The Tale of the Firebird

by Gennady Spirin, Tatiana Popova (Translator)

In all the world there is said to be nothing more beautiful than the Firebird. When Ivan-Tsarevitch, youngest son of the Tsar, goes on a quest for the amazing bird, he finds himself flying over mountains and woods on a talking wolf, confronting a wicked Baba Yaga, and rescuing an enchanted princess from Koshchei the Immortal. But when he returns from his magical journey, he brings home the most precious treasure of all.

Gennady Spirin brings this original version of the Firebird tale from his native Russia and has illustrated it in his trademark rich, luminous style. This retelling of a classic is sure to become the new standard.

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Russia, Art

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2002

About the author

Gennady Spirin (1948- ) is a Russian painter and children's book illustrator. A graduate of the Surikov School of Fine Art in Moscow and the Moscow Stroganov Institute of Art, he is noted for his unique style of watercolor illustration. He has illustrated works by classic authors such as William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy as well as children's books by contemporary celebrities. His oil paintings hang in public and private galleries throughout the world, and he has been profiled by The New York Times. His depiction of The Nutcracker was selected by Saks Fifth Avenue as the centerpiece of their famous Christmas display in 1997 and 1998. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992, Spirin immigrated with his wife and sons to the United States, ultimately settling in Princeton, NJ, where he has lived and worked since.

(source: Wikipedia)


Alternate spellings:
Gennadij Spirin
Gennadi Spirin
Генадий Спирин
ガナディ・スピリン

Reviews

[Mir]

This prettily-illustrated version of the Firebird story emphasizes the magical elements and the positive roles of friendship, love, and courage. Baba Yaga makes an appearance, testing the prince, and the elements of treachery and jealousy are subtracted. The foreign potentates are pretty nice considering Ivan is caught burglarizing their homes, and the kidnapped beauty is a sister so there is no obstacle to her and Ivan marrying. Everybody gets the thing they wanted and is happy with it.

[Marquise · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite rendition of this Russian folktale. I found it curious that Spirin would make the magical Firebird to be somewhat reminiscent of a peacocky bird.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story. This story contains many nuances and similitudes of positive and even spiritual lessons. We enjoyed pointing these out. The illustrations were gorgeous too. Definitely a great book for read-aloud time.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 3 out of 5]

The images, as usual with art by Gennady Spirin are lush and magical. The tale however is long, convoluted and exceedingly difficult to follow. This is a story of a Tsar named Vasilyi. He had three sons. When it is discovered that the golden apples are stolen from the lush gardens. It is the elusive Firebird that is the culprit. Because of the beauty, the Tsar feels he must possess the Firebird.

Send each of his sons out to bring back the Firebird, The son Ivan Tsarevich comes upon a wolf to help him on the quest. Each time he is given a mission he is told not to touch that which he longs. Not only does the son want to capture the Firebird, but he also longs for the love of the beautiful Yelena. In the end through dedication and cunning, Ivan Tsarevich is successful in his quest.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another story with Baba Yaga, like another we recently read in Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave. I feel like I have entered an entire new world of fairy tales I never knew about in this Russian folklore.

Our library has a good copy, so I'm not sure if this is an absolute must purchase, or a borrow book. But I'm pretty sure I'd buy it if I found the right price. -------
Note to self. Bought from ThriftBooks.com, wonderful discounts!!

Now own two copies. Haha.
Read again to al four kiddos. 11/16/17

[Plethora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this too quick of a jumble of various fables/tales from Russian culture. We raced along and even when Ivan-Tsarevitch disobeyed it was merely a mention with it really not being a setback. No struggles to live happily ever after at the end.

The artwork was beautiful.

[Iamaby En · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not my favourite retelling of the Firebird tale, but I did enjoy the illustrations.

[Ann Cathey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful blending of three magical Russian folktales, with unexpactedly beautiful watercolor based illustrations by the author. Apparently translated to English from the author's original tongue.

This is the tale of a prince who makes a promise and holds to it, even though it leads him on various misadventures along the way. Ultimately, he manages to make everyone happy, including himself. While suh a happy ending is a standard feature in American juvenile fiction, having folktales from a non-American background winding up the same way is serendipitous.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very beautiful book.
✨✨✨✨✨

[Samantha Penrose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this story uninteresting, and all over the place.
The author's note in the back mentions that this story was adapted from three different Russian fairy tales (Ivan-Tsarevitch and the gray wolf, Baba Yaga, and Koshchei the Immortal) perhaps that's why it feels so random....I don't know. I was disappointed.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward tale with a slightly misleading title. The book follows the journey of a prince; I would consider the Firebird an afterthought. Incredible illustration and the reason I'd give it 3 stars.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was rather lackluster, but the illustrations are a joy to look at.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations with lots of little details to notice in the margins. I like the traditional Russian clothing and style. A good length, and easy to read.

