Sasha's Matrioshka Dolls
Kindergarten-Grade 3-Sasha and her grandfather live in a shop in old Moscow where he carves boxes to sell and she decorates them. When mice destroy her rag doll, Grandfather Boxer whittles a little wooden figure and then makes a box of the same shape in which to store it. Sasha paints them both to look like matrioshkas, or little mothers. Before long, the rodents carry off the new toys, and Grandfather must reach into the mouse hole to rescue them. He makes a bigger doll but that one is also stolen, this time by a rat. Events continue in this way until grandfather and granddaughter have created seven exquisite nesting dolls. Suddenly, all of the villagers want a set of these figures, bringing prosperity and happiness to the shop. An author's note provides information about the origins of Russian nesting dolls. Lattimore's detailed illustrations keep the action moving along with colorful patterned borders, textiles, and backgrounds. She bases Sasha's matrioshkas on those created by artisans in a village south of Moscow. Children who are unfamiliar with this art form will be charmed by the idea, while collectors can place this book alongside Corinne Demas Bliss's The Littlest Matryoshka (Hyperion, l999), a similar story of loss and recovery.Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.