Was not able to view ARC as intended as there were issues with the images. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.

I've always loved Russian Nesting Dolls and I think this is a great little story about one who shows us there's more to everyone's story. I really enjoyed reading it and the illustrations are bright and colorful.

Thank you to Netgalley & Catherine Flores, for my copy of Babushka, for a honest review. Wow such a wonderful, charming book The Babbushka, or Russian Nesting Doll, is a traditional toy. This story is based on the Babushka, wants to know about the world. So she sends her bodies out into the forest and the world to find the meaning of life. In this book the Babushka has five bodies and they all go out to different areas to report back. Not surprisingly, each one seems a bit lost and doesn’t seem to find to many answers at first. Each one of their stories is uniquely their own and each one comes back with different answers. It’s interesting to see how they all try to get back to each other to complete their Babushka. This is a beautifully illustrated book and is a children’s book, but has a message for all ages. I really enjoyed reading this with my son. This short book packed a lot of life’s lessons, without being overwhelming. I am glad I was able to read this and share it with my son. It was a four star read for my son and I. I have featured this on my Instagram page and shared my review on Barnes and Noble.

The was a great story that my daughter really enjoyed. The storyline is captivating and she learned a lot. The characters are endearing and she definitely will be picking up other stories by this author. I definitely recommend this book.

I truly enjoyed it! I think it did very well in incorporating Russian elements to the story, as well as delivering an inspirational message.

I would totally revisit this author's work in the near future!

What a pleasure to find! I have only found one other Russian Nesting Doll story, and that was maybe 20 years ago. considering their popularity ( I have a set of them with hockey players!), I am surprised no one has written stories to go along with themed dolls!. I even recently found a comic with one nesting doll shaking up the rest with her cell phone! So endless possibilities. Ms. Flores has come up with an original idea with each doll representing a part of the largest dolls personality, separated over the course of the story, they must find their way to reunite and become one once more. I think every age could enjoy this tale. Loved the illustrations and can't wait to see a hard copy of the book! It would make a fine addition to a nesting doll collection!

Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy of this book.

I will be reading this with my older elementary students and appreciate a picture book that is deep enough for older students, who move to chapter books so quickly.

A beautiful story and a fantastic message about the world we live in. The illustrations are a joy and really add to the overall effect. The main review is a blog post on my book blog, Margaret's Reading Shelf.

Thank you for giving me a chance to read this book beforehand.

This one interesting read. I thought it will be the original story of Russian's Babushka, but this one is invented by the author. And a good one, nevertheless.

Can be seen from many different angles, but for me, this is a story of unity. How much you can achieve as being one, having your own talent, wisdom, beauty and richness. Also the burden of society we sometimes overlooked. A worthwhile read.

#TheStoryOfBabushka #NetGalley
The Story of Babushka by Catherine Flores is a folktale that speaks to the heart of peoples across the world. It is a search for life's meaning and the desire we all have to live a life of value. There are a number of Russian tales telling of Babushka as a witch or as a grandmotherly figure. In this story , my favorite of all the tales, she is a Russian nesting doll. True to all nesting dolls upon opening and removing one layer you find another doll/person which is a little different than the one before it and the others after it. . In this story, our Babushka is made up of 5 layers or personalities. The outermost layer is Antonia. She is a sight of pure beauty and admired by everyone for her good looks. Next is Loretta, who is striking for the gold ornaments, glitter and jewels which cover her. The third layer is the person known as Paula. She is a dedicated and joyful worker known for her talents. Viola, the fourth doll, is famous for her wisdom, brilliant ideas and ability to find solutions. At the request of someone she has met and the the encouragement of Mary, the littlest of the dolls, who is filled with love, they each go out into the world in search of meaning for themselves and for others. What they all discover through their travels and with the help of Mary, the heart of them all, is a story you will want to read for yourself.

I really enjoyed this tale which was beautifully illustrated. I felt the pictures really brought the words to life. I think children in key stage 1 and lower key stage 2 would enjoy the story and there are lots of links with other areas of the curriculum.

Thank you for a copy, Netgalley!

This was…remarkable for a children’s book, in the best way, a true product of our times and full of valuable lessons. If you’d told me a kid’s book about nesting dolls would build a convincing platform for arguments against materialism, vanity, and worker exploitation, also finding time to advocate individualism, free thinking and unionization, I would never have believed you. And yet, here it is.

First, the visuals of this book. The art is gorgeous, the cover drew me in immediately with rich, contrasting color. In subsequent pages the full-page artwork and smaller in-text doodles are a nice contrast to the blocks of text, very vibrant and drawn in such a cute style – very much like sister dolls, in fact.

Now, for the substance. First, I knew nothing of the folklore of the matroshka doll, and it was charming to hear how, at least in this lore, each doll is their own unique identity, versus the wooden ones I played with as a kid where they were all matching, uniform dolls other than size. There’s a cute lesson in that the whole doll needs each of its parts to be an entire being – every part of you is important to your overall existence, and that was so heartwarming.

I was genuinely startled at the heavy ideas presented when each layer of the doll realizes the perils of the world on their own, but startled in a good way. The pretty one finds how little there is to a pretty face or façade when a situation arises where more action or conviction is needed. The rich doll finds that her money can help others, at the literal expense of leaving her friendless when it runs out. The skilled worker doll finds she is worked to the bone, her productivity all she is worth; and ends up starting a union for workers’ rights. This is phenomenal stuff, and yet perfect for a child to be learning in 2020.

