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Luba and the Wren
In this variation on the story of "The Fisherman and His Wife", a young Ukrainian girl must repeatedly return to the wren she has rescued to relay her parents' increasingly greedy demands. Full color.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 24, 1999
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197 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Polacco
101 books1,079 followersPatricia Polacco is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator with around seventy beloved and award-winning books to her credit, including The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, The Blessing Cup, Chicken Sunday, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. She resides in Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 30, 2009
This is a Russian-style (as are some other Polacco books) take on the Grimm Brothers’ tale of The Fisherman And His Wife. I knew what was coming but if I hadn’t the story would have had a lot of suspense.
I ached for Luba, and the wren too, and even a bit for Luba’s foolish and greedy parents. The illustrations perfectly match the progression of the story.
The story itself seems a bit too moralistic to me; I always wish for a reasonable wish, or for the wishes to stop after the first wish, so some improvement in circumstances can occur. I know this is supposed to be a happy tale, but I feel more than a tinge of sadness at its conclusion.
The illustrations are marvelous.
I ached for Luba, and the wren too, and even a bit for Luba’s foolish and greedy parents. The illustrations perfectly match the progression of the story.
The story itself seems a bit too moralistic to me; I always wish for a reasonable wish, or for the wishes to stop after the first wish, so some improvement in circumstances can occur. I know this is supposed to be a happy tale, but I feel more than a tinge of sadness at its conclusion.
The illustrations are marvelous.
June 27, 2011
Reading these earlier Polacco books reafirms my judgement that her 2011 book is grossly subpar. I love this retelling of The Fisherman's Wife.
February 10, 2020
Patricia Polacco, whose autobiographical picture-books, from
Thank You, Mr. Falker
to
Uncle Vova's Tree
, are unfailingly poignant, here turns her attention to the world of folklore, creating in Luba and the Wren a Ukrainian variant of the tale-type best known as The Fisherman and His Wife. When kind-hearted young Luba saves a little wren in the forest, and is offered a reward, her parents are incensed to learn that she didn't ask for a finer house, and more productive farmland, and send her back into the forest to rectify the situation. But when their wish is granted, they soon find that they want more, growing more and more greedy as each new demand is granted...
Although I am generally a fan of Patricia Polacco's work, and found the illustrations in Luba and the Wren as appealing as those in any of the author's other titles, I did have some mixed feelings about it, as a folkloric adaptation. I kept thinking, as I was reading, of the many Russian variants of this tale type that already exist - from Pushkin's The Magic Gold Fish, to The Fisherman and the Magic Fish (which can be found, among other places, in Russian Lacquer, Legends and Fairy Tales ) - and wondering whether Polacco had sought out any genuine Ukrainian versions, before penning her own. This is definitely one that Polacco fans will want to check out, but I can't shake my sense of regret that she didn't show more respect for her source material, and include a little note about the tale, and what version she used for inspiration...
Although I am generally a fan of Patricia Polacco's work, and found the illustrations in Luba and the Wren as appealing as those in any of the author's other titles, I did have some mixed feelings about it, as a folkloric adaptation. I kept thinking, as I was reading, of the many Russian variants of this tale type that already exist - from Pushkin's The Magic Gold Fish, to The Fisherman and the Magic Fish (which can be found, among other places, in Russian Lacquer, Legends and Fairy Tales ) - and wondering whether Polacco had sought out any genuine Ukrainian versions, before penning her own. This is definitely one that Polacco fans will want to check out, but I can't shake my sense of regret that she didn't show more respect for her source material, and include a little note about the tale, and what version she used for inspiration...
July 30, 2012
Polacco's spin on Grimm's "The Fisherman and His Wife" is perhaps more intriguing because it highlights the innocence and strong values of a child. I also enjoyed Isadora's retelling The Fisherman and His Wife.
Luba rescues a Wren and it offers to grant her a wish. She declines, stating she already has everything she needs. When her parents learn of the Wren, the send Luba back repeatedly to grant them larger houses, more land, and eventually more power...they are relentless in their greed. Poor Luba is conflicted and feels horrible for taking advantage of the Wren.
