"Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, lived the great ruler Tsar Vasilyi. He had three sons, and the youngest was named Ivan-Tsarevitch.
"The Tsar's greatest pride was his garden, filled with exotic trees, and in the center of this garden was the prize of his kingdom: a tree with golden apples."
The Tale of the Firebird
Retold and Illustrated by Gennady Spirin
Translated by Tatiana Popova
Philomel Books
2002
Gorgeous illustrations by Gennady Spirin in this retelling of the classic Russian folk tale.
In the Forests of Serre by Patricia A. McKillip incorporates parts of the Firebird tale and makes a nice side-by-side reading with The Tale of the Firebird by Gennady Spirin.
In the Forests of Serre
Patricia A. McKillip
Cover illustration by Kinuko Y. Craft
Ace Trade Reprint Edition June 1, 2004
Spirin's illustrations are simply wonderful. I just saw Eva mention McKillip in her vlog and now you have one of her books here. I'm starting to be intrigued!
ReplyDeleteTiina: You should definitely be intrigued! I got to see some of Spirin's original illustrations for this book a couple of years ago. I just randomly walked into an art gallery as I was window shopping and found myself in the midst of this glorious artwork!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, that cover is lovely! Thanks for recommending it to me. In an even greater coincidence, I just read a McKillip today (the other one though). :) I didn't realise Serre had to do with the firebird: how exciting!
ReplyDeleteI love fairy tales, and I'm amazed how little known they are among school children today. I read them from the Grimm's Brothers, as well as Hans Christian Andersen, and it's a whole new world for those kids! Are you participating in Simpler Pastimes' Classic Children's Literature Challenge this month? They would fit in perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful. Thank you.
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