Babushka's Doll

by Patricia Polacco

Natasha isn't really a bad girl. It's just that she wants to play on the swing now, not after the wash has been hung up to dry. And she wants her soup now, not after the goats have been fed. Looking after Natasha keeps Babushka, Natasha's grandmother, very busy.
Then, after lunch, Natasha notices a doll sitting on Babushka's shelf...a doll Babushka tells Natasha she played with just once when she was a little girl. When Natasha plays with the doll while Babushka goes to the store for groceries, she discovers why once is enough with Babushka's doll...and finds out just how tiring it can be to take care of a child who wants everything now.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Family, Russia, Cultural

40 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1990

About the author

Patricia Polacco is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator with around seventy beloved and award-winning books to her credit, including The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, The Blessing Cup, Chicken Sunday, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. She resides in Michigan.

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, light story about karma. Polacco's whimsical illustrations continue to show rich detail. Great book for a read-aloud!

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately, I have taken interest in Patricia Polacco’s books and I have recently stumbled upon a new book by her called “Babushka’s Doll.” “Babushka’s Doll” is a Russian tale by Patricia Polacco and it is about how a naughty girl named Natasha learns the hard way about what it truly means to be impatient after her grandmother, Babushka leaves her doll with Natasha and the doll comes alive and starts bossing Natasha around! “Babushka’s Doll” is definitely one of the most creative and surprising books ever created that children will definitely get into!

Oh my! Patricia Polacco certainly knows how to bring about a lesson in life in an extremely interesting way! Patricia Polacco has done an excellent job at both illustrating and writing this book about the importance of being patient with other people (especially when the other person has to do work!) I love the way that Patricia Polacco writes this story in an extremely creative way as she takes a cautionary tale about the importance of being patient and turns it into a fairy tale inspired tale that involves a doll coming to life and teaching an impatient girl a lesson she will never forget and I just loved the surreal approach about a doll coming to life since it made this story extremely interesting to read, especially since I imagined that Babushka’s doll would make anyone who has possession of it just go crazy (the doll definitely drove me crazy because it whined so much!) I also love the way that Patricia Polacco teaches children about the importance of being patient and I think that many children will relate to Natasha’s woes in dealing with an extremely impatient doll as impatient children will see that dealing with another person who is much more impatient than that child can open their eyes to the importance of being patient. Another aspect of the story that I really enjoyed in this book are the illustrations by Patricia Polacco herself! The illustrations are just to die for as they beautiful and realistic, especially of the image of Babushka herself as her face portrays many wrinkles, but it also details how wise she is as she seems to secretly know about the doll’s motives before she gives it to Natasha. The image of Natasha on the other hand, is that she is shown as a young girl with brown hair that is wrapped up in a bun attached to a large white ribbon and she is seen wearing a red rose dotted blue dress and to top it all off, she has a scowl on her face which makes her look like a child who is used to getting everything she wants!

Overall, “Babushka’s Doll” is truly a great tale for children who enjoy reading Russian tales and who want to learn about the consequences of being impatient in the form of a doll! This book is definitely one of Patricia Polacco’s finest works in tales that have a folkloric theme! I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate in this book, unless children might get annoyed at Babushka’s doll!

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I loved the illustrations. The colors and patterns and details are so eye-catching and appealing.

The story is only a moral. What?: To be less selfish, considerate of others, and not to be too demanding of the poor beleaguered adults? It was too heavy handed for my taste. Maybe little girls will like the idea of a doll coming to life but I’m not sure they will in this case.

4 stars for the illustrations, 2 stars for the story. and that’s being a bit generous.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl learns her lesson from an unlikely source--her Babushka's doll! Polacco's signature artwork accompanies a timeless tale of getting a taste of one's own medicine. A wonderful way to gently show children the effect of their pushiness. I would certainly use this with younger grade levels.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this was a surprise! I don't think I've ever encountered a Patricia Polacco title with such an overtly didactic purpose before, and I've now read thirty-five of her books! The story of an impatient little girl named Natasha, who never understood why her Babushka couldn't drop everything, and do just what she (Natasha) wanted her to, Babushka's Doll is a picture-book exploration of the theme of getting a taste of one's own medicine, as Natasha becomes the beleaguered one, when her grandmother's unusual doll comes to life.

