Customer Reviews

Old Peter's Russian Tales

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

 

 

This was the first storybook that was ever read to me. The Book tells the story of an uncle that lives in the chill of Russia during the winter with his nephews. As days go by, he starts telling stories to them ...

These stories, are perfect for children ages 10 and up. They are written pretty much as fables, all of them having some kind of insight as to how people are. No violence is included in the text, though some is meant to be understood, as in Little Red Riding Hood.

Do get this book. Read it out loud to your young and see their reaction.

OK, yeah, my title is a truism, but I think it applies here. If you like old-fashioned folk tales, as opposed to Disneyesque fairy tales, then you'll love this book. In other words, if you like the original Grimm tales, as opposed to the cleaned-up and defanged versions you often see nowadays, then you'll love this book. If you only let your kids read stuff where nobody is ever naughty and where nothing is really scary, then you should pass on this. Examples: One story has a bad-tempered man who hits people, and who gets his comeuppance in the end. Several stories have a traditional Russian witch, who is dangerous and not particularly nice, but who is also not altogether evil.

I think I enjoyed it more than my kids, so I only gave it 4 stars, since I think most people would buy this for a kid.

Best people to buy this for: adults who like folk tales, kids 8+ if good reading skill, kids 11+ if average reading skill, parents who are sick and tired of the usual pablum they are forced to read to their kids at bedtime.

Be warned, the book published by General Books LLC is an el cheapo version, using OCR scanning and an automated scanning device which can miss complete pages. Typos are frequent and there's no table of contents, also, there was absolutely no editing of the book. This is all stated on the publishers web site (google them and read - you'll be as shocked as I was when you get all the details). There are NO illustrations.

The reviews asoociated with this book from General Books LLC are from a version from a different (and reputable) publisher. The owner of General Books LLC, VDM Publishing, is gaining noteriety for these ripoffs - almost every review of their books (around 500,000 of them from one imprint or another now listed on Amazon) by an actual buyer is negative, many are extremely so.

If you have bought the version from General Books LLC by mistake, you can return to Amazon within 30 days(but check Amazon's Return Policy for the details)

Had this read to me as a child and will never forget the witch's cat helping the little girl escape by taking her place at the loom while she gets away:
'Are you weaving, little niece?' Baba Yaga asked. 'Are you weaving, my pretty?'
'I am weaving, Auntie', says the thin black cat, tangling and tangling while the loom went clickety-clack clickety-clack.
'That's not the voice of my little dinner!' says Baba Yaga

Also the story about an old couple planting turnips on their roof, till their turnips are all stolen by a crowd of queer little children... Will have your kids spellbound