The Scarlet Flower: A Russian Folk Tale (English and Russian Edition)

A merchant's daughter requests a scarlet flower when he returns from his travels, but the merchant picks a flower whose owner, a terrible beast, demands a fearsome price

Grade 2-6-- After Robin McKinley's enchanting novelization ( Beauty Harper, 1978), and with lovely picture book versions available such as Warwick Hutton's (Macmillan, 1985) and Marianna Mayer's (Four Winds, 1978), there seems to be little left to be said or drawn concerning the tale of "Beauty and the Beast." This latest offering, a retelling of a traditional Russian version, offers nothing new. As appealing as the basic story is, this retelling has little to mark it as distinctly Russian. The writing style is competent but hardly noteworthy and lacks the lyrical quality of the versions already mentioned. The watercolor illustrations have a too-varied palette; the pale blues and pinks seem at odds with the violent purples and yellows. Their style is best described as decorative realism, but they fail to capture the true character of the story. Poor page design places several of the more appealing illustrations directly in the gutter and thereby breaks the flow of the action. Unfortunately the book never takes shape; readers will find the story better served in other versions. --Denise A. Anton Wright, Library Book Selection Service, Inc., Bloomington, IL
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This handsome storybook based on the familiar legend of Beauty and the Beast takes its text from a Russian folk version of the tale. It offers a full but overly long account that is especially cumbersome for reading aloud. The book's strength lies in its illustrations, with a wealth of detail, pattern and color suiting the opulence of the Beast's palace and the lushness of his grounds; readers may wish that some of the text had been condensed or sacrificed to make room for more of the lavish full-page scenes. The monster of the story is appealing in the way of Sendak's Wild Things: a hairy, wild figure, the Beast (and his assorted creatures) displays hints of almost mischievous glee rather than offering unmitigated ferocity--a crucial element in the book's charm. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.