I had mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, I think young readers might enjoy the madcap sense of humor in Natash'a adventures, as she chases after Babushka's doll. On the other hand, while I do approve of the message - that sometimes we can't have what we want right away, and that it isn't very considerate to make a pest of ourselves - somehow the very presence of a "moral" in a Polacco book was jarring to me.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natasha is a very demanding child. Babushka (Natasha's grandmother) is working very hard on the farm and in the house but Natasha won't let up---she keeps asking for attention and demands to be played with and fed right away. After lunch, Natasha notices Babushka's doll on the shelf. Babushka must run an errand so Natasha has the entire afternoon to play with the special doll...only the doll isn't anything like Natasha expected.

I enjoyed this story as a parent but I'm not too sure if children would be very receptive to the lesson of this story. Polacco's writing and illustrations are superb. I love the homey feel of the illustrations and the dresses of both Natasha and Babushka are beautiful.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a different kind of story by Patricia Polacco. It's more of a folktale than the typical historical fiction/non-fiction stories we've read by her. The message is a strong one, but a good moral lesson for children (especially whiny, impatient ones) to learn.

We enjoyed reading this story aloud together, but I must admit the idea of a doll coming to life is just too creepy for me - I think it's just my childhood memories of watching scary movies like Poltergeist and Chucky coming back to haunt me.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impatient, bratty and impulsive Natasha notices a doll high up on the shelf in her grandmother's house. Asking to play with the doll, her grandmother mentions that she only ever played with this item once.

After leaving the house, leaving Natasha with the doll, a great lesson is learned. The doll, a mirror image of behavior of Natasha demands rudely to hurry, hurry, hurry to flit from one thing to another. When Natasha is tired from the demands, she places the doll back on the shelf.

Increasingly, I find joy in the books of this author. The illustrations, the stories, and the importance of role models create wonderful reading.

[Kappy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this every year to my classes. It helps with taking turns and waiting for others. A whining girl gets a taste of her own medicine.

[Rachel Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Babushka's Doll" by Patricia Polacco tells the story of a little girl and her grandmother. In the book, Natasha is a little girl who is extremely demanding of her grandmother. She constantly asks her grandmother to drop everything to entertain her and is unhappy that her grandmother's work keeps her from catering to her every whim. As the story progresses, Natasha notices a doll on her grandmother's shelf and asks if she can hold it just for a little while. Her grandmother decides she may play with the little doll while she is away at the grocery store and Natasha is delighted that Babushka finally granted her request. To Natasha's surprise, however, the little doll comes to life while her grandmother is away and demands that Natasha plays with her. The doll whines and complains and in the end, Natasha cries to her grandmother and claims that the little doll was "very naughty." Babushka tells her granddaughter that she must have had a bad dream and tell Natasha that she can play with the doll whenever she wants. Just as her grandmother had intended, Natasha refuses her offer and says that "once is enough." In the end, Babushka puts the doll back on the shelf and the two exchange a wink.

This book is extremely enjoyable to read and is not only entertaining but it also communicates a good message to its readers. The story illustrates an underlying lesson in which it shows that whining and complaining is not a good way to act. By using the personified doll to reflect Natasha's poor behavior, readers are able to recognize that Natasha's behavior was poor and that she needs to act nicer towards her grandmother.

In addition to communicating a good moral lesson, this book is also filled with charming illustrations. I love the way Patricia Polacco captures the character's emotions and especially loved looking at their faces. I also enjoy the vibrant colors she uses and found the repetitious rose patterns to be quite delightful. Patricia Polacco is a wonderful children's author and she certainly doesn't disappoint with this lovely picture book.

[Andrea Thomas, Greenville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! What a great story to use to teach children a lesson about being patient. This story requires the reader to have to infer why the grandmother only played with the doll only once. This book would also work well with a unit on families.

[Kelley Hazen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first graders at Los Angeles Leadership Academy loved this book.

[Jenny Hartfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 7yo: It was a good lesson because it teaches us that you need to not be whining and ordering the person in charge of you. You need to be patient. It teaches you a lesson not to be wanting everything right now. It was a very nice story.

The Mama: I wasn't quite sure where this story was going at the beginning, but it turned out to be a lovely tale of a grandmother teaching her granddaughter an excellent lesson without using a single word. (And she models patience with a rather rude child at the beginning.)

#passportaroundtheworld #asia #russia

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is about a book by one of my favorite children's authors Patricia Polacco. She has brought us such books as Thank you, Mr. Falker and The Keeping Quilt. Ms. Polacco often writes about her life growing up in an immigrant family. Her family was Eastern European so many of the stories discuss their culture and traditions. For example, one of her books Rechenka's Eggs talks about Ukrainian egg painting.