As always, Polacco's illustrations are out-of-this-world good. I adore the framing and intricate detail surrounding the text as well as, the bright bold colors used to highlight the grandness of the parent's wishes.
Luba rescues a Wren and it offers to grant her a wish. She declines, stating she already has everything she needs. When her parents learn of the Wren, the send Luba back repeatedly to grant them larger houses, more land, and eventually more power...they are relentless in their greed. Poor Luba is conflicted and feels horrible for taking advantage of the Wren.
As always, Polacco's illustrations are out-of-this-world good. I adore the framing and intricate detail surrounding the text as well as, the bright bold colors used to highlight the grandness of the parent's wishes.
November 21, 2017
I LOVED this book. I think I'm a sucker for any kind of retold fairy tale though. I really reminded me of the book by Anita Lobel, The Seamstress of Salzburg. A young girl is offered something unimaginable and she is content as she is. Her family is not, and, wishing to please them, she agrees to what is asked of her. I am a new convert to Patricia Polacco and I have to admit, I'm a little bias. We love her Thank you, Mr. Falker book!
March 15, 2014
In this Russian version of Grimm’s The Fisherman and His Wife, Polacco puts a child-centered twist on a classic tale that illustrates the dangers of greed.
One day, Luba frees a Wren stuck in a net and the bird is so grateful for her kindness that it offers her a wish. Luba is content, however, when her poor farmer parents hear of her foolishness, they send her back to the Wren to ask for a bigger house and more land. Embarrassed to return to the Wren, Luba hopes that her parents will be satisfied, but they become filled with greed and continue to demand her to return to the forest and ask the Wren for more.
The illustrations are typical Polacco fashion: freely brushed watercolors in large format. The pages with text are encased in beautifully illustrated frames. The colors are rich and follow the mood as the story progresses.
While I am unfamiliar with the classic folktale of The Fisherman and His Wife, I did enjoy the variant of this story. Patricia Polacco is one of my favorite authors and I usually LOVE anything that she writes, however, I was a little let down with this one. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous as always, but I felt that the ending was a little disconnected when all returned back to how things were in the beginning, leaving me unsure how the parents’ final wish was granted when they asked to become gods?? Regardless, I think the message behind the story is a powerful one and would recommend this book for children ages 9-13. As a teacher, I would use this book in any genre study on traditional literature with upper elementary students. It lends itself for a comparison with a more traditional retelling of Grimm’s classic tale. This book could also be used in a thematic study on books dealing with greed.
One day, Luba frees a Wren stuck in a net and the bird is so grateful for her kindness that it offers her a wish. Luba is content, however, when her poor farmer parents hear of her foolishness, they send her back to the Wren to ask for a bigger house and more land. Embarrassed to return to the Wren, Luba hopes that her parents will be satisfied, but they become filled with greed and continue to demand her to return to the forest and ask the Wren for more.
The illustrations are typical Polacco fashion: freely brushed watercolors in large format. The pages with text are encased in beautifully illustrated frames. The colors are rich and follow the mood as the story progresses.
While I am unfamiliar with the classic folktale of The Fisherman and His Wife, I did enjoy the variant of this story. Patricia Polacco is one of my favorite authors and I usually LOVE anything that she writes, however, I was a little let down with this one. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous as always, but I felt that the ending was a little disconnected when all returned back to how things were in the beginning, leaving me unsure how the parents’ final wish was granted when they asked to become gods?? Regardless, I think the message behind the story is a powerful one and would recommend this book for children ages 9-13. As a teacher, I would use this book in any genre study on traditional literature with upper elementary students. It lends itself for a comparison with a more traditional retelling of Grimm’s classic tale. This book could also be used in a thematic study on books dealing with greed.
February 13, 2019
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January 8, 2026
A beautiful story with a strong moral. The pictures are beautiful.
