THE DEVILS WHO LEARNED TO BE GOOD

McCurdy, Michael

ISBN 10: 0316555274 / ISBN 13: 9780316555272

Published by Joy Street Books, Boston, 1987

About this Item

Red hard cover/ black cloth sp., sl. wr. to crns. reinforced binding, card pocket ffep, few lib. stamps, unpaginated, b & w woodcut illust., After feeding two starving beggars, an old Russian soldier receives a magical flour sack and deck of playing cards which help him to remove some pesky devils from the Tsar's palace.

Seller Inventory # 11342B

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE DEVILS WHO LEARNED TO BE GOOD
• Publisher: Joy Street Books, Boston
• Publication Date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0316555274
• ISBN 13: 9780316555272
• Binding: Quarter-Bound
• Illustrator: Michael McCurdy
• Edition: First Edition
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • FABLES, FAIRY, FOLK TALES & LEGENDS
  • CHILDRENS

About this title

Synopsis

After feeding two starving beggars, an old Russian soldier receives a magical flour sack and deck of playing cards which help him to remove some pesky devils from the Tsar's palace

Reviews

Grade 1-4 A lively tale, told with humor, of the power of good over evil. McCurdy's adaptation of a Russian folktale is simply told and boldly illustrated with large black-and-white wood engravings that add additional life to the story. A retired Russian soldier befriends two old beggars and receives gifts from thema deck of playing cards with which he can never lose and a sack that will catch and hold anything. When the soldier comes upon a grand palace that is inhabited by devils, he uses these gifts to outwit them. Feeling guilty, the soldier civilizes the devils and uses them as his servants. They help the old soldier distribute food and money to the poor, and only occasionally fall back into bad habits. The print is large, and each spread of text and art is bordered with a thin red rule. A good folktale to use with primary grade children as a discussion starter. Yvonne A. Frey, Peoria Public Library, Ill.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

An old Russian soldier sets off for home thinking about the merry celebration in his village upon his return. In separate instances, he meets two beggars and because of his kindness to them is rewarded. These rewardsa tattered deck of cards that never loses, an old sack that captures whatever its owner wantshelp the soldier tame the devils who haunt a palace. The soldier puts them to work; he sends them looking for the poor to enrich with food, clothes and a warm home. McCurdy's adaptation of this classic Russian tale is hearty and humorous; his masterful wood engravings capture the somber intensity of the countryside. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.