The Enormous Turnip

I found this book at the library and we read it a dozen times a day. I wish it were not out of print. My child is internationally adopted and of Russian decent. I have read several versions of this story with more "traditional" Russian illustrations and they were too long and did not flow as well. We love all the perfectly chosen Russian names for the various characters. The simple pictures and words reveal much about their personalities and relationships as a larger "family" A new twist on the original tale is that a beetle instead of the usual mouse is the one to succeed. I agree that the illustrations are cute but not special. I collect children's books and sometimes what appeals to a child is so subtle as to be missed by even pickiest adult. There is something very endearing about this version.