VASSILISA THE WISE -A Tale of Medieval Russia

by Josepha Sherman, Daniel San Souci (Illustrator)

A clever and beautiful woman uses her wits to get her husband out of Prince Vladimir's prison.

Genres: Picture Books, Russia, Folklore, Childrens, Fairy Tales

Hardcover

First published April 1, 1988

About the author

Josepha Sherman was an American author, folklorist, and anthologist. In 1990 she won the Compton Crook Award for the novel The Shining Falcon.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her husband is thrown in the king's dungeon for bragging, it's up to Vassilisa to use her wiles to get him out. An interesting tale of feminine ingenuity that makes me wonder if this is the same Vassilisa who tangled with Baba Yaga in another book I read.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman, Vassilisa, must come up with a plan to free her husband held captive in a dungeon after he boasts to the Prince that his wife is more beautiful than any woman in his court and wiser than the Prince himself. Vassilisa dresses as a nobleman from the most feared enemy of the Prince (the Tartars) and sets off to the court with a plan. The Prince's niece does not believe Vassili (a/k/a Vassilisa) is a male and tells the Prince to test the visitor. First, Vassili is encouraged to wrestle the Prince's finest warrior because wrestling is a favorite sport of the Tartars. Next, Vassili is challenged to a match with a bow and arrow. And finally, the Prince himself challenges Vassili to a game of chess. Surely everyone knows a woman could never win at wrestling, archery or chess. Wink, wink. This is a fun read for feminists. We read this to complement our middle ages history lesson about Russians.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing children's book in which all the men are pretty idiots.

[Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vassilisa is the hero. She does the saving.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet.

[Anne Nydam · Rating 4 out of 5]

See a review of this book in my blog post about feminist fantasy picture books.

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd heard of Vassilisa the Wise, but hadn't read the story before this. Quite enjoyed it.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely folktale from Russia.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful telling of this folktale where right triumphs over corrupt power. Beautiful illustrations as well.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story - pictures are good, but not great.