Babushka's Doll (1990)

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. ( )

Babushka's Doll showcases the day a young girl goes through with a doll. Natasha is sometimes rude to her Grandmother constantly asking her to do things for her and to drop everything she is doing to play with her. Her Grandmother than lets her play with a doll while she is out. The doll comes to life and in return becomes demanding and rude to Natasha making her cry. It's as if she is getting a taste of her own medicine. This story is a great eye opener for children to teach them about their own behavior. In the end you treat others the way you would like to be treated. ( )

Natash is a spoiled brat. Her grandmother is tired and leaves her home with a special doll. The doll comes to life and gives Natasha a taste of her own medicine. She becomes nice after learning a lesson. Grades K - 3. ( )

Age: Primary/Intermediate
Genre: Fantasy
Review: Though most of this book is realistic, with a young girl living with her Russian grandmother and wanting to play and all, dolls do not come to life, which makes this book a fantasy.
Media: Water color

A doll teaches a young girl a lesson about love, caring, looking beyond one's own needs.