Anyway, the book that I will discuss here is called Babushka's Doll. Now first I should tell you that babushka means grandmother. So this story is about a doll that a grandmother gives her granddaughter to play with. However, if i left it there I would be doing this book a disservice. Many of Ms. Polacco's books have messages, or moral lessons within the stories and this one is now different. The girl in this story, Natasha, is constantly asking and ordering her grandmother to do things. For instance, her grandmother is washing and then hanging the laundry and Natasha keeps coming tell her grandmother to push her on the swings. In a way, Natasha is very selfish in the beginning of the story. While eating lunch Natasha notices a doll in her grandmother's house that her grandmother has only every played with once. Her grandmother allows her to play with the doll and then her grandmother leaves to buy groceries. It is at this moment that the story changes. I will not give to much away but Natasha quickly learns what her grandmother was feeling.

This book is great to teach children about patience, manners, and how not to be selfish. However, although this is a picture book children under the age of 9 may become a little frightened. The illustrations are not scary in fact Ms. Polacco is the illustrator; and she draws all her books similarly. The story itself about a magical doll maybe be what is a little frightening. I love this book though; and it is one of my favorite by the author.

[Amanda Walz · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great story about patience.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Babushca’s Doll by Particia Polacco
One of Two books that are about a culture different than mine
Recommended for grades 3-4
“Babushca’s Doll”, is a Russian story about a demanding grand daughter and how her Babushka (grandmother) used a doll to make her realize that these demands were too much. At the beginning of the story the grand daughter was demanding the grandmother to swing with her, pusher her in a cart and many other things. The grandmother had work to do, but the grand daughter did not under stand why her Babushka wouldn’t play with her. Then the grandmother had to run to town and she gave a very special doll to the grand daughter to play with. The doll sprang to life and was as, if not more demanding than the grand daughter. I gave this book a 5 because it teaches the lesson of patience and treating people with respect.
I think that the art work in this book, did a great job of depickting the grand daughter as a bratty little girl in the beginning of the book. It seemed to me that the art work at the beginning of the book was very thick and blotted. I think that this technique showed thick skull and bad attitude of the grand daughter. After the doll came to life and the grand daughter leaned her valuable lesson the art work seems to lighted up and the colors are not so thick and seem to be brighter.
I would use this book for a work cultures lesson to teach that other cultures have different beliefs and rituals. In Russian folk lore dolls have special powers and are used to teach children important life lessons

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Babushka's Doll is a sweet story about a little girl Natasha, and her Russian grandmother. As her Babushka does laundry, feeds goats and takes care of the house, Natasha is constantly pestering her to do this and that, with little regard for her grandmother's work load. When Natasha suddenly sees a doll on her grandmother's shelf, Babushka sees a chance to teach Natasha about work. The minute her Babushka is gone, Natasha's new friend comes to life and demands that she do all the chores that her grandmother did earlier. By the end of her adventure with Babushka's doll, Natasha has learned her lesson and never again takes her loving and tender grandmother for granted.
I really loved reading this book because it was engaging and the plot went a completely different way than I expected it to. As you read, you have no inclination that anything mysterious or magical is going to happen, so readers experience the same sense of wonder that Natasha does when the doll comes to life and begins to play. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and extremely detailed; it would be a wonderful, interesting read aloud!

[Jessica Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Babushka's Doll tells the story of a young, impatient girl who always wants her Babushka to do what she wants right at that moment. However, Babushka lets the young girl play with her old doll while she goes to the store and the doll comes to life. She is even more impatient and whiny than the young girl, which ultimately teaches the girl to stop acting like that. The message is very didactic and obvious, but I feel that young children will pay more attention to the humorous story of the doll coming to life. It is still a lighthearted, humorous story that ends with the doll winking at Babushka since she set up the whole scheme. The illustrations are bright and colorful, but they also have a traditional feeling to them that fits the folktale mood of the story. I would recommend this book for children ages 5-9 and it could be used to teach students about diverse cultures, such as the Russian culture that Babushka is from.

