This richly illustrated collection includes five popular Russian folk tales: Vasilisa the Beautiful; Maria Morevna; The Feather of Finist the Falcon; The Frog-Tsarevna; Tsarevich Ivan, the Firebird and the Grey Wolf. The illustrations featured in this edition were created in the early 20th century by Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin, a famous Russian illustrator and stage designer, who was inspired by Slavic folklore throughout his career. He was a prominent figure in the artistic movement Mir Iskusstva and contributed to the Ballets Russes. The tales were recorded by the renowned folklorist Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev (1826-1871), who collected and published more than 600 Russian folk tales in the middle 19th century.

The book is aimed to assist students, scholars and others wishing to improve their language skills in Russian or English. Allow yourself to be swept away into the enchanted world of old Russia. Five of Russia's best fairy tales are offered in this new translation of Aleksandr Afanasyev's prose. Meet such time-honored characters as the Firebird, Baba Yaga, Vasilisa the Beautiful, and Koshchey--the frightening monster who is vanquished by the brave Ivan Tsarevich. Children and adults alike are enchanted by these tales, and each provides an opportunity to discuss choices and consequences. This new volume includes classic artwork in brilliant colors from Ivan Bilibin, illustrator and stage designer for Ballets Russes. Dive into these delightfully illustrated tales--you will not be disappointed