A Russian Tale: The Fool Of The World And The Flying Machine

Image via Wikipedia

The Fool Of The World And The Flying Ship

Humorous Tale of Magic and Faith with Great Illustrations

Russian Folktale about determination and friendship


The Caldecott Medal

Retold by Arthur Ransome
Pictures by Uri Shulevitz

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (May 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374424381
• ISBN-13: 978-0374424381

Product Description

When the Czar proclaims that he will marry his daughter to the man who brings him a flying ship, the Fool of the World sets out to try his luck and meets some unusual companions on the way.

Review

"A delightful picture-book version of the Russian folktale about the simple third son who, through the magical powers of the Listener, Swift-goer, Drinker, and others, performs the tasks set by the Czar and wins the princess. The handsome illustrations which fill the pages with animation and gleaming colors have a folk character and Russian flavor." --Starred, Booklist
-- Review

First Sentence:
There were once upon a time an old peasant and his wife, and they had three sons.

I really liked this book. It's a clever one!


Barefoot Books offers 2 Russian books also:

Babushka

Meet Babushka, a woman who is so busy focusing on the little things, that she hardly notices the miraculous events going on around her. This touching Christmas story shows that the more you give away in love, the more you will receive.

Ages 3 to 7 years
Retold By: Sandra Ann Horn
Illustrated By: Sophie Fatus

The Gigantic Turnip

Find out what happens when the old woman, the old man, and all twenty-one animals on the farm try to harvest a rather large root vegetable. This well-loved Russian tale uses humor, counting and repetition to appeal to beginner readers. Book with CD editions include story read by Ellen Verenieks.

Ages 3 to 7 years
Written By: Aleksei Tolstoy
Illustrated By: Niamh Sharkey
Narrated By: Ellen Verenieks

-- LadyD

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis