A Strange Servant: A Russian Folktale

by Paul Galdone (Illustrator), Blanche Ross (Translator)

A traditional Russian tale in which a wily beggar cleverly outwits three rich merchants by convincing them that his rabbit is really a magical servant.

36 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Paul Galdone (1907 - November 7, 1986) was a children's literature author and illustrator. He was born in Budapest and he emigrated to the United States in 1921. He studied art at the Art Student's League and New York School for Industrial Design. He served for the US Army during world War II.

He illustrated nearly all of Eve Titus' books including the Basil of Baker Street series which was translated to the screen in the animated Disney film, The Great Mouse Detective.

Galdone and Titus were nominated for Caldecott Medals for Anatole (1957) and Anatole and the Cat (1958). The titles were later named Caldecott Honor books in 1971.

He died of a heart attack in Nyack, New York. He was posthumously awarded the 1996 Kerlan Award for his contribution to children's literature. His retellings of classic tales like "The Little Red Hen" or "Three Billy Goats Gruff" have become staples.

Reviews

[Saffron Moon]

This rating is for the edition translated and adapted by Blanche Ross and illustrated by Paul Galdone.