The Russian folktale about an old woman's endless search for the Christ child.
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Feb 25, 2009
Abigail
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A Christmas folktale from Russia, Baboushka and the Three Kings tells the story of an old woman who, when the the Three Kings stop at her humble cottage on their way to visit the Christ child, chooses not to accompany them on their journey. Regretting this decision almost instantly, Baboushka sets out to follow them the next day, only to find that she cannot overtake them, nor find the child...
I understand that Baboushka is something of a Santa Claus figure in traditional Russian cul More...
I understand that Baboushka is something of a Santa Claus figure in traditional Russian cul More...
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Aug 15, 2010
Ronyell
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“Baboushka and the Three Kings” is a Caldecott Medal award winning book written by Ruth Robbins along with illustrations by Nicolas Sidjakov and it is about how an old woman named Baboushka meets up with the three kings who asked her if she would accompanied them to witness the birth of Jesus. “Baboushka and the Three Kings” is a truly emotional story about hope but it might be a tad bit too sad for smaller children to handle.
Ruth Robbins has created a truly emotional story about th More...
Ruth Robbins has created a truly emotional story about th More...
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Nov 25, 2011
Chinook
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1960: Baboushka and the Three Kings by Ruth Robbins (Houghton Mifflin Company)
Caldecott Medal Winner
Traditional Literature/Early Childhood
In this adaptation of A Russian folktale, Baboushka is alone in her tiny hut when a procession of three richly dressed men and their servants arrive. The men tell Baboushka they have been following a star in search of a Child and they invite her to join them. Baboushka declines their invitation, saying she has chores to finish. She soon re More...
Caldecott Medal Winner
Traditional Literature/Early Childhood
In this adaptation of A Russian folktale, Baboushka is alone in her tiny hut when a procession of three richly dressed men and their servants arrive. The men tell Baboushka they have been following a star in search of a Child and they invite her to join them. Baboushka declines their invitation, saying she has chores to finish. She soon re More...
Apr 20, 2010
Josiah
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The artwork that decorates this Russian folk tale is quiet and humble, but certainly beautiful in its own way. Baboushka, the old woman who unwittingly turned down the opportunity to witness the Christ child firsthand, roams the country on every Christmas Eve night in her continual search for the miracle that she did not see, but her forever journey is not a sad thing. Baboushka visits the children that she meets on her way and gives them the simple gifts that she has planned to present to the
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Sep 09, 2011
Heather
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1961 Caldecott Medal Winner
Ink and some sort of color illustrations in this book--I wasn't very impressed with them. Maybe I would have been more so if I'd had experience with the folk art that they imitate.
The three kings cruise by Baboushka's house on their way to see the Christ child, but she is too busy to come with them, so she passes up the chance. Later, when she decides that she wants to go, it's too late and she spends the rest of history wandering from place t More...
Ink and some sort of color illustrations in this book--I wasn't very impressed with them. Maybe I would have been more so if I'd had experience with the folk art that they imitate.
The three kings cruise by Baboushka's house on their way to see the Christ child, but she is too busy to come with them, so she passes up the chance. Later, when she decides that she wants to go, it's too late and she spends the rest of history wandering from place t More...
Dec 31, 2008
C
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I like this Russian folk tale which is a retelling of the story of the Wise Men. It has Santa Claus elements as well. It has cool illustrations, and the story is thoughtful and contemplative. It is very haunting, with a frightening (to adults, not scary monsters or anything that would scare children) element of regret for opportunities not taken. I like stories like this that retell sacred stories/central myths and make them our own (in this case, the original story tellers having made the three
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Sep 24, 2011
Elizabeth S
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Ultimately a sad story. The good part about it was learning about a Russian folk tale and tradition. I would have appreciated more background for the story. The book seems to be aimed at people who already know the Russian traditions. Also, us adults can recognize that the story connects with the Christmas story. But even though my preschooler knows all about the 3 Wise Men, she didn't connect that with the 3 Kings of the story. So she totally missed the point. The pictures weren't very s
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Sep 21, 2011
Abby
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The illustrations in this book were roughly rendered and a little cubistic. They made me uncomfortable. The story isn't bad (I understand it's a classic, like the stories of the Little Drummer Boy or St Francis), but I also didn't think it was very interesting, and it is very unsatisfying, as it has no conclusion.
I did like that the song lyrics and music were included at the end. I think I liked the text of the song better than I liked the text of the book itself. This story has the potenti More...
I did like that the song lyrics and music were included at the end. I think I liked the text of the song better than I liked the text of the book itself. This story has the potenti More...
