How many times has the Goldilocks tale been retold? We won't even guess.
This book, however, stands out, and the main reason we picked it is that this time it was retold and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev, one of the most interesting Russian illustrators living and working now in the United States.
The tale of the Three Bears is certainly one of most loved in Russia (the Russians actually consider it a Russian tale!). So it's only natural that there are many "Russian touches" in Valeri Gorbachev's picture book.
There is a stove in the Bears' house that looks like a Russian pechka. Papa Bear - acting as a real "Russian intelligent" - wears glasses and plays violin, and Mama Bear is an avid reader. There are big wooden spoons - the ones that became Russian artifacts - on the table. When the family of three leaves the house for the woods, they wear panamas and carry a parasol umbrella - reminding of the Chekhov time aristocrates...
Publishers Weekly praised the book's style for creating "a cozy and comforting world", and School Library Journal called it "a perfect version for pre-schoolers". We agree!
In English language. Publisher: Cheshire Studio (USA). Large format. Sturdy softcover. 40 pages. Printed in Belgium.
Below is the book description in Russian language:
Златовласка и три медведя.
Известная сказка в пересказе и иллюстрациях Валерия Горбачева.
Русский художник, ныне живущий и работающий в Америке, сделал эту книжку очень уютной и снабдил русскими деталями... Его медведи выглядят интеллигентами из чеховских времен. Папа медведь играет на скрипке. Все семейство гуляет в панамах и под парусиновыми зонтиками. В доме на столе - старинные деревянные ложки...
На английском языке. Издано в Америке. Отпечатано в Бельгии.
Крупный формат. Крепкая мягкая обложка. 40 страниц.
