The Little Straw Bull: A Ukrainian Folk Tale

by Irina Zheleznova (Translator), David Khaikin (Illustrator)

In this old folktale, an industrious but poor old woman creates a little bull out of straw, smears it with tar to look realistic, and finds that it brings prosperity to her and her hardworking husband.

12 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Irina Lvovna Zheleznova

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

An impoverished old couple find that their fortune changes for the better, when the woman requests that her husband make her a little straw bull, covered in tar. This unusual "livestock" helps to capture a bear, wolf and fox, each of whom bargains for his freedom by promising certain blessings in exchange...

Printed in 1974, by Moscow-based Progress Publishers, The Little Straw Bull is one of many picture-books published in the former Soviet Union, meant to present the folklore of that country to the English-speaking world. Although I am generally quite enthusiastic when encountering an unfamiliar folktale, this title left me feeling rather indifferent. I'm glad to add it to my store of knowledge, but I couldn't say that I particularly enjoyed it, either for the story, or for Haikin's illustrations.

[হাঁটুপানির জলদস্যু · Rating 2 out of 5]

একেবারেই সাধারণ গল্প। কিন্তু অলংকরণের গুণে উতরে গেছে।