The Glass Mountain: Twenty-Eight Ancient Polish Folktales and Fables [Hardcover]

W. S. Kuniczak (Editor, Narrator), Pat Bargielski (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

As a child in a far-away misty corner of Volhynia, W.S. Kuniczak was carried away to an extraordinary world of magic and illusion by the folk tales of his Polish nurse. "To this day I merely need to close my eyes to see...an imaginary picture show and chart the marvelous geography of the fantastic, " he writes in his introduction. Many of the tales are universal to all Western Slavic languages and cultures and have been told and retold for 1,000 years.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is an heirloom book to pass on to children and grandchildren. A timeless book, with delightful illustrations, it will make a handsome addition to any library and will be a most treasured gift." -- Polish American Cultural Network.

About the Author

W S Kuniczak; Illustrated by Pat Bargielski

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books; 2nd edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078180552X
• ISBN-13: 978-0781805520
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,836,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you like Polish tales, you will like these., January 28, 1999

By 

Marjorie J. Dundas (Rutland, VT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Glass Mountain: Twenty-Eight Ancient Polish Folktales and Fables (Hardcover)

Although this book is called "a retelling of traditional Polish tales," an American reader will find much that is new to him/her. The reader will find a story about an evil sorcerer who put a curse on a young man so that he was kept whirling in the sky--all the winds tortured him. He could see life on earth, could see his sweetheart on earth but could not go to her. When he finally promised the sorcerer to give up his betrothed so the sorcerer could have her, he was released--but he was a bony skeleton by now. Read how a witch helped him defeat the sorcerer. The title story, "The Glass Mountain," relates how a princess waited 7 long years at the top of a glass mountain for a hero to come rescue her. Many brave knights lost their lives trying to do just that, but it took a handsome young scholar to think out how he might climb the mountain (wildcat claws). He was almost defeated when he was saved by an eagle who tumbled him into an apple tree on top of the glass mountain. More--much more--happens in this story. Even the titles are interesting in this book of Polish folktales.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Glass Mountain: Twenty-Eight Ancient Polish Foltales and Fables, September 21, 2005

By 

S. Gajewski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Glass Mountain: Twenty-Eight Ancient Polish Folktales and Fables (Hardcover)

Book was recieved in very good time and was better then hoped for. Searching for Folktales that are rather uncommon, this book provides great ones.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical and Wonderful, June 6, 2006

By 

Mirka Tvardovska "Mirka" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Glass Mountain 28 Ancient Polish Folktales and Fables (Hardcover)

This book contains both well-known Polish tales and less known but equally enjoyable. It also has beautiful illustrations, and the entire book is more mature than traditional fairy-tale collections. Highly recommended for readers of all ages, backgrounds, and interests.