I would certainly encourage any parent I know to read something like this to their child. It presents important moral and societal lessons wrapped up in the novelty of the nesting doll, an introduction to foreign culture for lots of children, especially important as everyone develops as global citizens. I thought this was just great.

I read and tweeted my review on my twitter channel. I gave it 5 stars. It was a very clever story with great themes about value.

This book was not exactly what I was expecting and unfortunately was a bit too complex for my toddlers. A great concept but I didn’t find it a hugely enjoyable read.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.

Disclaimer- the download on Netgalley for this did not work so I didn't give feedback but then the author reached out with a link where it was free for a limited amount of time so I managed to read it and I can give a review now!

This book is mainly aimed at children (you can definitely read it if you are older) and shows the story of the traditional Russian nesting/Matryoshka where each doll is their own person and has their own personality including strengths and flaws. It also shows how each doll/person copes within the bodies of each other and separately. The illustrations are both sweet and simple just like the story itself.

It is a small read (120 pages) which I feel is perfect for children, especially as each segment is split into small chapters which made it easier to read in small doses.

Rating
3⭐

Would I read it again:

No, but if I was babysitting or looking after a younger person than I would probably read it/with to them!

Would I recommend it:

Yes, to parents/children

This is an exquisite book,, with beautiful illustrations and messages, It is based on the traditional Russian nesting dolls but has a modern day lessons. The doll in the story has five bodies, each with their own unique talents and appearance. Each doll overcomes a challenge or experience an event before they join back together. The dolls are trying to find the meaning of life and this book certainly enables the reader to question life goals, aspirations and attitudes. Thank you Catherine Flores for this delicate, beautiful story.

This book was amazing! Full disclosure: I have always had a fascination with matryoshka dolls.

Babushka and her bodies are searching for the meaning of life, and they separate to chase their own dreams. Spoiler alert: they are more fulfilled when they are all together living harmoniously.

The graphics in this book were perfect, and accompanied the text perfectly. The text was definitely more of a story, with long paragraphs and engaging themes for adult and child alike.

I highly recommend this book for a heartwarming story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This is about a matryoshka set searching for the meaning of life. If you're familiar with these Russian stacking dolls, then you'd know there are usually five. So goes the same in the story, and each represents an attribute, such as beauty, wealth, talents, wisdom, and heart. The message is pretty straightforward but I won't spoil it and instead would highly recommend you immerse yourself into the story, because it's a fun, uplifting adventure and the art is adorable 🥺 If you have kids to read it to, then the better! I honestly think this is a fantastic book for any age because it reminds us of what truly matters - and that's... Well, secret! Hahaha have fun reading!

“ We can never be truly happy without the love that unites us together as one"

Babushka dolls are a source of fascination for children - I have two sets at home that my children and visitors to our house continue to play with and one of my earliest, most vivid memories of school, is exploring a set of Russian dolls that lived in my infant classroom.

The Story of Babushka is that of a very special Russian Matroyshka, or nesting doll and her five bodies, in search of the meaning of life.. Each of Babushka's bodies represents a different unique quality or characteristic that when fit together, make the Babushka doll ‘whole.’

Antonia is the outermost body of Babushka and represents her beautiful physical appearance.
Loretta is the body of riches and represents Babushka’s wealth.
Paula represents all Babushka's talents
Viola represents Babushka’s wisdom.
Mary, Babushka’s innermost body is the embodiment of love. She represents Babushka’s heart and inner voice.

Babushka's five bodies leave the safety and security of their forest home and go their separate ways, each in search of individual fulfillment and purpose in life. However, this comes with many challenges to overcome and there are lessons to be learned. Mary, the final doll left to embark on her journey realises they have made a big mistake. She recognises that the dolls can never be truly happy without each other, signifying that the individual traits that make up a person’s character are no good in isolation and must work together in harmony. Ultimately, it falls to Mary to mend Babushka’s broken heart by reuniting the dolls and make her complete again. As with all good Fables, Babushka reflects on the important lessons she has learnt.

Catherine Flores' Story of Babushka could be used as a perfect teaching text in the Personal, Social, Citizenship and Economic Education Curriculum for older primary school pupils. It teaches key messages, such as ‘money is not everything,’ ‘know your value’ and ‘appearances can be deceiving' which cleverly correspond to one of Babushka's bodies and in turn, the sections of the book. There are also some deeper, more complex ideas that are explored in the story, such as deception, work-life balance and exploitation which would need careful explanation from an adult. This is the beauty of this book; there are many layers of meaning that can be enjoyed and appreciated as appropriate to the reader’s level of understanding.

Ana Beatriz Marques' illustrations are simply beautiful and of a highly original style. Charming woodland creatures and delightful fireside scenes ensure that this book feels like authentic folklore, whilst industrial images give it a modern twist.

The Story of Babushka is a lovely reminder to both adults and children of the wonderful layers of unique qualities that are nested within all of us making us complete.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The story of Babushka is a beautiful story that all children should read or have it read to them at some point in their life.

Babushka contains a number of different bodies within her thus making her Babushka. Each body represents a different thing - beauty, love, knowledge, workmanship. Each body goes off into the world to make their own way but each body becomes unhappy and undervalued and underappreciated and used.

Babushka finds all the bodies and comes together as whole again and learns a great lesson in life - not to be blinded by beauty, wealth or ideas from others, to appreciate and love herself and not see materialistic items or money as a happy life.