Customer Reviews

The Firebird

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is another beautiful Demi book with gold embossing. The Firebird is a Russian tale about a girl engaged to marry an elderly, cruel Tsar. She figures out tasks that a young nobleman must achieve before she will consent to marry the Tsar but the Tsar is not the object of attraction.

Both my kids (ages 5 and 7) love this book. The story of the firebird is told in an engaging way, with a short paragraph of text on each page and full 2-page illustrations. The illustrations themselves are beautifully done in an intricate Slavic style, with liberal use of gold "leaf", which adds to the bright and glittering mood which surrounds the firebird. Highly recommended for anyone who loves well illustrated and well-written children's books. My daughter now wants to see The Firebird ballet by Stravinsky, so I put in at the top of our Netflix queue.

A wonderfully crafted tale for grades 1-5. One of Russia's classic folktales again brought to life with Demi's vivid illustrations. Demi is an incredible artistic talent. Each page is a delight.

The art in this traditional tale is evocative of both the glorious gilded icons of Russian Orthodox churches and the palekh boxes on which folk tales are painted in miniature in bright colors against a black lacquer surface. Or the colored-and-golden domes of the basilica on Red Square. When I found it among her old books and read it to her, I asked my daughter if we should give it away. "NO!" she exclaimed, having been as entranced as I by the magical artwork. It is a wonderful rendition that enhances the fairy tale beautifully. I'm sorry it's not available in hard cover anymore, but I am hoping the paperback rendition is as lush as the original.

"The Firebird," one of Russia's most famous and dramatic folktales is retold here.

The lavishly executed illustrations (a Demi trademark) are appropriate partners for the grand setting of thisstory.

I liked the story ok (I have never read this particular tale before, so I can't judge it based on source material or anything). However, I liked the story for the most part. I thought the hero was sort of stupid--he relied on his horse for all of the answers and then his fairy princess had to rescue him. (They were cool, the girl and the horse) I liked the illustrations but they were so small compared to the size of the page, it seemed like wasted space to me.