[Mary Kay Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

target audience - read to small Children or for 3-6th grade

Hero summary - The russian king is worried about missing fruit in his garden. He sends his three sons to discover the trouble, and his youngest Ivan sees a firebird. Ivan then travels to exiotic and magical places to find the firebird, each time making promises to complete the intricate story. He discovers many beautiful an magical treasures, and learns to take advice and falls in love with a beautiful princess. All works out in the end.

strengths/weaknesses - This book inspires magical visions and fantastic powers. There is a wolf who flys and turns into a war horse. He is boiled in a kettle and arrives in a cool spring that reveals a might sword. It is a mix of three russian folktales that seem tried and true, not much new story here, they are all replays of older stories.

personal critique - I would recommend this book during the winter season, it is full of beautiful illustrations of glittering golden objects. Lavish and intricate images of flying a wolf and an ornately robed prince. It is a folktale, but with fantasy overtones. It would be fun on a snowy day, with sparkling ornaments and steaming cups of hot chocolate.

illustrations - This is a Picture-book, large pages, and while there are frames for th actions there are beautiful decorations around the text which add to the opulent feeling of the images.
optional:

notable awards - The illustrator is the author and has received many awards and four Gold Medals for the Society of Illustrators. The New York Times and many others have noted it as Best Illustrated book of the year.

whether a title could be used in a lesson plan? I would use it in grade school in the winter time, as an entertaining example of a folktale, and inspire students to create their own folktale and illustrate it.

[vin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is absolutely gorgeous. As a tale, it could use some updating. The message is there (love is eternal, evil is not), but the plot and sense are not. But it's a classic tale, so maybe it's for the better it's being presented this way. There are classic tales that need much more updating (original Sleeping Beauty, for example). But as an educational tale - the main hero does stupid things and is being saved by his sidekick, the Wolf, all the time, for no real reason except the first time, while getting no thanks and no praise. And the prince gets rewarded for pretty much nothing. Except entering a cauldron in Baba Yaga's hut, which was the first time he actually listened to the dawned Wolf. The Wolf should be rewarded the Princess and the Kingdom, but oh well ;) It was still a fun adventure that should be admired mostly for art anyway, so it was great!

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are amazing - they are what really make this book standout. The story itself is a mix of traditional Russian folktales. But there's tons of details in the pictures that are really worth appreciating.

While it might be fun to add this to a fairytale-themed storytime or program, it's not one of the first I'd choose for it. With all the detail in the pictures, it's best appreciated one-on-one where a child (or an adult reader!) can appreciate them up close. You just would be able to appreciate as much in a larger audience. I'd definitely recommend it to some of my fairytale-and-mythology-loving patrons though!

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spirin's illustrations are basically a cross between Waterhouse and K.Y. Craft. His translator, Tatiana Popova, also deserves praise, as it is an easy take to follow while still compelling. It just does not get better than this love triangle of Baba Yaga, Koshchei the Immortal, and Ivan-Tsarevitch and the Gray Wolf. Sure, there's love at first sight and disobedient heroes and overly helpful sidekicks and nameless brothers, but for the target audience, I doubt that's a sticking point.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are just gorgeous! And the 3-year-old listened to me read it through several times while we had it out from the library. I did occasionally help him figure out what was going on, but he really identified with the Ivan Tsaravich's main character flaw of just having to touch things he is told not to, so over all it was a win.

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t like the tired trope of falling in love at first sight. What I did like though was that even though Ivan-Tsarvitch made mistakes, he found ways to turn those mistakes to good. I love a proper story of resilience, and this one fits the bill. Are there a lot of convenient things? Sure— but it IS a fairytale after all.

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 1 out of 5]

A conglomeration of various Russian fairy tales but the main character was neither compelling nor heroic. The writing was stiff which might have been due to poor translation and the illustrations were nice but a little bit flat.

[Iper Junberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable mix of three Russian fairytales, and one that does NOT demonize wolves. The illustrations are beautiful, the story clear. Highly recommend for anyone wanting exposure to the lore of other cultures.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This upper level picture book for complexity and length features several adventures between a young price and a wolf who discover evil, love and beauty.

[Jessie Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the loyalty and help of the wolf. I’d definitely be interested to read a more comprehensive version of this story. The illustrations were pretty.

[Mrs. Ruigrok · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book weaves three fairy tales together. The illustrations are stunning.

[Camila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fascinating tale. I am definitely interested in finding out more about the Wolf and Koshchei the Immortal

[Miss December · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific story and illustrations. So glad I read this one- wish I had this as a kid. Baba Yaga!!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations

[Rodopa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated but did not think it was necessary to mash three folk tales into one - it was somewhat confusing for those of us who have read all three.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations were so beautiful!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. I enjoyed the retelling, although I didn’t realize it until the end when I read the Author’s note, that he combined 3 Russian Folktales into this one book.