The Sea King's Daughter: A Russian Legend - Hardcover

Shepard, Aaron

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689807597 ISBN 13: 9780689807596

Publisher: Atheneum, 1997

Synopsis

Sadko the musician loved his city of Novgorod, the richest and most free in all Russia. With its great feasts, its white stone churches, its merchant visitors from many lands, Sadko felt there was no better place to be. Yet he was lonely too, for the rich young ladies who danced to his music would never favor anyone so poor. One night he takes his twelve-string gusli and goes alone to play by the River Volkhov. Suddenly from the water rises the Sea King, who invites the astonished musician to play at his underwater palace. But how will Sadko get there? And how will he get back? And will he want to return at all, when he meets the Sea King's lovely daughter? One of the most popular legends of Russia, Sadko's story is found in medieval epic ballads, as well as in a popular opera by Rimsky-Korsakov. It is retold here in elegant prose, complemented by the entrancing illustrations of a modern Russian master. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Monkey King," and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. Gennady Spirin, with a style he describes as "fairy-tale realism," is one of the world's most esteemed children's illustrators. His honors include five gold medals from the Society of Illustrators, the Golden Apple from the Bratislava International Biennial, First Prize at the Bologna and Barcelona international book fairs, and four appearances on the New York Times list of Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year. Born and trained in Russia before moving to the United States, Gennady already knew well the legend of Sadko and welcomed the chance to contribute his sumptuous art to this retelling.  

About this title

From the Author:

 1997 New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year 1998 American Library Association Notable Children's Books 1998 NCSS/CBC Notable Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 1997 Aesop Accolade, American Folklore Society 1998 Honor Title, Storytelling World Awards 1997 Cincinnati Enquirer Best Illustrated Children's Books American Bookseller Pick of the Lists Starred review, Publishers Weekly Featured on CBS This Morning "Emotionally authentic prose and jewel-like illustrations make this an exquisite volume. . . . [A] mood of eloquent enchantment." -- Publishers Weekly, Aug. 25, 1997, starred review "Exquisite." -- The New York Times Book Review, Oct. 26, 1997 "Knock-your-socks-off beautiful. . . . Will stay in a family's library forever." -- Valerie Lewis, "CBS This Morning," Dec. 11, 1997 "Retains the flavor of Old Russia. . . . A fascinating spin on mermaid/human interaction." -- Denise Anton Wright, School Library Journal, Dec. 1997 "The telling is descriptive yet very accessible. . . . The pictures are gorgeous and resplendent with extraordinary details." -- Stephanie Zvirin, American Library Association Booklist, Nov. 15, 1997 "Aaron Shepard proves once again that he is one of the finest authors working in the field of folktales today. Meticulous research and a respect for the story, as well as those who have told it, characterize all of Aaron's works. Set off by illustrations that are as wondrous and detailed as the story, this is a book that begs to be read aloud." -- Kip Nead, Growing Up, Nov. 1997 "Aaron's prose is both lyrical and storyteller-friendly, plus he includes excellent notes on his sources and the historical and cultural background of the story." -- Katy Rydell, Stories, Winter 1998 "Involving. . . . Stunning." -- Susie Wilde, WUNC-FM "Lush language and Gennady Spirin's intricate watercolors make The Sea King's Daughter a feast for ear and eye." -- Mary Quattlebaum, Washington Parent, May 1998 "Rich. . . . This book will delight students of all ages." -- The Mailbox Bookbag, Aug.-Sept. 1998 "Shepard masterfully brings this story to a new audience." -- Janet Marnatti, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nov. 15, 1998 "A satisfying story, beautifully illustrated." -- Marilyn Courtot, Children's Literature, June 1998 ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE Down sank Sadko, down all the way to the sea floor. The red sun shone dimly through the water above, while before him stood a white stone palace. Sadko passed through a coral gate. As he reached the huge palace doors, they swung open to reveal a giant hall. The elegant room was filled with guests and royal attendants -- herring and sprats, cod and flounder, gobies and sticklebacks, sand eels and sea scorpions, crabs and lobsters, starfish and squid, sea turtles and giant sturgeon. Standing among the guests were dozens of maidens -- river nymphs, the Sea King's daughters. On a shell throne at the end of the hall sat the Sea King and his Queen. "You're just in time!" called the King. "Musician, come sit by me -- and let the dance begin!" Sadko set his gusli on his lap and plucked a merry tune. Soon all the fish swam in graceful figures. The seafloor crawlers cavorted. The river maidens leaped and spun. "I like that tune!" declared the King. He jumped to the center of the hall and joined the dance. His arms waved, his robe swirled, his hair streamed, his feet stamped. "Faster!" cried the King. "Play faster!" Sadko played faster and the King's dance grew wilder. All the others stopped and watched in awe. Ever more madly did he move, whirling faster, leaping higher, stamping harder. The Sea Queen whispered urgently, "Musician, end your tune! It seems to you the King merely dances in his hall. But above us, the sea is tossing ships like toys, and giant waves are breaking on the shore!" Alarmed, Sadko pulled a string until it snapped. "Your Majesty, my gusli is broken." "A shame," said the Sea King, winding to a stop. "I could have danced for days. But a fine fellow you are, Sadko. I think I'll marry you to one of my daughters and keep you here forever." 

