Firebird

This copy of Firebird by Saviour Pirotta and with illustrations by Catherine Hyde is a HB with a DJ. This is a huge book--it measures 10 1/8 inches X 12 5/8 inches. It was published by Templar Books (an imprint of Candlewick Press) in 2010. Condition: Very Good/Very Good--a few pages show faints signs of handling; most pages show no handling; binding tight; no markings; bottom corner of front cover has been bumped; DJ shows faint signs of handling. Overall, a very nice book.
From School Library Journal

Gr 1-3–Large and lavish, this handsome presentation builds nicely on European folktale elements to tell of King Vaslav's youngest son winning the heart of the princess, half the kingdom, and ownership of the fabulous bird. Though the book cover invites readers to “celebrate 100 years of the world-famous Russian ballet,” the story is quite different from that of the ballet's hapless archer. In an endnote, Pirotta comments broadly on the varied appearances of the bird of fire in world folklore, but never acknowledges the sources from which he has drawn them. His adroit telling suggests Russian origins. The three princes–Dimitri, Vasili, and Ivan–try in turn to capture the fiery intruder that comes at night to feed on the golden-skinned apples in the king's orchard. The traditional pattern of three continues, and Ivan is aided by a magical Gray Wolf in the rounds of his quest. Hyde's acrylic paintings are soft in focus and deep with luminous portrayals of the featured animals and dusky views of the nighttime and woodland journeys. The book's expansive layout nicely varies the use of white space and painting size. Earlier picture-book renderings and those in collections seem to vary considerably in telling this tale. The misleading plug for the ballet aside, this one is well constructed with a satisfying fairy-tale mix of human frailty and greed, magical intervention, and just deserts–a welcome choice for storytelling and reading aloud. Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

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