March 21, 2021
I really like this book but, more importantly, the kids I know LOVE this book! So I’m meeting in the middle and giving it a 4.
I actually live in Ukraine (going on four years now). There is another American family here who’s children I read to often. This one of their absolute favourites and that range in ages 1-19. (There are eight of them and they all love it.)
THE STORY - the story has a VERY Ukrainian/Russian/Soviet feel to the way it reads. It also uses some bigger or smarter words that you didn’t often see in a children’s book. That makes it great for expanding vocabulary. The story is pretty straight forward but it also contains deeper aspects that older readers catch on too but younger readers may miss. An example of this is how the weather changes as the story progresses.
I also appreciate the lesson it offers in, just bc someone in authority tells you too, should you? The same question could apply to peer pressure. Does doing it actually help things or make them worse?
The core lesson is clearly about contentment though.
THE ART - the illustrations are very colourful and lovely and the colors and style is what I’d expect from this region.
LENGTH - this book does have a lot of text so be prepared for that. It is not a quick 2 minute read. I’m a slow reader and it usually takes me 15-30 minutes to get through depending on how much the kids want to stop and look at the pictures.
I actually live in Ukraine (going on four years now). There is another American family here who’s children I read to often. This one of their absolute favourites and that range in ages 1-19. (There are eight of them and they all love it.)
THE STORY - the story has a VERY Ukrainian/Russian/Soviet feel to the way it reads. It also uses some bigger or smarter words that you didn’t often see in a children’s book. That makes it great for expanding vocabulary. The story is pretty straight forward but it also contains deeper aspects that older readers catch on too but younger readers may miss. An example of this is how the weather changes as the story progresses.
I also appreciate the lesson it offers in, just bc someone in authority tells you too, should you? The same question could apply to peer pressure. Does doing it actually help things or make them worse?
The core lesson is clearly about contentment though.
THE ART - the illustrations are very colourful and lovely and the colors and style is what I’d expect from this region.
LENGTH - this book does have a lot of text so be prepared for that. It is not a quick 2 minute read. I’m a slow reader and it usually takes me 15-30 minutes to get through depending on how much the kids want to stop and look at the pictures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2013
In this Russian twist on the tale of the fisherman and his wife, it is a wren that grants wishes to a little girl, Luba, and it is her parents who keep demanding escalating grandeur and power. Polacco's illustrations deftly trace the journey from happy poverty to unsatisfied wealth and back again. The dedication, "For children everywhere, who should be full of joy and free from care," and the epigraph, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21) bring to the forefront the dual moral to Polacco's fable. My favorite part of this variation was the ending, where the family does not end up miserable in their poverty, but instead, "At long last, her parents were happy, and very, very content indeed." The parents learned from their always-respectful daughter that happiness doesn't come from wealth. And this time, the new happy ending improves upon a traditional tale.
December 9, 2014
Walking through the forest, Luba finds a wren trapped in a net. Releasing the tiny bird, she is told that a wish will be granted. Wanting nothing, Luba returns home to parents who are dismayed at her lack of ignorance. Instructing her to go back into the forest and request a larger home with fertile ground, Luba hesitantly asks the wren for this favor.
Upon returning home, she finds a lovely home and surrounding area. Dissatisfied with their new acquisition, Luba is instructed to find the bird once again and to ask for a palace. Hesitantly, she asks the wren for yet another wish.
Week after week, her greedy parents want newer, larger abodes and, now, they want titles and power. Becoming Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, they demand to be God.
As embarrassed and chagrined Luba asks for these things, she knows her parents are missing the mark of happiness.
The illustrations in this book are incredible!
Upon returning home, she finds a lovely home and surrounding area. Dissatisfied with their new acquisition, Luba is instructed to find the bird once again and to ask for a palace. Hesitantly, she asks the wren for yet another wish.
Week after week, her greedy parents want newer, larger abodes and, now, they want titles and power. Becoming Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, they demand to be God.