From the Inside Flap:

PICTURE BOOKS AND EASY READERS BY AARON SHEPARD THE BAKER'S DOZEN: A Saint Nicholas Tale. Illustrated by Wendy Edelson. Van Amsterdam, the baker, is as honest as he can be -- but he may have something left to learn. Ages 4-13. THE SEA KING'S DAUGHTER: A Russian Legend. Illustrated by Gennady Spirin. A poor musician is invited to play in the Sea King's palace, where he's offered more than riches. An A.L.A. Notable and N.Y. Times Best Illustrated. Ages 7 and up. THE ADVENTURES OF MOUSE DEER: Tales of Indonesia and Malaysia. Illustrated by Kim Gamble. Mouse Deer is small, and many animals want to eat him -- but first they have to catch him! Ages 4-9. THE LEGEND OF LIGHTNING LARRY. Illustrated by Toni Goffe. A cowboy with a huge smile, a gun that shoots bolts of light, and a hankering for lemonade takes on Evil-Eye McNeevil's outlaw gang. Ages 4-12. THE LEGEND OF SLAPPY HOOPER: An American Tall Tale. Illustrated by Toni Goffe. Slappy is the world's biggest, fastest, bestest sign painter, but he's TOO GOOD -- his pictures keep coming to life. Ages 5-12. ONE-EYE! TWO-EYES! THREE-EYES!: A Very Grimm Fairy Tale. Illustrated by Gary Clement. Two-Eyes is different from her sisters and others, because she has just two eyes. A New York Public Library selection for "Children's Books 2007: One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing." Ages 7-12. KING O' THE CATS. Illustrated by Kristin Sorra. Peter is notorious for telling wild stories -- so who will believe him now, with his crazy claims about cats? A Junior Library Guild Selection. Ages 4-12. THE PRINCESS MOUSE: A Tale of Finland. Illustrated by Leonid Gore. When a young man seeks a wife by way of family tradition, he finds himself engaged to a mouse. A New York Public Library selection for "Children's Books 2003: One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing." Ages 4-12. THE MAGIC BROCADE: A Tale of China. Illustrated by Xiaojun Li. To save his mother's life, a young man must retrieve her weaving from the fairies of Sun Palace. Ages 4 and up. LADY WHITE SNAKE: A Tale from Chinese Opera. Illustrated by Song Nan Zhang. When a thousand-year-old snake takes human form and marries for love, she must fight for both her marriage and her freedom. Ages 7 and up. SAVITRI: A Tale of Ancient India. Illustrated by Vera Rosenberry. The princess Savitri must use all her wit and will to save her husband from the god of death. A California Collection selection. Ages 7 and up. THE MAIDEN OF NORTHLAND: A Hero Tale of Finland, from the Kalevala. illustrated by Carol Schwartz. Two epic heroes vie with magic for the hand of a sorceress's daughter. An Aesop Accolade winner. Ages 9 and up. MASTER MAID: A Tale of Norway. Illustrated by Pauline Ellison. When Leif goes to work for the troll, only the advice of a remarkable young woman can save him from his foolishness -- if only he'll listen! Ages 4 and up. MASTER MAN: A Tall Tale of Nigeria. Illustrated by David Wisniewski. Shadusa thinks he's the strongest man in the world -- till he meets the real Master Man. Caldecott Award-winning illustrator! Ages 5 and up. THE GIFTS OF WALI DAD: A Tale of India and Pakistan. Illustrated by Daniel San Souci. Wali Dad, a humble grass-cutter, never asked for wealth -- so why can't he give it away? An Aesop Accolade winner. Ages 4 and up. THE CRYSTAL HEART: A Vietnamese Legend. Illustrated by Joseph Daniel Fiedler. The mandarin's daughter did not really see the boatman who sang from the river, but she's sure he's her destined love. A Bank Street College Best Children's Book. Ages 7 and up. FORTY FORTUNES: A Tale of Iran. Illustrated by Alisher Dianov. When a young man's wife makes him pose as a fortuneteller, his success is unpredictable. Ages 7 and up. THE ENCHANTED STORKS: A Tale of Bagdad. Illustrated by Alisher Dianov. The Calif and his Vizier try a spell that changes them into storks, then find they can't change back. Ages 7 and up. 

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0689807597
• ISBN 13: 9780689807596
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Spirin Gennady