[Alycia Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about a grandmother who had a granddaughter who kept nagging and nagging her to do what she wanted. The granddaughter saw her grandmother’s doll on a high shelf and asked to play with her. The grandmother said she could. However, it did not take long for the granddaughter to not want to play with her ever again, as the doll was treating her like she was treating her grandmother. The granddaughter turned out to be a great person. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It was very enjoyable to read aloud, as well. I feel like this would be a great book to read to any age of elementary school students, because it in a way shows that people need to treat others how they want to be treated.

[Adams Eagles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Armando.A
10

Review
There was a girl named Natasha and she went to her grandmas called Babuska.Later that day Natasha gets bored playing by herself. Babuska made soup and Natasha ate it all when she was done she saw a doll and asked can she play with that doll and said yes so when Babuska was done Natasha played with the but suddenly the doll came alive you won't believe what happened next.
I like the part when she starts to feel like Babuska and notices the feeling of Babuska. I don't like the part when she cries cause that makes me sad.
I will recommend this story and tells you how your mom feels everyday and how you would feel if you were your mom.I can relate because I have to take care of my sisters.

[Kara Stark]

Babushka's Doll is a wonderful story of a girl named Natasha. Natasha is very demanding and asks her grandmother for everything. She wants her grandmother to play with her all the time. Natasha notices a doll and asks her grandmother to play with it. To Natasha's surprise, the doll comes to life and begins acting just as demanding as Natasha. Natasha realizes the doll isn't a very good doll and doesn't want to play with her anymore. Children will love watching the doll come to life and the lessons that Natasha learns while taking care of it. This story captures the character's emotions with her beautiful illustrations.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing.

This would make a great addition to any collection.

The story is sweet and the illustrations are lovely.
✨✨✨✨✨

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books tells the story of what happens when little girls act a little less than pleasant. When the young girl refuses to listen to her babushka, she finds out the hard way that listening is the easier path. Babushkas little doll comes to life and proves to be twice the handful the little girl was already being. Making her see that being a little monster is not right, the doll goes back to being a doll and the little girl learns how it's okay to act. Babushkas seems very attached to this doll, maybe she knew when her rand daughter needed a lesson?

[Breanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for younger children who need to learn to be patient. It is difficult for children to understand that there are other things that have to be done before you can play around. Babushka (grandmother) let Natasha play with her doll, that she herself only played with once, while she was at the store. In doing so it gives Natasha a first hand idea of how you can't always do everything at once, and to consider others feelings at that moment. The illustrations make your eyes move all over the page; also the objects fall off the page making you want to continue reading.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a doll story. Surprise, the impatient granddaghter Natasha learns her lesson when Babushka allows her to play with her doll. Strange that Babushka says she has only played with the doll once in her lifetime. Laugh out loud one afternoon with this doll is enough. A fun "teaching" story and Polacco's illustrations of the aged Babushja are endearing, charming, and so realistic of an aged woman with great warmth.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous story about a girl that learns how it feels to be bossed around and have someone who is impatient for everything. I use this book a lot for writing workshop. I mainly use it for dialogue lessons and the power of dialogue in a story, but it is also a great book to use to teach character traits and show, don't tell. My Polacco library is always a go to when I need to teach a mini lesson in writing.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natasha wants Babushka (grandma in Russian) to push her on the swing, pull her in the goat cart, and feed her lunch. Babushka has other chores that need to be done first. Babushka begins to make lunch after her chores are finished and Natasha sees a doll that she wants to play with. The doll acts just like Natasha and she learns that it is important to think of other people's wants and needs first.

[Miss Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

GR Level: P

Elementary: E POL

Natasha wants Babushka (grandma in Russian) to push her on the swing, pull her in the goat cart, and feed her lunch. Babushka has other chores that need to be done first. Babushka begins to make lunch after her chores are finished and Natasha sees a doll that she wants to play with. The doll acts just like Natasha and she learns that it is important to think of other people's wants and needs first.

[Katherine Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations of this children's book are consistent will all of Patricia Polacco's work, and it is wonderful. In the first few pages I was astonished at the main character's attitude towards her grandmother. As the story continued the plot turned and there was a major role reversal that I loved, and I'm sure many students would as well. I love how the author includes the name Babushka, meaning grandma, in the title. This adds much more depth and culture to the story.

[Lauren McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are very eye-catching! The colors and patterns are very appealing! The story teaches children a moral lesson about being selfish. The doll comes to life and makes the little girl realize she is not treating her grandma with the respect she deserves. The doll bosses her around and imitates the behaviors Natasha displays. The story is humorous as well!