From Publishers Weekly
This Russian folktale--made famous by the Stravinsky ballet--is ripe with the delicious ingredients of so many classic stories: a beauteous princess trapped in an enchanted garden, the evil sorcerer who holds her there, fierce dragons, a deadly secret. And to this potent mixture comes a brave, smitten prince who uses a magic talisman from the legendary half-bird/half-woman to free his love. San Souci's ( The Talking Eggs ; The Enchanted Tapestry ) polished retelling resonates with the rich cadences of myth and fairy tale, and although Waldherr's ( Rapunzel ) darkly atmospheric paintings are somewhat uneven--her Firebird is a radiant creature, but the other characters are not always as finely drawn--they bolster the atmosphere of mystery and enchantment that pervades the tale. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-- Although San Souci's text flows smoothly, it can't compensate for Waldherr's poorly executed pictures that use a 19th-century painting style of oil paint glazes over an underpainting on stretched and gessoed paper. An attempt, perhaps, to copy the Pre-Raphaelite styles of Rossetti and Burne-Jones fails miserably. Dressed in a mishmash of Renaissance costumes, the human figures are stilted, distorted, and awkward. The landscapes fare even worse with shapeless trees and jumbled color. This version of a cherished Russian legend never gets off the ground. --Denise Anton Wright, Library Book Selection Service, Inc., Bloomington, IL
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
