The Enchanted Book: A Tale from Krakow

by Janina Porazińska, Jan Brett (Illustrator), Bozena Smith (Translator)

A Polish fairy tale published for the first time in English, this splendid picture book is the romantic, magical story of a miller's daughter who outwits an evil enchanter.

A miller's three beautiful daughters (the eldest, vain; the middle, flighty; the youngest, industrious and good-hearted) are enticed by a wicked magician to his underground kingdom with the help of a golden apple. The youngest daughter saves her sisters, who have been turned into birds, and other ensorcelled maidens because she alone can read the spell in the enchanted book that will release them. Full-color illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Fantasy, Poland, 20th Century, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1954

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a learned beggar-woman stops at the home of a miller, her gift of reading earns her a home for the winter. But the miller's three daughters - each beautiful in her own way - have very different priorities, and only the youngest attends to her lessons. Her dedication is rewarded when she and her sisters are each tricked by an evil enchanter into accompanying him to his castle, and she alone can read the counter-spells necessary to free his many captives...

This Polish folktale, originally part of a collection of tales published in 1954, is accompanied by Jan Brett's colorful, full-page illustrations, with their distinctive folk-motif style. The narrative is a little awkward at first, but I was soon won over by the reverence the characters clearly feel for the power of the printed word. Their respect for anyone who has mastered the "magic" of reading is quite apparent, and that is a motif which will always win my sympathy.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

After I opened this book I realized I had gotten it from the library years ago to read to my younger sister. I remembered the beautiful illustrations but not much about the story, which was okay but not related in the most scintillating prose. There are three lovely sisters, the youngest of whom is of course not only the prettiest but also the nicest and most industrious. She alone studies when her mother finds a reading teacher for the girls, and thus is able to free them all when they are captured by a wicked enchanter.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to purchase a remaindered copy of this years ago. It's a clever Polish fairy tale involving a girl who outwits a sorcerer, and it's beautifully illustrated by Jan Brett. Gorgeous!

[Agnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Folktale about three miller's daughters and one especially smart who manages to vanquish an enchanter (sorcerer). Every other page is colorfully illustrated with a full page panel framed with folkart - wycinanki. Characters are depicted in old fashioned folklore attire. A long but worthwile story for tweens or teens studying folktales or adult readers. The tale is quite universal, not much significance is placed on Polish culture.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations, and a tale very similar to one I first read from the Brothers Grimm. I donˋt know which version came first, but this book was a delightful retelling of an old tale.

[Kelsey Bielec]

This is a very classic fairytale type story without the married happily ever after. Instead of finding true love, the story ends with a triumph of book knowledge and kindness winning out. The real appeal of this book is the illustrations. Since it is set up in the mountains in Poland, you get to see the beautiful clothes they would wear and experience a glimpse of the culture of the country.

[Lucy Takeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on a classic fairy tale. Three daughters and an evil sorcerer. I do have to say evil sorcerer did not appear ugly enough to me.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

One girl's willingness to learn helps her to free her captured sisters and triumph over an evil enchanter. Illustrated by the lovely Jan Brett.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is stronger than the illustrations, here.

[Mads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favourite of mine from childhood.

I remember Papa reading this to me, tracing the words with his finger as I looked at Jan Brett's illustrations. It's a beautiful story about enchantment and capture, the cages that open when we read, and women who are strong enough to save themselves.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite, my copy of this is very well-loved. The heroine is not only beautiful, but smart too - something that I really appreciated as a child. The illustrations are beautiful, and Porazinska's way with words infuses the Polish tradition into the story while still making it accessible to modern kids.

[Jessica Marcum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture Book: I really liked this story! Any book that promotes literacy IN literacy is good right? I liked that the heroine wasn't just beautiful, she was smart too!