Sasha's Matrioshka Dolls

by Jana Dillon

A sweet confection about the first nesting dolls In old Moscow live a girl named Sasha and her grandfather, a boxmaker. One day Sasha's rag doll is eaten by mice. Her loving grandfather sets out to make her a doll that is impervious to mice, rats, cats, and even the Tsar's cavalry. What can it be but seven carved wooden dolls nestled together to form one thumbling doll the first matrioshka, or "little mother." How Sasha's grandfather comes to make...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374373876
• ISBN13: 9780374373870
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.9" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Gorgeously illustrated, delightful tale

After Sasha's rag doll is destroyed by mice, her boxmaker grandfather carves a tiny thumbling doll out of wood and a box to keep it safe. That box is the same shape as the thumbling, and Sasha thinks of it as a doll. Grandfather and Sasha work together. He carves the wood pieces, then she elaborately paints them to look like little mothers. (Matrioshka is the Russian word for "little mother.") Mice take off with the first doll and box, so the new toy makers create a third protective doll-shaped box, which will be too large and heavy for the mice to steal. The next day they learn that the three-doll set isn't too big for rats though, and a fourth box is made. Much to her delight, this pattern of mishaps continues until Sasha has a lovely set of seven dolls that are too big and heavy to be knocked over by any animal. The symbiotic relationship between Sasha and her grandfather is warmly demonstrated throughout the story. Sasha needs Grandfather Boxer to provide her with dolls. Grandfather Boxer needs Sasha and her dolls to attract new customers to his shop. The two enjoy each other's company, sometimes teasing and giggling as they creatively work out new solutions. No matter what happens, they always end the day smiling.At one point, Grandfather mentions that the dolls look like Sasha's mother and grandmother, both of whom she has lost. Whether this is a positive, a negative, or a non-issue will vary with each child. However, I've noted this in case anyone is looking to buy this book for a child who has recently experienced a death in the family.The lavish illustrations are brightly colored and richly detailed, yet never overwhelming. There's more than enough color and activity on each page to ensure that even inattentive little ones will keep their eyes focused on the book. While older children may want to read this themselves, this is a great book to read to toddlers as well.The author's note briefly explains of the history of Russian nesting dolls. The dolls in this book were modeled after those crafted by Polkholvsky Maidan artisans.Could this delightful tale have any factual basis? Perhaps the first nesting doll was created simply as a doll box. Perhaps not. Nevertheless, pondering the origin of the first matrioshka may be an interesting venture for children who love them. This story is a must-have for fans of Russian fairy tales, doll enthusiasts, and children everywhere.