Some of the warmest stories are not born in publishing houses but on ordinary notebook pages. Isabella, a student of our school, wrote and illustrated her own New Year’s tale when she was very young — Зимняя сказка, or A Winter Tale. She came up with the plot herself, copied it out carefully in Russian cursive, and drew a bright cover: Ded Moroz in a glittering red coat with a big blue beard, standing beside a decorated tree under a silver snowflake.
What the Story Is About
The heroine is a little girl named Miroslava. She lives with her mother in a small house at the edge of a village, and her only toy is a rag doll named Dora that her mother sewed for her. One winter evening her mother suggests she write a letter to Ded Moroz. Miroslava asks for a new, beautiful doll — and every day she runs out to meet the mail carrier. No parcel comes… until one early morning a carriage stops outside the house.
In just a few pages the story holds everything a real fairy tale needs: a humble home, a loving mother, patient waiting, and a reward for believing in a miracle. It is written the way only children can write — sincerely, simply, and with a proud “The End” on the last page.
A Winter Tale
Translated from the author’s Russian original.
Once upon a time there lived a little girl named Miroslava. She lived with her mother in a small house at the edge of a village. Miroslava had no toys except a little rag doll named Dora, which her mother had sewn for her.
One winter evening her mother said to her daughter, “Write a letter to Ded Moroz. I have heard that he grants every wish at New Year’s.” Miroslava wrote a letter and asked him to give her a new, beautiful doll with white hair.
Every day the girl met the mail carrier and asked whether there was a parcel for her. But there was no parcel.
Then one early morning the girl saw a carriage with Ded Moroz standing by the house. Miroslava ran out into the yard and hugged Ded Moroz. From his big blue sack he took out an enormous box. When the girl opened it, she saw a beautiful doll with blue eyes.
Miroslava was very happy that New Year’s evening.
The End.
Turn the Pages of the Original
Here is the handmade book itself — the cover and all five handwritten pages. Click any image to see it full size.
Why It Matters
We believe every child is a little bit of a writer and an artist. When a student invents characters, builds a plot, and makes a book with her own hands — in Russian — she is learning far more than spelling. She is learning to see the world in her own way and to share it with others. Thank you, Isabella, for this warm winter story!
Does your child write fairy tales, poems, or draw comics? Send them to us — we will be happy to publish the most delightful works here in our Publications section.