The Magic Nesting Doll by Jacqueline Ogburn and Laurel Long, 2000 first edition.

Written by Jacqueline Ogburn. Illustrated by Laurel Long. First edition, 2000. Dial Books, division of Penguin Putnam, Inc.

A tale of courage and love inspired by Russian stories and the matryoshka doll, illustrated like a Russian lacquer box.

"Once upon a time a girl named Katya lived with her grandmother at the edge of the forest. They worked hard and loved each other tenderly, until one day the old woman fell ill.

"She called Katya to her side and said, "Little pigeon, my time is near. Soon you must make your own way in the world, but I have a gift that will help you." She took a little matryoshka, a nesting doll, out of the small box. The doll was smooth and bright, painted in the likeness of the grandmother with apron and kerchief. Katya started to open the doll.

"Stop! said the old woman. "Not yet. If your need is great, open the doll and help will come. But you may only do so three times. After that, the magic will be gone. Keep the doll and remember me."

Front Flap:

"A wicked spell has changed a handsome young prince to a pale glassy figure made of 'living ice,' and his kingdom to a frozen landscape of night without moon, dark without dawn.

"Katya knows that it's up to her to rescue the prince and undo the evil spell that has banished the sun. Armed with only the magic nesting doll and her own valiant heart, she is determined to succeed. But will her courage and the mysterious nesting doll be strong enough to prevail?"

Jacqueline K. Ogburn (1959 - ) was an editor at New York publishing houses for a decade before beginning a second career as a children's book author. Books include The Masked Maverick, Noise Lullaby, The Reptile Ball, The Jukebox Man, and The Lady and the Lion, another outstanding collaboration with artist Laurel Long.

Laurel Long is a noted illustrator and Professor in the Art Department at California State University, Northridge. Working in oil paints, her work has been described as "exquisitely detailed". Books include Hans Brinker by Bruce Coville, The Lady & The Lion, a Grimm story, with Jacqueline K. Ogburn, and The Twelve Days of Christmas. The Mightiest Heart by Lynn Cullen was awarded the Gold Medal by the Society of Illustrators.

Etsy.com/shop/TheCharmedBookshop
Visit TheCharmedBookshop.com for more fine books for young readers and collectors.

Condition: Fine/Near Fine. Dust jacket: Light shelf wear. Illustrated cover boards. Pages are clean, undamaged, and complete.