A picture book filled with dolls from around the world that comfort our hearts.

Everyone probably has memories of playing with dolls as a child, letting their imagination run wild.
That's why, when we think of dolls, we feel a sense of warmth and love.

Dolls are friends who have been with us for a long time, sharing joy and sorrow, laughter and tears.
Traces of human figures made of wood, clay, bone, etc. have remained since prehistoric times.
Although it varies from era to era and country to country, dolls have developed into objects of worship, toys, and tourist attractions.
In this way, dolls have always stayed by our side and comforted our hearts.
This book introduces dolls from 16 countries around the world, focusing on the warm 'hearts' contained in them.
Chapter 1 introduces dolls from around the world that embody the love of family and wishes for good luck, such as the Swedish Dalahos, which symbolizes a father's love, and the Russian Matryoshka, which symbolizes a mother's love.
Chapter 2 talks about dolls from around the world that embody the dreams and adventurous spirit of children, like Italy's Pinocchio and Spain's Don Quixote. Chapter 3 talks about dolls from around the world that embody the true values ​​of life, like the Slovakian corn doll that teaches humility and the German Nutcracker that conveys true love.
In the final four chapters, we explore puppets from around the world that embody the history and culture of a country, such as the marionettes that have preserved the language and history of the Czech people, or the water puppets that embody the lives and culture of Vietnamese farmers.
Explore how dolls have touched people's hearts through the ages through 16 dolls loved around the world.
Through this book, children will travel the vast world and encounter diverse cultures through dolls.
Adults can recall their childhood memories with dolls and rekindle forgotten feelings.
This picture book is like a gift that brings back fond and warm memories of hugging a doll tightly in your arms and saying, "Do you know my heart?"


Learning about the culture and arts of distant countries through dolls

Why were Dalahos painted red? What do the patterns on the Matryoshka dolls symbolize? What's the difference between a Maneki Neko waving its right paw and one waving its left? Why does Aquaba have a scar on its face? Dolls are works of art that preserve a country's culture and traditions.
Knowing the meaning behind the doll's color and shape can give you an idea of ​​the tastes and lifestyle of the people of that country.

For the Swedes, who have a cold climate and barren land, the color red evokes warm and happy feelings as a contrast to the cold winter.
So when I painted the house, I mostly painted it red.
That's how the red Dallahose was born.
The pattern of the Matryoshka doll depicts a woman wearing a sarafan, a traditional Russian costume.
The name Matryoshka is also derived from the common Russian female name 'Matryona'.
So, Matryoshka symbolizes a mother who is generous and healthy.
Japanese people, who love cats, have created a variety of cultures with cats.
Maneki Neko is one of them.
A Maneki Neko waving its left paw is said to bring good luck to guests, while a Maneki Neko waving its right paw is said to bring good luck to the family.
The Ashanti people of Africa believed that a child with a scar on his face would be healthy.
So, he carved a scar on Aquaba's face and regarded Aquaba as a guardian deity that protected children.

In this way, dolls are a symbol of a country and a cultural heritage of mankind that reflects its geographical characteristics and culture.
Whether thousands of years ago or now, people look at dolls, talk to them, and become friends with them.
After reading this book, you will see the faces of the people of that country superimposed on the faces of the quietly smiling dolls.
Take time to reflect on the cultural significance of dolls and understand the traditions and arts of various countries.


A picture rich in storytelling and dolls from around the world.

Another charm of this book is its delicate and richly expressed illustrations.
Artist Jiyoon Park, a Bologna Ragazzi Award Amazing Bookshelf winner, thoroughly researches traditional costumes, lifestyles, and cultural backgrounds from around the world to create paintings that are based on facts while also stimulating the imagination.

Against the backdrop of a Spanish field with windmills turning, Don Quixote stands tall, dressed in medieval knightly attire, holding a spear and shield, on a novel.
Next to it is a small silhouette of Don Quixote walking with Sancho Panza, and below is a brush pen drawing.
In this way, the main picture for each doll shows the doll itself in its entirety, while also including storytelling in the background to express the symbols and history of the doll.
You can feel the living scenery of a doll breathing in a single picture.

This book vividly captures cultural sentiments from around the world, using dolls to provide both the joy of knowledge and the pleasure of viewing.