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Peter and the Wolf
"How many times have I told you never to leave the gate open?" Grandfather asks Peter. "What would you do if one day a wolf came out of the forest?" But hardly has he spoken these words, when a lean and hungry wolf comes slinking from the cover of the trees...Selina Hastings has taken this oft-told traditional story, perhaps most famous for being set to a dramatic score by Prokofiev, and breathed new life into it. Accompanied by Reg Cartwright's striking illustrations of the cold, forested landscape, this is a truly captivating version.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 29, 2022
Poor wolf
September 5, 2025
A retelling of the Orchestral Tale by Sergei Prokofiev about the boy named Peter who used his wits to snare and capture a wolf that had terrorizing the surrounding countryside and nearb. village
February 26, 2016
Title: Peter and the Wolf
Author: Sergei Prokofiev
Illustrator: Charles Mikolaycak
Genre: European Folktale
Theme(s): Animals, hunting, bravery
Opening line/sentence: "Early one morning Peter opened the gate and walked out into the big green meadow."
Brief Book Summary: Peter is watching his friend the bird quarreling with the duck. His grandfather warns him to come into the gate, for fear that a wolf is lurking. The wolf appears and eats the duck. Peter comes up with an idea to capture the wolf and enlists the bird's help. Together, they capture the wolf and hunters take it away to the zoo.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: From Publishers Weekly
Prokofiev's orchestral tale, also retold this season by Selena Hastings (Forecasts, Sept. 11), here has a simple text and provocative illustrations that seem perfectly directed to the temperament and perception of young readers. As Peter steps out of the garden gate, the bird is introduced to the story, then the duck, the cat, the grandfather and,finally, the wolf. Of course, it is Peter's fearless feat brings this tale to its heroic finale.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Children's Literature - Kristin Harris
The classic story is set in the great northern woods. Peter lives with his grandfather in a fortress to protect them from the dangers of the woods, specifically the wolf. One morning, Peter plays with the cat, the duck and the bird in the meadow outside the gate. As soon as Peter goes back inside, the wolf appears and goes after the duck. Peter sees it all from the window, and must go back outside and help his friends. They manage to tie up the wolf, just as the hunters come to shoot it. Peter suggests that they take him to the zoo, and that is what they do, via wheelbarrow.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Neither of the reviewer's note Miklaycak's illustrations, which fits the setting of the story. The bold colors and paint strokes fit the action of the story and present it well. Neither reviewer mentioned the choppiness of the story, which may have occurred in the translation by Maria Carlson.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The author uses his own style to write dialogue for the animals in the book. The bird and duck argue with one another and Peter is able to understand them. There is no figurative language used to exaggerate elements of the story, as the plot structure is pretty simple.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Because this story was adapted from a musical, I would do a musical activity alongside the book. I would have children pick instruments or sounds that they felt represented a character or piece of the story and play it with the reading. For example, when the wolf is stalking its prey (the duck), the students could use a drum to make a "bum, bum, bummmm" sound to portray the tension.
Author: Sergei Prokofiev
Illustrator: Charles Mikolaycak
Genre: European Folktale
Theme(s): Animals, hunting, bravery
Opening line/sentence: "Early one morning Peter opened the gate and walked out into the big green meadow."
Brief Book Summary: Peter is watching his friend the bird quarreling with the duck. His grandfather warns him to come into the gate, for fear that a wolf is lurking. The wolf appears and eats the duck. Peter comes up with an idea to capture the wolf and enlists the bird's help. Together, they capture the wolf and hunters take it away to the zoo.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: From Publishers Weekly
Prokofiev's orchestral tale, also retold this season by Selena Hastings (Forecasts, Sept. 11), here has a simple text and provocative illustrations that seem perfectly directed to the temperament and perception of young readers. As Peter steps out of the garden gate, the bird is introduced to the story, then the duck, the cat, the grandfather and,finally, the wolf. Of course, it is Peter's fearless feat brings this tale to its heroic finale.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Children's Literature - Kristin Harris
The classic story is set in the great northern woods. Peter lives with his grandfather in a fortress to protect them from the dangers of the woods, specifically the wolf. One morning, Peter plays with the cat, the duck and the bird in the meadow outside the gate. As soon as Peter goes back inside, the wolf appears and goes after the duck. Peter sees it all from the window, and must go back outside and help his friends. They manage to tie up the wolf, just as the hunters come to shoot it. Peter suggests that they take him to the zoo, and that is what they do, via wheelbarrow.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Neither of the reviewer's note Miklaycak's illustrations, which fits the setting of the story. The bold colors and paint strokes fit the action of the story and present it well. Neither reviewer mentioned the choppiness of the story, which may have occurred in the translation by Maria Carlson.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The author uses his own style to write dialogue for the animals in the book. The bird and duck argue with one another and Peter is able to understand them. There is no figurative language used to exaggerate elements of the story, as the plot structure is pretty simple.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Because this story was adapted from a musical, I would do a musical activity alongside the book. I would have children pick instruments or sounds that they felt represented a character or piece of the story and play it with the reading. For example, when the wolf is stalking its prey (the duck), the students could use a drum to make a "bum, bum, bummmm" sound to portray the tension.
September 27, 2021
There are perfectly good versions in German language already in existence, so why anybody would employ google translate to create this kind of hash I've no idea.
"Eines Tages wird die Verbindung Gate war offen, so schlenderte eine Ente in. Er fing an, in den Teich schwimmen."
Oh well, what can you expect. Don't buy, don't read.
"Eines Tages wird die Verbindung Gate war offen, so schlenderte eine Ente in. Er fing an, in den Teich schwimmen."
Oh well, what can you expect. Don't buy, don't read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews