The book contains many characters besides Miss Hickory. The most important of these are Squirrel, Crow, and Mr. T. Willard-Brown. Miss Hickory is a doll made of an apple-wood twig, and her head is a hickory nut, making her hardheaded in more ways than one.

Throughout the book she tries to become a nicer person, and sometimes nature works against her, and sometimes with her. For example, when spring comes, Miss Hickory's body becomes more supple as the sap begins to flow; her mind also becomes more flexible.

Miss Hickory's relationship with the other characters emphasizes the complexity of her character. She has an ambivalent relationship with Squirrel.

Though selfish, he is more likable than Miss Hickory. Because of his fondness for nuts and his irresponsibility in collecting a winter supply of them, he is a threat to the nut-headed doll. In one scene...