As embarrassed and chagrined Luba asks for these things, she knows her parents are missing the mark of happiness.
The illustrations in this book are incredible!
April 14, 2015
I adored this story! It ws hard to watch Luba become distressed by the actions of her parents as they steadily became more and more greedy. However, it was all made worth it at the end when Luba's parents realized that Luba was the most precious treasure they had and remembered how important it is to love and care for their child. I would use this book to teach the conflict of man vs. self/society. In the story, Luba's parents are so rude and greedy that it hurts Luba a great deal. The conflict is resolved when all of the parents' wealth is lost and they are able to reorient their priorities. Also, the pictures and imagery in this book are phenomenal. Not only do the color and spread of the images bring the words to life, but also the language used plays a significant role in allowing the reader to feel the same feelings that Luba is feeling in the story.
November 24, 2009
Luba lives with her mother and father on a poor farm. When she saves a wren's life, he offers to give her any wish she wants, but she is content and happy. However, her parents make her ask for a bigger and better farm. That keeps them content for a while, but then they want an even bigger and better place. They make her go back to the wren over and over again, to the chagrin of Luba and annoyance of the wren. This is a story with an important lesson for those who are never being satisfied and what the most important things in life are.
**This would be a great story to tell to middle school kids because that's the age before kids really have a job and get drawn in by all the newer and better things out there and this story discusses what's really important.
**This would be a great story to tell to middle school kids because that's the age before kids really have a job and get drawn in by all the newer and better things out there and this story discusses what's really important.
Want to read
November 17, 2016Awards: Parent's Choice Award (2001)
Appropriate Grade Level: Pre-K to Grade 3
Summary: Luba and the Wren is a Russian-based spin on the tale of The Fisherman and his Wife. As the already content Luba is offered a wish by a wren, she uses it to try to make her parents happy, a state that becomes more difficult as the days go on.
Review: The simple and contented nature of Luba is contrasted with the greediness of her parents in Luba and the Wren. The ending, in which Luba's parents come to realize the goodness in their lives, represents a lesson learned and a triumph over greed.
Classroom Uses: Luba and the Wren would be an excellent mentor text to study character traits (the traits of Luba, for instance, compared to the traits of her parents) or to study theme.
Appropriate Grade Level: Pre-K to Grade 3
Summary: Luba and the Wren is a Russian-based spin on the tale of The Fisherman and his Wife. As the already content Luba is offered a wish by a wren, she uses it to try to make her parents happy, a state that becomes more difficult as the days go on.
Review: The simple and contented nature of Luba is contrasted with the greediness of her parents in Luba and the Wren. The ending, in which Luba's parents come to realize the goodness in their lives, represents a lesson learned and a triumph over greed.
Classroom Uses: Luba and the Wren would be an excellent mentor text to study character traits (the traits of Luba, for instance, compared to the traits of her parents) or to study theme.
March 1, 2011
Beautiful, brilliantly colored illustraions for the Ukraine verison of The Fisherman and His Wife. This verison of the folktale showcases a young peasant girl and an enchanted wren. Luba desires no wishes from the wren, but her greedy parents do. After reading this I prefer it to tne various verisons of The Fisherman and Hids Wife. The child, Luba, is so content with her life--that is so very peaceful and refreshing.
February 16, 2018
Story of a young Ukrainian girl who kindly saves a bird from death; which turns out to be a magical bird who wants to repay the kindness. Even though the girl refused the offer, saying she was already quiet content, her parents demanded she go back and ask the bird for a grander home and lands. The parents insist on this time and time again much to the girl's dismay.
September 18, 2019
This fairy tale like story has to be one of my favorite Patricia Polacco books! Wonderful tale on the value of being content with what you have and why one should stay away from the greed of wanting more, more, MORE! Sometimes the poorer one is, the richer they are in love.
9/17/19 Read this treasure again for our virtue of Thankfulness.
9/17/19 Read this treasure again for our virtue of Thankfulness.
