicable.

5) Q: What kind of Sindy/Sindy item do you dream about now? A: I don’t actually dream about it but would love the baton that goes with the Majorette Sindy!

6) Q: What led you into your Sindy career you have today? A: I write about about dolls, so had to include her in some of my works.

7) Q: Can you mention three people you think helped you there? A: Not Applicable.

8) Q: Do you have a special goal for your Sindy work? A: Not really, but I make sure she gets regular mentions in my quarterly publication Doll Showcase.

9) Q: Can you mention three people you think of as doll influencers? A: Colette Mansell’s books, especially her Sindy book, have proved very helpful. Francis Baird’s books about dolls are useful too. There are many other authors who have written interesting books about dolls from antique through to modern.

10) Q: What do you love/like/appreciate about Sindy? A: Her kindly, pretty face, so much more friendly and realistic than Barbie! Some of the outfits she wore in the 1960s and 70s bring back memories of the fashions that I wore then.

11) Q: Anything else you’d like to share with us? A: As well as the original Pedigree dolls I am very taken with the Tonner Sindys and their beautiful costumes. I try to get Sindy of all kinds mentioned fairly often in Doll Showcase magazine. I wasn’t happy with the large Tesco play doll type Sindys, but rather liked the second wave of their small Sindy doll range which featured side glance eyes, although of course they were child dolls, certainly not teens.

My daughter began collecting Sindy dolls in the mid 1980s as a child, and her particular favourites are the various ballet dolls and Masquerade. She also likes, as I do, Space Fantasy, but she collects most types of Sindys, and loves the Tonner range. (TLSM is proud to have been allowed to share Jenna Brewer’s article about the Tonner Sindy dolls, from Doll Showcase magazine, issue 68 in June 2021.)

Comparison between Pedigree and Robert Tonner Sindys
Robert Tonner Sindys.
Side glance small Sindy Tesco. (See Q 11, further up.)

This is a list of the Books on Dolls Susan has written:

British Dolls of the 1950s Pen & Sword

British Dolls of the 1960s Pen & Sword

Famous Character Dolls Pen & Sword

Tiny Tears and First Love Virtual Valley

The Fashionable World of Amanda Jane Dolls Virtual Valley

Cornish Shallowpool Dolls Virtual Valley

Delightful Dolls Volume One Virtual Valley

Delightful Dolls Volume Two (In preparation) Virtual Valley

Terrific Teen Dolls Volume One Virtual Valley

Terrific Teen Dolls Volume Two (In preparation) Virtual Valley

Collecting Classic Girls’ Toys Pen & Sword

Susan has also written books on a variety of subjects, including several novels:

Pudding Pokes, Flittermice and Bishy-Barney-Bees (Strange names our ancestors used for wildlife) Virtual Valley

Rummage Through the Photo Box (Childhood Autobiography) Virtual Valley

Classic Playground Games Pen & Sword

Collecting Autographs Pen & Sword

The History of Girls Comics Pen & Sword

FICTION

Boomer Girls: Ructions, Revelations and Romance in a 1960s Boutique Virtual Valley

Troubles For the Boomer Girls: Mayhem, Marriages and Mysteries in a 1960s Boutique Virtual Valley

Birds, Beasts and Ben (Humour) Virtual Valley

Fenland Annie (Historical) Virtual Valley

Tintagel Fantasy (Historical) Virtual Valley

Nelly’s Knickers (Humour) Virtual Valley

Nelly Makes A Bloomer (Humour) Virtual Valley

Mike’s Bike (Children’s) Ginn and Company

THANK YOU Sue, for your amazing work and for taking the time to answer all the questions!

April 2026