THE GOOD STEPMOTHER

Boris Zakhoder, a well-known writer for children in the Soviet Union"" was the original author of this pleasant tale about a princess who devises a unique way to select a stepmother. The king, afraid of getting a dud (""I would be heartbroken if I were to choose a bad stepmother""), agrees that the choice will be Elena's. She decrees that contestants will make themselves wedding gowns--but the real test is the tiny bandage that Elena secretly puts on her own finger: the maiden who notices that she's hurt is sure to be a loving wife and kind mother. Attractive realistic illustrations round out a story that will be welcomed as much for its contemporary theme as for its traditional setting.