December 20, 2013
4 1/2 - I don't think O really understood this one and I have to say I struggle with the ending and generally if I liked or disliked this story. I felt terrible for the little girl to have such greedy parents... may we all learn to be better people and less greedy.
May 2, 2016
Story of a young Ukrainian girl who kindly saves a bird from death; which turns out to be a magical bird who wants to repay the kindness. Even though the girl refused the offer, saying she was already quiet content, her parents demanded she go back and ask the bird for a grander home and lands.
May 19, 2011
My three year old liked this, but I don't think she quite understands the message about greed.
September 16, 2012
story: 3 stars
art: 1 star
art: 1 star
January 16, 2013
A Ukrainian version of "The Fisherman's Wife," only with a wren instead of a fish. Well-told with Polacco's signature watercolor paintings.
July 12, 2016
Delightful "fairy tale" story by one of my favorite children's authors.
October 13, 2017
The book is beautifully illustrated and the tale is well-told. The ending is a bit disappointing, though.
December 3, 2017
A folktale that reminded me of the fish that is saved and grants wishes. Only in this story it is a wren. Add this to your folktale list.
September 8, 2022
Luba and the Wren by Patricia Polacco Hindi language translation by Ashok Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates a similar story to the story “the Fisherman and his wife”. Luba resides in Ukraine, a part of Russia. In her area, the farmland is rough and even with hard work does bear little harvest barely enough for her parents. One profession adopted by landless people in her area was to poach bird. One day one hunter spread his net and a beautiful Wren was stuck in the net. The Wren was frightened so she shouted for help. Luba was nearby and the hunter was nowhere near the. So, Luba climbs the tree and rescues the Wren from the net. Wren flies away but soon she arrives back and speaks to Luba in a man’s voice. Wren requests Luba to ask for her wish. Luba says that she is content and has no wishes. Still, the Wren promises to grant all of her wishes. Luba arrives home and informs her parents about the incident. Luba's parents convince her to ask for a bigger house with fertile land. Once, this wish is granted, they demand an estate, later on they ask for a palace. With the granting of each wish Luba hopes her parents will be satisfied, but instead they only want more. They request to be made Czar of Russia, then King of the world. Last, they want to be like God. Now, the Wren takes away all that she had granted and on return Luba finds that they are residing in their thatched leaking roof house. But still, her parents are happy. They accept their providence and love Luba. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of ths book. Today's Ukraine has fertile land because of the boon granted by the Wren.
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September 2, 2020This is a tough one! It's a beautiful retelling, with wonderful illustrations, but the moral of the story seems... a bit flat for this day and age. It seems to say that in poverty, we can all find true happiness, and that riches and power won't give us that. Which is true, to some extent! But allowing the poor to have a proper house, good land, and what they need to survive doesn't inspire greed. Even now, I wish I could solve my situation with money. Erasing debt, house repairs, new cars? Being able to afford the best medical care? Money does solve problems and allow us to live happy lives. But this is a beautiful story all the same, and that can definitely be talked about with your child alongside it.
January 21, 2021
I have not been a huge fan of the few Polacco books I have read so far (sorry!), but I loved this one. The illustrations were vibrant yet gentle, the story was an interesting take on a classic tale, and the tension and suspense were masterfully done through both text and illustrations. It had a sweet, straightforward lesson, but also managed to leave room for interpretation and discussion about a topic that doesn't come up frequently in picture books. Will be returning to this one.
August 3, 2018
We really loved this book and read it over and over. My five year old guessed the ending and was relieved when she was correct. We loved looking at the drawings of what it would look like as Russian/Ukrainian peasants went up the social/wealth/power structure. And then returned to their original hard life filled with love for their daughter, Luba.
February 12, 2019
Reading this with a group of 3-7 year olds today. It's a new Patricia Polacco for me, though I love most of her work. I love how she combines the motifs of Russian fairytales with her own twist and a beautiful message about materialism and love. Illustrations are some of her best. Her works are sometimes wordy, but still captivating for groups of kids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews