Russian folk culture is filled with magical stories for children; tales of witches and wizardry, perilous journeys, wise animals, frightful giants, and beautiful princesses. This choice collection presents six of the most popular tales. Some bear a resemblance to the folktales of western Europe, while others introduce exotic creatures and situations unique to the Russian imagination. Among the fanciful characters young readers will encounter in these stories are the legendary Fire-bird; the dulcimer-playing Sadko, whose music could make the Tzar of the Sea dance; the iron-toothed witch Baba Yaga, and many more.
British author Arthur Ransome (1884–1967) gathered these authentic tales from peasant storytellers on his journeys to Russia early in the twentieth century. He then retold them in English. This volume reproduces the English versions, reset in large, easy-to-read type, and illustrated with six handsome new drawings.