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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
This retelling of a traditional Russian folk tale was awarded the Caldecott Medal for illustrations by Uri Sheulevitz. The fool is a peasant with limited resources; even his parents look down on him. So when the czar announces that the first person to bring him a flying ship will have his daughter’s hand in marriage, no one believes the Fool could possibly succeed. But he sets off anyway, and the adventure begins.
Shulevitz’s beautiful illustrations really enhance the story.
Shulevitz’s beautiful illustrations really enhance the story.
annalisenak97's review against another edition
5.0
So delightful. The story fairly bounces with whimsy and excitement. The moral is that God takes care of the simple and it's left me thinking that I may be the Fool of the World too. The illustrations are sumptuous and colorful, and there are some two page spreads that rocked.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
A Russian version of 10 Chinese Brothers. Way too wordy and long for a picture book and with only ok art, it is not clear what makes this a Caldecott Award winner. The fool walks out the door and is nice to a stranger and does exactly what he says and so gets to obviously marry the princess and then becomes clever and popular and rich. Not a bad story but not one I'd be going out of my way to share.
libraryalexa's review against another edition
Read 5/20/15
Story about how god helps those who are treated badly by others
Story about how god helps those who are treated badly by others
emkoshka's review against another edition
3.0
This was a charming folk tale which illustrates that even simpletons can become champions through kindness, friendship and humility. The only irritating thing was that the tense kept changing between past and present whenever a character spoke.
libscote's review
3.0
I liked this story. I feel like I've heard it before. It was sort of like...Seven Chinese Brothers. I think that's the title.
Caldecott Medal, 1969
Caldecott Medal, 1969
kesterbird's review
3.0
I've read versions of this story, usually with any random three of the included supernatural peasants, but this is like trying to sit through someone singing every verse of Drunken Sailor they've ever heard.
librarianryan's review
4.0
First off this book is loooooonnnnnnnggggggg. Especially for a children’s picture book. It won the Caldecott medal in 1969 for the best illustrated work for children. It lives up to the hype. This was a very enjoyable folk tale about not being the smartest, or most learned person, but about being kind, and friendly. I thought this was very well done, and can see why the book is still around, even when it is older than I.
#beaththebacklist 2017 #hermione
#beaththebacklist 2017 #hermione