A LITTLE STORY ABOUT A BIG TURNIP
adapted by Tatiana Zunshine & illustrated by Evgeny Antonenkov
A pedestrian narrative dominates this retelling of a traditional Russian tale of a turnip that grows so large that it can’t be pulled out of the ground until various members of the family—Grandie, Grannie, and Annie (and their pets)—pull and pull and pull. It is their cooperative effort that eventually succeeds in loosening the enormous turnip from the soil. Deep, rich, earth-toned watercolors reflect the events described in the text; the people with their exaggerated features—spider-thin waists, large bottoms, and skinny legs—make the illustrations more cartoonish than pleasant, but they are, nevertheless, the strongest element. This classic is deserving of a more energetic retelling and those abound. (Picture book/folktale. 2-6)