The How the Russian Snow Maiden Helped Santa Claus book by Gail Buyske is about Snegurochka, the Russian Snow Maiden. She is asked to go help Santa Claus when his wife is suddenly called away from the North Pole. The little girl worries that she is too childish to be of any help to Santa, but, in the end, it is her youthful heart that helps save the day. This story is a wonderful way to introduce children to Russian words and customs, and it is a captivating read as well.

The Snow Maiden's Gift Doll that accompanies the book, brings the story to life by allowing your child to reenact the Snow Maiden’s adventure again and again. The largest doll is the Snow Maiden herself, holding her beloved nesting doll. Next come Santa Claus, a snow man, Christmas tree, and a tiny gift. A wonderful addition to any Christmas collection.

This doll is entirely hand paint at the Golden Cockerel workshop in St. Petersburg, Russia. The artists painstakingly hand paint every detail, beginning with backgrounds and moving to the finer elements that require a brush of very select Siberian squirrel hair. Then the dolls have multiple layers of non-toxic water-based lacquer applied. The bottom of the largest doll gets stamped with Golden Cockerel’s “Made in Russia” mark of quality, initialed by the artist, and dated like a true collectible.

Book: How the Russian Snow Maiden Helped Santa Claus by Gail Buyske
Size of the Largest Piece: 6 inches in height
The Nesting Set Includes: Five Story Images

Please note that the smaller pieces can be very small. Please make sure your recipient is old enough and wise enough not to swallow the characters (around three and older).