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Oom Razoom, or, Go I Know Not Where, Bring Back I Know Not What: A Russian Tale
A retelling of an old Russian tale of Alexis the king's archer, his beautiful and magical wife Olga, and their adventures
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1991
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Diane Wolkstein
43 books36 followersDiane Wolkstein was a folklorist and author of children's books. She also served as New York City's official storyteller from 1968–1971.
As New York's official storyteller, Wolkstein visited two of the city's parks each weekday, staging hundreds of one-woman storytelling events. After successfully talking her way into the position, she realized "there was no margin for error," she said in a 1992 interview. "I mean, it was a park. [The children would] just go somewhere else if they didn't like it."
She also had a radio show on WNYC, Stories From Many Lands, from 1968 until 1980, and she helped create the Storytelling Center of New York City.
Wolkstein authored two dozen books, primarily collections of folk tales and legends she gathered during research trips. She made many visits to China, Haiti and Africa.
Wolkstein was born in Newark, New Jersey and grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her father Henry was an accountant and her mother Ruth was a librarian. She received a bachelor's degree from Smith College and a master's degree in education from Bank Street College of Education. While living in Paris, she studied mime under Étienne Decroux.
Wolkstein was in Taiwan to research a book of Chinese folk stories when she underwent emergency surgery for a heart condition. She died in the city of Kaohsiung at the age of 70.
As New York's official storyteller, Wolkstein visited two of the city's parks each weekday, staging hundreds of one-woman storytelling events. After successfully talking her way into the position, she realized "there was no margin for error," she said in a 1992 interview. "I mean, it was a park. [The children would] just go somewhere else if they didn't like it."
She also had a radio show on WNYC, Stories From Many Lands, from 1968 until 1980, and she helped create the Storytelling Center of New York City.
Wolkstein authored two dozen books, primarily collections of folk tales and legends she gathered during research trips. She made many visits to China, Haiti and Africa.
Wolkstein was born in Newark, New Jersey and grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her father Henry was an accountant and her mother Ruth was a librarian. She received a bachelor's degree from Smith College and a master's degree in education from Bank Street College of Education. While living in Paris, she studied mime under Étienne Decroux.
Wolkstein was in Taiwan to research a book of Chinese folk stories when she underwent emergency surgery for a heart condition. She died in the city of Kaohsiung at the age of 70.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 3, 2020
When the king sees Olga, the wife of Alexis the archer, he is struck by her beauty, and devises a cunning plan to rid himself of his rival and claim her for himself. Dispatched to "I know not where," and ordered to bring back "I know not what," Alexis is in despair, until Olga gives him her handkerchief and a magical ball to follow. With the aid of these items, his magical in-laws, a talking frog, and the invisible servant, Oom Razoom, Alexis eventually returns in triumph...
I've encountered this story before, in various collections of Russian folklore, and although it is by no means my favorite tale from this tradition, I usually find it quite enjoyable. Unfortunately, although Wolkstein's retelling is competent enough, I was distracted and irritated by Dennis McDermott's illustrations, and am forced to agree with the School Library Journal reviewer, who observes that they are too western in style. Perhaps I've simply been spoiled by all the lovely Bilibin editions I own, but I just couldn't seem to work up any enthusiasm for this version. Definitely a title I would only recommend to Russian folklore enthusiasts with a completist streak.
I've encountered this story before, in various collections of Russian folklore, and although it is by no means my favorite tale from this tradition, I usually find it quite enjoyable. Unfortunately, although Wolkstein's retelling is competent enough, I was distracted and irritated by Dennis McDermott's illustrations, and am forced to agree with the School Library Journal reviewer, who observes that they are too western in style. Perhaps I've simply been spoiled by all the lovely Bilibin editions I own, but I just couldn't seem to work up any enthusiasm for this version. Definitely a title I would only recommend to Russian folklore enthusiasts with a completist streak.
September 18, 2018
Stunning illustrations make this classic Russian fairy tale exceptional. A thought occurs to me: we often talk about how fairy tales end "happily ever after," but consider that the archer and his wife were apart from each other for 18 YEARS. There's bound to be a lot of suffering and sadness and loneliness in all of that. And there is certainly a lot of suffering in a lot of fairy tales. I suppose that they end well and often real life doesn't is a part of the appeal...
December 19, 2015
A light retelling of a Russian fairy tale. One where the marriage of the hero -- to a blue pigeon that turned into a woman -- is how things start, because the tsar then sends him off to get -- well, you can guess from the title -- to leave his wife alone and defenseless.
Nice illustrations, too.
Nice illustrations, too.
July 25, 2020
We love fairy tales in our home and we have not come across this one before. It has everything you want in a fairy tale, action and adventure, magic and a fair princess. I liked the compassion and consideration the hero showed for others and the reoccurring message I feel is a good one. “Be of good cheer, trust in God, go to sleep. The morning is wiser than the evening.”
May 5, 2024
Interesting.
March 25, 2009
This was a fun story. The pictures were bright and cheerful. I loved the part of "going to I Know Not Where and to bring back I Know Not What."
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews