Babushka's Doll

by Patricia Polacco Narrated by Barbara Caruso

Overview

When Babushka was a girl, she had a special doll that she played with only once. Now it's her granddaughter's turn to learn a valuable lesson about consideration for others. Young readers will be delighted with this highly-acclaimed author's original variation on a theme: the childhood fantasy of toys coming to life. Barbara Caruso's lively narration will charm not only young children, but aging ones as well.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Little Natasha can't leave her Babushka--Russian grandmother--alone: while Babushka methodically attempts to finish her laundry and livestock-feeding, the impatient girl always has another, more urgent agenda. When Babushka goes out, she presents her granddaughter with her own doll from her childhood. Tasha discovers the meaning of peskiness when the doll comes to life and makes her jump through hoops, entertaining her every minute. By the time Babushka returns from her shopping expedition, Tasha is exhausted from her afternoon with a most demanding playmate. Polacco's ( Thunder Cake ; The Keeping Quilt ) pencil illustrations are vibrant with the addition of marker colors and paint, from the large-featured grandmother to the straggly-haired Tasha to the expressive collection of barnyard goats. Many overeager youngsters may well identify with this engaging, well - told tale. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-- When Natasha wants something, she wants it now --not after her grandmother, Babushka, has finished her chores. Babushka gets tired of this attitude, and finally goes off to the market, leaving Natasha to play with a special doll that she keeps on a high shelf. The doll comes to life and subjects Natasha to the same sort of insistent whining that Natasha used on Babushka. The girl learns her lesson and turns out ``to be quite nice after all.'' This pedantic story is made more acceptable by Polacco's beautiful illustrations. Her expressive, Old World figures, bright colors, and charming details of a house and farm in Russia will delight readers, even if predictability makes the story less enticing than the pictures. --JoAnn Rees, Sunnyvale Public Library, CA

FEB 98 - AudioFile

When Natasha finds her grandmother’s doll on the shelf, she yearns to play with it. The old woman’s consent and departure on an errand set the stage for a magical, terrifying lesson for the child. Caruso delivers a sterling performance of Polacco’s cautionary story. Her extraordinary abilities with voicing capture even the nasty doll while her clarity ensures that every innuendo of Natasha’s experience can be appreciated. This will enchant all ages. S.B.S. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170758654
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	05/25/2012
Edition description:	Unabridged

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