Blog tour: Babushka

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Welcome to the blog tour for The Story of Babushka by Catherine Flores.

Synopsis: Babushka wants to find out the meaning of life so she sends her bodies out of the forest and into the world to search for answers. But there is a hurdle to overcome, before all the bodies can reunite and return to the forest forever. 

The babushka doll, also known as a matryoshka or Russian nesting doll, is a traditional Russian toy first made over 100 years ago. The doll has come to symbolise Russian folk culture, as well as the complex and beautiful layers of women. 

Babushka dolls are made of wood and painted in bright colours and patterns. Each Babushka is made in a set of many round dolls each a little smaller than the last. They separate at the middle so that each doll can be placed inside the one before it. There are some Babushka dolls with as many as fifty dolls nested inside her.

This is the story of one very special doll with five bodies that together make the Babushka.

How did this book end up in my hands? I like to think that this book and I were destined to meet as I was offered the generous opportunity to review it both by the author herself and by Love Books Tours. If that wasn’t meant to be, I don’t know what is!

Did the book meet my expectations? I have been wowed by this book. So, yes, it has definitely met my expectations. Apart from looking stunning, The Story of Babushka is one of those tales that are rich in meaning and yet so delicately presented. I literally can’t wait to share this with my daughter when she is old enough to talk about feelings and ideas. Not that her young age prevented me from reading it to her now! I would – and let’s be honest, I probably will – encourage every parent to buy this book for their family.

Three words to describe it. Delicate. Inspiring. Educational.

Do I like the cover? This book is gorgeous inside and outside. Ana Beatriz Marques is a talented artist and her illustrations perfectly complement the author’s words and bring the story of Babushka to life.

Have I read any other books by the same author? The Story of Babushka is Catherine Flores’s first book for children and – hopefully – not her last.

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