This book was published in 1945, and the story takes place in the Ukraine when it was still a part of Russia. A little girl gets lost and is so distraught that when people ask her what her parents' names are, she only manages to say that her mother is the most beautiful woman in the world.

But that "main" plot doesn't really start until halfway into the book. The first half details a holiday party, and weirdly talks about last year's party instead of describing the current year party as it's happening.

There was far too much text here, and during the first half, my 6-year-old nephew announced that it was boring and walked away. To be fair, my 10-year-old niece stayed and said at the end that the book was a good one. I was bored. And really confused about the purpose of the first half. I think the story had so much promise but needed a slightly different structure.

The illustrations are vintage, bright, and capture the folk festivity well. ( )

A little girl falls asleep while her parents are busy with the harvest. Finding her mother again is all she wants, and this story is delightfully told. The illustrations by Ruth Gannett are wonderful. Given its copyright date, 1945, I guess it's understandable that the author calls her story a Russian folk tale, although it obviously takes place in Ukraine, where folks then and now do not consider themselves Russian. I simply love this book. ( )

A young girl from the Ukraine loses her mother and gives only one bit of information to the strangers who look for her: She's the most beautiful woman in the world. Tear-jerker alert!
The illustrations almost look like old newsprint technology, tiny dots create the shapes and colors. The writing hearkens us back to the days of celebration for a harvest well earned. (1945 Caldecott Honor)

A gentle story of a little lost girl who can only tell rescuers that her mother is "the most beautiful woman in the world." Many beautiful women are brought forth for the girl to identify, but none are right. Finally, a dumpy, lumpy little woman emerges who is the right one - and "most beautiful" in the little girl's eyes. We don't love people because they are beautiful - they are beautiful because we love them.

The illustrations are beautiful. Color washes brightly depict traditional Russian peasant and festival costumes. ( )