Five Sisters

by Stephanie Campisi, Mădălina Andronic (Illustrator)

When a great white oak gifts an old man a branch imbued with magic, he carves five wooden dolls “each smaller than the last.” The wooden dolls take on a life of their own as they frolic from one season to the next bringing the old man and his wife a joy they had always longed for.

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2020

About the author

Stephanie Campisi is an Australian-born children's book author living in the US. She has slept in a cemetery, has a friend who was bullied by a prince, and has lived in a haunted house in a haunted town. Two of the three statements in the previous sentence are true. Or maybe they all are.

Stephanie is the author of the picture books Luis and Tabitha, Very Lulu, Five Sisters and the forthcoming Quacks Like a Duck and Stacks of Axolotls.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The woods had grown up around them thoughtful and wise, but the family they desperately wanted had not.

A husband and wife couple spent their entire lives caring for their forest.

They desperately wished for a child but nothing they did make a difference.

One night, the husband - desperate - made a plea to the forest.

And he was granted a magic branch, from which he carved five beautiful, loving wooden girls.

Each one had her own personality and quirks, giving him and his wife a new life.

Overall, I thought this one was extremely cute. I loved the way the Russian nesting dolls were incorporated into this story.

And the husband and wife couple were so incredibly cute - the author conveyed so much emotion in so few words.

And the illustrations! I absolutely loved the illustrations. The coloring was gorgeous and the detail was fantastic. Truly a wonderful story!

With many thanks to Familius and June Smalls for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When autumn visited, dressed in red, they would play in the trees

I do this often.

I request children’s books for my daughter to read but I end up becoming just as engrossed in them as she does.

This is a short picture book about a fairy tale and I can’t really say much more about it without giving too much of the plot away since it’s not a very long book at all but I can say that it involves a wife, a husband, and five dolls.

There’s magic in the trees and they bring forth life. A very special one.

The illustrations in this are beautiful and so are the words.

The prose flows delicately and as you read it you can imagine the words spiraling around you like the finest of calligraphy.

Short read or not this is a book that sticks with you for awhile and the sublime artwork keeps you enchanted along the way.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for a copy of this ARC

[Dylan Teut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book and story, but the text is almost microscopic and white on pale backgrounds, making it almost impossible for me to read on some pages.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book with a fairy tale feeling. This is a fabulous volume that will be perfect for a child or fairy tale lover in your life. Wonderful.

[Hannah Carmona · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an ARC of this book at PLA.* Let me start by saying my children (ages 6 and 3) were absolutely entranced by this book. I think that's the true test as to whether a children's book is good or not. It's a beautifully quiet story and reads exactly like an old folklore. The words themselves create beautiful images, then paired with the illustrations it takes shape in a whole new dynamic. This story would be a great learning tool for students learning to craft folktales and a wonderful story to talk about the subject of empathy.

[Tracy Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, poetic picture book about a tree that helps the man who planted it fulfill his deepest dream: a real child. The book verges on scary and sad, but never fear, there is a happy ending. The illustrations are lush and rich. The concept and language reminded me of Laura Melmed's poetic classic, "Rainbabies."

[Carina Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has a few points we have seen in other stories before. A sort of folk tale, with magic and heartbreak and danger. It’s still beautifully written and the art is colourful and enthralling.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! Oh my, the art, the delightful storyline. It’s one that’s been read and reread, a visually stunning one. Love.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely perfect. It is beautifully written and feels like reading a sad, but very sweet fairytale; tying in love for family as well as respect for nature; that both children and adults will easily enjoy. Furthermore, author Stephanie Campisi has worked the concept of the Matryoshka doll (in particular longing for a family, nurturing, love, young and old) wonderfully into this magical tale. Amazing illustrations by Madalina Andronic that are so colourful, and thoughtfully compliment the changing seasons throughout the book. There is also silver foil accent, giving the book an extra special touch.

[Francis S. Poesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written and illustrated story that imitates a folk tale of old. I would have liked to have seen the five sisters developed more. The story has at least as much potential as Randall Jarrell's The Animal Family and it seems that much is missing with it being limited to the picture book format. That said, the lyrical writing and stylized illustration make this a joy to read and share.

[Jessica Speer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book combines beautiful writing with stunning illustrations to create a magical folktale. Nesting dolls, a magic forest, and dreams fulfilled make this an enchanting tale.

[Carla Manly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous, inviting tale! From the compelling storytelling to the rich illustrations, Five Sisters is a true treasure to cherish! Stunningly beautiful!

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Illustrations were interesting but I did not like the story

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truly beautiful, highly stylized illustration is coupled with graceful prose and a somewhat shallow and disjointed plot which bites far less deeply than its subject matter invites.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss. I also received an ARC at an ALA conference.

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five Sisters, written by Stephanie Campisi and illustrated by Romanian artist Madalina Andronic, is an atmospheric picture book, rich with folktale inspiration and an old-world, classical feel. As the story settles in, readers learn that an old couple "with kindly trowels" has been tending to the woods where they live for many, many years: "tend[ing] the pines" and "coax[ing] the great oaks from beneath acorn caps". Something, however, is amiss with the couple: the old man wishes to make his and his wife's dream of having a child- a family- somehow finally come true...One day, by the magic of a magnificent oak tree the old man has tended to, the couple are gifted a miraculous branch, out of which the old man carves a set of five nesting dolls that come to life! Not all is immediately happily-ever-after, however, and a sudden and wrenching shadow takes the joy and light away from the old man and his wife. Campisi, maintaining a wonderfully poetic, otherworldly and elegant style of narrative throughout, steers the tale away from bleakness and sadness to a more joyful, earned ending, leaving readers with a sense of contentment...and of wonder at the magic and unfamiliarity of the world they have just visited. Andronic's illustrations are stunning: lush with rich and unmissable colours (the matryoshka dolls are especially vibrant and joyful); and distinctly traditional (perhaps classically European?) in aesthetic and appeal. Readers who enjoy classic fairytales and folktales, as well as contemporary retellings, or storytellers such as Jan Brett, Jerry Pinkney or Jane Yolen may especially appreciate the parable of Five Sisters. For those who love exploring and poring over the work of creators such as Júlia Sardà, Pamela Zagarenski, or Suzy Ultman, or Lisbeth Zwerger and Arthur Rackman, diving in Andronic's work may be a special treat, with Campisi's tender and lilting tale of lore bringing you back for multiple reads.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

An old man who cares for the forest receives a special branch from a tree which he uses to carve a set of dolls for his wife. The dolls hear her stories and play in the sunshine and make the couple happy, but when winter arrives, a wolf attacks the dolls and the man tries to save them by placing them back in the tree they came from.

Reviewed from a Galley copy, so I hope the actual book's text is easier to read - small font in white on a light background. Even so, the story was odd - childless couple treat a set of dolls like children? A wolf shadow that devours their house? Even after a couple of readings, I wasn't sure what happened. The illustrations, by a Romanian artist, give the dolls a matryoshka look, and the story a folklore feel.

Cross posted to https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Gladimore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmmmmm not really sure what just happened. There is spring and there are dolls. There is a man and a woman. There is a wolf and a forest. What is happening with this man and the tree?
Wonderful illustrations! Just gorgeous and colorful!
#Edelweiss