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Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite
Masha is a Girl from Russia by Nina Chabanova introduces cultural pride and global friendship through the story of a Russian girl named Masha, who joins a new class and shares her heritage with her classmates. She shares many interesting things about her home country. Masha explains that Russia is the biggest country in the world that spans half the globe, with some parts being cold and snowy, and others having sun and beaches. She talks about its coldest city and another place where there are white nights, where the sun continues to shine all evening. She describes a special Russian stacking doll called a matryoshka and a teapot called a samovar. She also talks about one of the country’s famous painters, its poets, folk dancing, and the beautiful art of Russian ballet. Masha finishes by saying that although people come from different places, they are all the same inside; they laugh, dream, and love to play.
The plot is simple but effective, and the pacing flows like a lively classroom exchange, with a balance between curiosity from Masha’s peers and her creative responses. Nina Chabanova’s style is playful, rhythmic, and visually evocative, blending rhyme and description into a story that is engaging and enlightening for young readers. Each cultural element is detailed to capture a child’s imagination without slowing the rhythm. Through the vivid imagery and stunning, visually appealing, and detailed illustrations by Ana Rodic, the reader journeys across Russia’s vast landscapes, traditions, art, and folklore described by Masha’s voice and the magical scenes from her stories. Thematically, the book celebrates diversity, belonging, friendship, and the shared humanity of children across cultures. This is especially seen in Masha’s transformation from a shy newcomer to a proud cultural ambassador. Her classmates’ openness and warm acceptance reinforce the theme of inclusivity. Masha is a Girl from Russia is a highly recommended, vibrant, lyrical, entertaining, and educational book for children.
