Five Sisters

This tender tale of a couple’s wish to have a child of their own is told in the style of a folktale, both in its structure as well as in the poetic writing style, which is rich with imagery. The old man and old woman have cared for the forest since its beginning and in return are blessed for their goodness with a branch from an oak tree. The old man carves the branch into five matryoshka dolls that the old woman cares for like daughters, her heart seemingly satisfied. When a wolf bites the doll daughters, leaving them in pieces, the old man once again returns to the oak tree from whence they were carved, but this time is blessed with a daughter “real and true.” While the story feels disjointed at times—particularly as it transitions from the doll daughters sitting in the windowsill to their playing outside in the stream—overall the book offers a rich reading experience, providing a wealth of opportunities to delve deep with a child about their thoughts on the couple’s caring for the forest, desiring a family, raising the dolls, the danger of the wolf, and the final granting of the couple’s heart’s desire. In the true nature of folklore, some aspects are left unexplained and open to the imagination. The illustrations are key, both in the continued feeling of traditional folklore they support as well as their unique beauty and detail. Their very specific style—a gorgeous color palette alive with forest life; small heads and large bodies for the primary characters with detailing on their traditional clothing—feels simultaneously timeless and uniquely fresh.