The Tale of Tsar Saltan

In the first few decades of the 19th Century, the great Russian Poet Alexander Pushkin wrote a number of fairy stories in verse, among them a gem called The Tale of Tsar Saltan. The story has remained popular for nearly two hundred years, and was staged as an opera in 1900 by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov. However, few American children have had the pleasure of hearing or reading this beloved Russian story. Dial Books has adapted an English version of the tale from a translation by Pauline Hejl, and illuminated it with illustrations by the Russian-born artist Gennady Spirin. Tsar Saltan is a mini-epic that begins with three sisters, the youngest of whom marries the Tsar himself. Her sisters become jealous of her, however; and when she gives birth to a son, the Prince Guidon, her sisters arrange to have mother and child sealed up in a barrel and cast into the sea. Fortunately, an enchanted swan appears who helps the castaways to reclaim their lives. Spirin's luminous illustrations are full of energy and detail. At the top of each page is an arc-shaped picture, usually portraying a curved landscape, which usually supports the narration or illustration below. At times it crowns an illustration framed by the shape of a window with an arched top. This device reminds one of traditional Russian iconography, and suits the "once upon a time" flavor of the story very well. The use of color and texture is quite impressive as well, from the soft quilted and embroidered cloth of the sisters' outfits to the cold steel of the knights' weapons. I found myself staring at the end papers, which show the barrel washing up on the shore of an island in the night - the sand and spray seem to glow through the dark water, as if the island were a candle dispelling the darkness. The Tale of Tsar Saltan makes an excellent bedtime story for young children, and a wonderful addition to anyone's collection of lavishly-illustrated fairy tales.

This is a beautifully done book with exceptional illustrations. It has a magical feel to it that really will intrigue the child as well as the adult. It is perfect for girl or boy readers because of its classic fairy tale storyline. Loved it, and so did my son!