Walking through the forest, Luba finds a wren trapped in a net. Releasing the tiny bird, she is told that a wish will be granted. Wanting nothing, Luba returns home to parents who are dismayed at her lack of ignorance. Instructing her to go back into the forest and request a larger home with fertile ground, Luba hesitantly asks the wren for this favor.

Upon returning home, she finds a lovely home and surrounding area. Dissatisfied with their new acquisition, Luba is instructed to find the bird once again and to ask for a palace. Hesitantly, she asks the wren for yet another wish.

Week after week, her greedy parents want newer, larger abodes and, now, they want titles and power. Becoming Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, they demand to be God.

As embarrassed and chagrined Luba asks for these things, she knows her parents are missing the mark of happiness.

The illustrations in this book are incredible!

In particular, the gentle face of Luba is stunning. ( )

I really like this book but, more importantly, the kids I know LOVE this book! So I’m meeting in the middle and giving it a 4.

I actually live in Ukraine (going on four years now). There is another American family here who’s children I read to often. This one of their absolute favourites and that range in ages 1-19. (There are eight of them and they all love it.)

THE STORY - the story has a VERY Ukrainian/Russian/Soviet feel to the way it reads. It also uses some bigger or smarter words that you didn’t often see in a children’s book. That makes it great for expanding vocabulary. The story is pretty straight forward but it also contains deeper aspects that older readers catch on too but younger readers may miss. An example of this is how the weather changes as the story progresses.

I also appreciate the lesson it offers in, just bc someone in authority tells you too, should you? The same question could apply to peer pressure. Does doing it actually help things or make them worse?

The core lesson is clearly about contentment though.

THE ART - the illustrations are very colourful and lovely and the colors and style is what I’d expect from this region.

LENGTH - this book does have a lot of text so be prepared for that. It is not a quick 2 minute read. I’m a slow reader and it usually takes me 15-30 minutes to get through depending on how much the kids want to stop and look at the pictures. ( )

The author retells the story of the Fisherman and his Wife with Russian characters. Luba helps a wren who offers to repay her by granting her anything that she wishes. Her parents want to be change their lives to be rich and powerful, but Luba objects. The lesson is "be careful what you wish for." It might not bring you the happiness you are seeking. This story will appeal to young readers because the main character is a child. In this story she knows more about the simplicity of true happiness than her parents, but cannot convince them.The author also is the illustrator. she has depicted scenes from the story is bright watercolors. The images evoke Russia and Russian culture in the 1800s from the style of the buildings to the clothing worn by the characters.

This book is about a little Ukrainian girl who finds a magical wren who grants wishes. Because she wants for nothing, Luba asks the Wren to grant her parents wishes, which are selfish and power-thirsty. This is a great book with beautiful illustrations of historical Ukraine. At one point, this book is quite scary and readers will want to turn the pages to see what happens next. Patricia Polacco never fails. ( )

4 1/2 - I don't think O really understood this one and I have to say I struggle with the ending and generally if I liked or disliked this story. I felt terrible for the little girl to have such greedy parents... may we all learn to be better people and less greedy. ( )