Nation Studies: Russia

Written and illustrated by Carole Tate. The story centres on a greedy traveller who steals a magic hand mill from an old couple; this hand mill produces an endless supply of pancakes and pies. However, the thief may not be able to enjoy his ill-gotten gains for long, hinting at a moral consequence for his actions.

Written by Alexander Afanasyev, and illustrated by Gennady Spirin. Retold by Lenny Hort. The tale follows the adventures of Ivan, a lazy man who catches a magical fish that grants him wishes.

Retold and illustrated by Carole Tate. A greedy traveller robs an old couple of their magic hand mill, which produces an endless supply of pancakes and pies, but the wicked rascal may not be able to enjoy his booty for long.

It tells the story of Tsar Dadon, who, in his old age, seeks protection from his enemies by consulting a sorcerer. The sorcerer gives Dadon a golden cockerel that can warn of impending danger. However, Dadon forgets his promise to the sorcerer, leading to unforeseen consequences. Written by Alexander Pushkin and illustrated by Ivan Bilibin.

The story revolves around Ivan the Poor, who loses the Wind's magic cloth and the Sun's magic goat to his brother Ivan the Rich, but then receives a magic sack from the Frost. Written by James Riordan and illustrated by Errol Le Cain.

It tells the story of a poor Russian peasant who devises a plan to stop his wife, a notorious gossip, from revealing that he has found a treasure chest full of gold. Written and illustrated by Amanda Hall.

The story follows a young huntsman named Alexi who finds a golden mare and spares her life, earning her eternal loyalty. Alexi and the mare help him become the Tsar's best huntsman, but the jealous Tsar sets him on impossible tasks, which the mare helps him complete. The final task involves winning Yelena the Fair, a maiden the Tsar wants as his bride. Alexi and Yelena eventually trick the Tsar into jumping into a cauldron of boiling water, turning him back into an infant, and they adopt him as their child. Written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson.

This book tells the story of two rabbits, Daisy and Floyd, who plant a carrot seed that grows into an enormous carrot. They ask their friends to help them pull it out, but it takes many friends to finally succeed. Written by Vladimir Vagin.

The story tells the tale of a tsar who, after being tricked by a demon, unwittingly pledges his newborn son to the demon. Once the son, Ivan, grows up, he sets out to honour his father's promise with the help of an enchanted princess named Maria, who aids him in escaping his fate. Retold by Robert San Souci and illustrated by Lauren Mills.