The Magic Nesting Doll

We gave this to our Russian-born 4-year-old daughter as a Santa present and she has wanted me to read it to her just about every day since (it's been six weeks). We enjoy it on so many levels. The illustrations are rich and boldly saturated, reminiscent of Russian folk art, and each time we read it we find new details in the pages. Several of the illustrations cross two pages and tell bits of the story themselves. The story reads like a classic folk tale, although it is a new story by the author. It flips the traditional boy-saves-princess narrative, with a (self reliant and brave) peasant girl who breaks the (evil) spell holding the Tsarevitch and his kingdom in a perpetual winter. She is aided by a magic nesting doll containing a peasant doll, a bear, a wolf, and a firebird, all of whom are kind and helpful. With its gentle tone and its good-triumphs-over-evil ethic (while not being too didactic), it is sure to hold her interest for many years.While this book is appealing simply as a beautiful children's book, we are particularly interested in how seamlessly it embeds elements of Russian culture, from the nesting doll to the animals to the prince's gold-domed castle. We do have adoption-themed children's books, but part of our approach to telling Anna her birth story is to teach her about her homeland, and The Magic Nesting Doll conveys historical Russia as a place of wild beauty, brave souls, and good magic. At four, our little one knows Russia only as a place with a name, but we anticipate that this text will help us introduce her country of birth to her as she grows up and is able to understand. For now, she loves the pictures, can recite the storyline by heart, and is asking for a firebird doll. We highly recommend this story.

This is the most exquisitely illustrated and delightfully magical book for children I have ever read. My daughter just gazes at the pictures, and she'll never let me read "just a few pages". We always have to read the entire book, and each and every time she is as enchanted as the first time we read it together. This is the kind of story I wish my mother could have read to me as a child. And I'm hoping someday I'll be able to read it to my grandchildren. I intend to keep this book forever. I cannot say enough about the beautiful illustrations...they are more exquisite than any real place on earth could ever be. As a result, they're sure to capture your child's heart and imagination. The facial expressions are haunting and I find myself wishing we could just leap into the page and spend a little time in this world. I am only wondering if Laurel Long has prints available? I would so love to hang one on my daughter's wall in her bedroom. Please read this book. It's just fabulous.

This book has some of the most beautiful illustrations that I have seen in a long time. The story was enjoyable and my child loves this book. I had no issues with the quality of the book when it arrived, it was in new mint condition and you could tell it had never been opened.

We were looking for a Christmas gift that would capture our four-year-old's imagination for all things "Princess," but add some depth and originality. This is the story of a Russian girl who is given magic nesting dolls that help her rescue a prince. The magic takes the form of powerful, frightening animals and the girl is brave and determined. The wedding at the end may be a bit cliche -- but this NOT a "revisionist" fairy tale in the sense of being cynical or anti-romantic. It is a simple and classic tale. it's romantic and fantastical but strikes the perfect note for little girls (and boys) who love animals and adventure.No descriptions can do these pictures justice. They are intricate and rich, with so much detail that each page almost tells a separate story of its own. The art seems to glow from within -- a perfect book to read aloud on a winter's night.

I don't have any children yet but I love collecting beautiful children's stories. If you are like me or you do have young ones this would be a great book to your collection! The story is wonderful and the artwork is downright stunning.

I collect nesting dolls, I have a special love for the Russian tales related to the dolls. I'm still looking for a particular book that is about Matraeska and a little girl that has an encounter with Baba Yaga. The doll is the hero in setting the girl free. This was the best story to share with young children.

My five year old is crazy for fairy tales and I love when I can get her one she hasn't heard before. I gave her The Magic Nesting Doll to her for Christmas along with a copy of The Snow Queen and this was her favorite by far. She loved the story about Katya and how she saved the frozen tsarevich. It was a good length for a bedtime story and she has spent lots of time just flipping through the book and looking at the illustrations on her own. We were both entirely entranced by the exquisite artwork and are now looking to pick up the other books that this author and illustrator have done together.

This was a gift. It went with a set of nesting dolls that the story was about. The book came from a library in New York City so it was really neat that it came from there. My friend loved this gift.

Nice book

very beautiful book, beautiful illustrations, recommend to the children.

A beautiful tender story. Gorgeous traditional style artwork. I'm excited for when my daughter is a bit older so we can read this story together.

This is an awesome edition. the illustrations are so beautiful. It is a truly beautiful book to have. A must have for any library.

Beautifully illustrated book. Lots of vibrant pictures and a very nice story.