(4) K-3 Illustrated by Vladimir Vagin. On Christmas Eve, the toys beneath the Carrolls' tree come noisily alive and start making trouble. Luckily the cookie angel atop the tree comes to life, too; by singing Christmas music, she manages to calm the toys down and avoid disaster. The inexperienced but well-intentioned angel is an appealing character; detailed illustrations portray her adventures with humor, though human figures are awkwardly rendered.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Vladimir Vagin. In a note, Yolen describes Baba Yaga, lists key sources, then adds that she herself created this tale. When a girl finds herself scheduled as Baba Yaga's next meal, she sends the hungry crone to buy turnips from her father, and he follows the witch back to the chicken-footed hut. Vagin's Disney-bright art features a dramatically beaked witch just scary enough to add tension to the brisk, cheerful, and entertainingly updated narrative.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2004

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Vladimir Vagin. Yolen uses quiet humor and well-chosen descriptors to retell the story of the ballet based on the Russian tale in which the magic Firebird rescues a prince from an evil wizard. Vagin's colorful, detailed illustrations portray the action of the story, while artwork along the bottom of each spread follows the ballet from the overture to the final pas de deux. An author's note on the folktale and the ballet includes sources.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Vladimir Vagin. Princess Miranda receives the gift of being wide awake--which enables her to observe many things in her anonymous travels through her kingdom, working alongside the peasants and encouraging them to revolt against the greedy nobles. The pointed message about compassion and perception overshadows the too-long story, while Vagin's colorful, though awkward, illustrations give the tale a European flavor.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) K-3 The familiar song has been treated to detailed period illustrations showing a young couple strolling through the woods and barns of an estate. They encounter the partridge and other birds on their walks, while the less sedate later verses are part of a Christmas carnival. Close inspection of the illustrations reveals many humorous touches. Included are a note on the origins of the song and the melody with guitar chords.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Vladimir Vagin. Celia undertakes a perilous journey to obtain a vial of sweet, sweet water from the well in the village of her mother's childhood; her mother is dying, and both think the water is the only thing that might revive her. The smooth, well-worn cadences, memorable turns of phrase, and familiar structural elements are reminiscent of a beloved, oft-told traditional tale. Vagin's figures are sometimes stiff; his scenery is more successful.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn