Gigantic Turnip [Turtleback]

Book Description

First recorded in nineteenth-century Russia by Aleksei Tolstoy, The Gigantic Turnip is a truly hilarious folk tale for children under five and beginner readers. And there's a special surprise right at the end! It features simple vocabulary, repetition to aid in memorization, and plenty of counting practice for young readers. Niamh Sharkey's quirky folk art illustrations lend to the humor of the story and the personalities of the characters. It is a lovely way to introduce young readers to a classic Russian tale.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Up-to-the-minute illustrations and graphic design serve as the new-fangled foil to the well-known Russian folktale," said PW. Ages 2-5. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-There is no shortage of versions of this popular Russian folktale, including Jan Peck's recent variant, The Giant Carrot (Dial, 1998). However, this retelling is more complex, so it won't work with very young audiences. The cumulative action centers on an old man and old woman and all of the animals who try to help them uproot a gigantic turnip. In the end, it is a tiny mouse that swings the balance, and all enjoy a hearty turnip supper. Sharkey's illustrations call to mind Brian Karas's work, offering a lot of quirky visual details shown in earthy browns, greens, and yellows on scratchy solid backgrounds. The round old man has spectacles precariously perched on his nose, the old woman sports elfish shoes and striped stockings, the rounded rectangle of a cow chomps on delicate flowers, and the potbellied pigs trod on tiny hooves. The pictures are big enough for a small storytime and kids will find plenty to look at in one-to-one sharing.
Sally Bates Goodroe, Harris County Public Library, Houston, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Turtleback
• Publisher: Demco Media (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606196994
• ISBN-13: 978-0606196994
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Teacher Loves the Gigantic Turnip!, May 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gigantic Turnip (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book, with beautiful illustrations. I teach preschool and use this book whenever I get a chance...it can be used to teach about counting, animals and planting...as well as having a wonderful moral. Every little bit helps!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I DO LOVE THE QUIRKY ART WORK IN THIS ONE...KIDS LOVE THE STORY., August 1, 2011

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gigantic Turnip, The (Tell Me a Story) (Hardcover with CD) (Book & CD) (Hardcover)

There are probably a dozen or more versions of this very old Russian folk tale floating around at this time, some are illustrated versions such as we have here, others can be found in anthologies in various formats. This particular version was recorded by Aleksei Tolstoy in the 19th century and is as good as most and better than some. A lot depends upon the taste of the individual as to which version is the best. I personally am rather fond of this one due to the fact it was illustrated by Niamh Sharkey and she is quirky enough to appeal to my quirky tastes.

This is an accumulative tale which starts with an old couple planting heir garden. The garden grows and it is time to harvest. All goes well until the very last turnip; the one at the end of the row, is ready to be pulled. Folks, this is one very big turnip! The old man get up one morning and decides it is time to gather that last turnip and goes to pull it up...no luck...it is just too big. The old woman joins him...still, they are unable to remove the big veggie from the garden. And here the tale actually begins in earnest.

One by one, group by group, all of the farm animals lend a hand. Each page adds another critter or group of critters trying to help the old man and woman. This finally includes the old man and woman, the big brown cow, the two pot-bellied pigs, the three black cats, the four speckled hens, the five white geese, the six yellow canaries and finally, when all else fails, the old woman gets the little hungry mouse who lives in their house to lend a hand.

There are little lessons to be learned in this work and they are delightfully presented not only by a very nice select wording, but by some wonderful illustrations.

Now reader take heed...some adults may, after the 10th or 20th reading find the repetitive nature of this work to be a bit much. That does not matter though. The kids seem to like it just fine and when all is said and done, it is the wee ones and their opinion that really counts.

Note: Aleksei Tolstoy was a bit of a controversial character in this time. His life story is rather interesting and the adult reader may want to follow up and find out more about this character...I found it rather fascinating myself...but then, as I said, I am a bit quirky about such things.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Version of this Classic Story Time Favorite, October 23, 2006

By 

AMGrumm (Suburbia, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gigantic Turnip (Barefoot Beginners) (Hardcover)

I love how the text reads, even more so than the brilliant illustrations. I love to read this text first and then play Heather Forest's musical adaptation of this story (see Heather Forest's Sing Me a Story).