Jun 24, 2009
Sam
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I loved this story. A woman - a woman with a real life and real responsibilities and real fears - comes, in her own time, to the revelation of celebrating the birth of a child she knows nothing of.
The illustrations do not touch my heart, but I like them much better than the standard ones. They are, as another reviewer noted, novel. It may be only four colors, but they are applied as if to parchment paper. I feel like I ought to be hanging them in the window.
Added benefit is More...
The illustrations do not touch my heart, but I like them much better than the standard ones. They are, as another reviewer noted, novel. It may be only four colors, but they are applied as if to parchment paper. I feel like I ought to be hanging them in the window.
Added benefit is More...
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Jul 07, 2010
Rhapsody
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Nice little children's book about Baboushka, the old woman who was invited to accompany the 3 kings to see The Child but couldn't because her work wasn't finished. In the morning she tried to follow them but couldn't find the way. Apparently in Russia she's sort of like Santa Claus, a legendary character that wanders around giving children presents. It actually seemed like a pretty tragic story to me.
Jan 29, 2012
Lisa
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The story of Baboushka, and old woman who helps the three kings on their way to find the Christ child. Too late, she decides to join them, but because they have already left, she tries to follow, going from place to place seeking the child. As she visits different home and lands, she leaves a small gift for the children of the home, which is how one of their Christmas legends began.
Jul 17, 2010
Dolly
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This is a fascinating folktale from Russia; a story of the Three Kings on their way to visit baby Jesus, not knowing what was to come. The perspective is an unusual one and is a refreshing twist on the tale. The illustrations are very angular, with simple, primary colors; not sure why they earned the Caldecott Medal. I like that they included the song at the end of the story.
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Dec 19, 2010
Eva
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This is a cute story but I enjoyed it more than Julia. The artwork wasn't really enough for the average child I think, much too quiet for them, and the story has so much underlying meaning that it would take an older child to grasp it. Even with an adult talking to them and explaining much it still wouldn't sink in as much as one would like I think.
Nov 06, 2010
Jill
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1961 Caldecott medal.
I liked the wood-block drawings. It's similar to Drummer Hoff. The illustrator only used four colors which gives the book a harsh, dramatic look which I think is a perfect match for the reality of life for a Russian peasant.
I liked the wood-block drawings. It's similar to Drummer Hoff. The illustrator only used four colors which gives the book a harsh, dramatic look which I think is a perfect match for the reality of life for a Russian peasant.
Jul 21, 2009
Kami
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*Picture Books* I think this book may be a fairy tale from Russia, but it doesn't exactly saw. Baboushka is trying to follow the three kings to find the Child born at Christmas. The illustrations are interesting, but it is a good multi-cultural story.
Jun 09, 2009
Lesley
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This story is a combination of the Three Kings and Santa. I wonder why Babousha thought housework was more exciting than going with the kings to find the Child! I remember reading this to one of my 2nd grade classes, and they liked saying the name Baboushka.
Dec 14, 2010
Satia
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I love the illustrations in this book. The story is Christian, obviously. Definitely one to read during the holidays. For more and for further exploration suggestions:
http://satia.blogspot.com/2010/12/caldec...
http://satia.blogspot.com/2010/12/caldec...
Sep 18, 2010
Sara
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How can you argue with a Caldeclott winner? The message is beautiful, the illustrations are intriguing to eyes young and old alike. All in all, it is a sweet book that would be best enjoyed during the holidays.
Oct 27, 2011
Scott
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 14, 2010
Ali
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I liked this book. This book is about a women who lives in the cold and three elegant looking men come to her door saying they are looking for a child. So she goes in search of the child.
Apr 19, 2010
Beth
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Baboushka is visited by three kings looking for the Child at her hut. There is a song at the end of the novel to sing.
The art is displayed in blue, yellow, orange,and black.
The art is displayed in blue, yellow, orange,and black.
Dec 22, 2010
Anna
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A Christmas folktale from Russia, and the 1961 winner of the Caldecott Medal. Not a favorite in story or illustrations.
Nov 05, 2010
Graceann
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It was a story with a different twist on the 3 Wise men. It would be a fun story to read to children around Christmas time.
Sep 23, 2011
Pafoua
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illustrated by Nicolas Sidjakov; written by Ruth Robbins; published by Parnassus; non-fiction; Caldecott 1961
Nov 25, 2008
Snorkle
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I did not care for this book at all. The illustrations looked cheap and unprofessional. The end of the book was depressing, I felt sad because Baboushka didn't find what she was looking for and I also thought it was kind of creepy how she ended up.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008/07...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008/07...
