WOW – Fiction Books from Russia
Kalman, E. (1994). Tchaikovsky discovers America. Ill. Laura Fernandez and Rick
Jacobson. New York: Orchard Books. ISBN – 0-531-06894-3, unpaged.
CD enclosed. Includes narrative accompanied by Tchaikovksy’s music.
We chose this book because it is based on a fictional Russian immigrant experience blended with
a historical account of the American visit of the famous Russian composer, Peter Tchaikovsky.
Fictional eleven-year-old Jenny Petroff, from a Russian immigrant family, journals about her
encounter with Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky on his historically documented 1891 journey to
America. They share a shyness and a love of music and ballet and he tells her about his
fascination and love of America but his longing and homesickness for his beloved homeland,
Russia. This is a lovely story of adapting to the reality of the present and future, but honoring
the memories of home and heritage and identity and past:
“Well, now we must part, Eugenia Dmitrievna-or should I call you Miss Jenny?”
“Either,” I said. “Both. I’m American,… but I am Russian, too.”
The illustrations capture the time and the spirit and support the text well. This is a delightful read
and particularly nice accompanied by the masterful strains of Tschikovsky’s music!
Polacco, P. (1993). Babushka baba yaga. New York: Philomel. ISBN 0-698-11633-X,
unpaged.
We chose this book because it is based on a common character of Russian folklore, characterizes
this usual disreputable creature of the forest with positive traits, and it’s told and illustrated by
Patricia Polacco, need I say more?
Baba Yaga (feared legendary creature of the forest) so longed to be a babushka (grandmother).
She cleaned the forest from her skin, covered her pointy ears with a scarf and was accepted in the
circle of babushkas. Poor Victor had no babushka to love and care for him so Baba Yaga moved
in and cooked and cleaned and cared and loved the family and they loved her in return. Then
one day the terrible stories about baba yagas started being told to the children and she had to
return to the forest before she was found out. Much later, a pack of wolves threatened Victor in
the forest but he was saved by Baba Yaga and she was returned, much-loved and a hero. The
lesson is summed up succinctly by one of the babushkas, “Those who judge one another on what
they hear or see, and not on what they know of them in their hearts, are fools indeed!” It’s
Patricia Polacco. Of course, it is well-told and delightfully and authentically illustrated.
Note: A couple of scenes might be a bit scary for the very young.
Possible website: http://www.patriciapolacco.com/books/babayaga/index.html
Muth, John J., (2002). The Three Questions. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 13: 978-0439-19996-4, unpaged.
We chose this book because it is based on a story of the Russian author, Leo Tolstoy and is told
in a child-appropriate format.
Nikolai wants to be a good person and asks himself three questions that will help him know what
to do: What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing
to do? He seeks counsel from the wise old turtle. Without telling and through a series of
circumstances, the turtle helps him to experience the answers to his own questions. The tale is
told simply but with depth, and could create thoughtful discourse among older children as well as
young. Muth’s watercolor paintings are just right for the images of the actual story, but the
ethereal nature of the thinking, as well.
Polacco, Patricia, (1988). Rechenka’s Eggs. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 0-399-215018, 32 pgs.
All winter Babushka painted her beautiful eggs that won her first prize each year at the Easter
Festival. One day she rescued a goose who had been shot by hunters and named her Rechenka.
She nursed her back to health and Rechenka gave her a breakfast egg each morning. But, alas,
Rechenka accidentally broke the eggs that Babushka had painted. Miraculously, the next
morning the most beautiful egg Babushka had ever seen was found in Rechenka’s basket and one
each of the next eleven days! Babushka would get to go to the Festival after all! But,
brokenhearted, she knew she had to let the wild creature free and when she returned home with
the grand prize, her friend was gone. However, an ever so small sound from Rechenka’s basket
awakened her from her sleep and the last egg she left was the most extraordinary gift of all! This
tale of caring and sharing and putting other’s needs before your own is told simply and
beautifully and Patricia Polacco’s illustrations are nothing short of exquisite and perfect for the
telling of this tale.
We have included Rechenka’s Eggs to highlight an author of Russian descent and to share
a well-written and delightful story set in Russia.
Possible questions/strategies:
Common Core Standard Alignment
www.corestandards.org
Before reading:
 What do you notice about the title? The
illustration?

What do you think the book might be about?
(What do readers do before they ever open the
book?)
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
7. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse
media and formats, including visually and
quantitatively, as well as in words.*
Key Ideas and Details
1. Read closely to determine what the text says
explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite
specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to
support conclusions drawn from the text.
During reading:
 What do you think is going to happen?
 Has your prediction been confirmed or
changed? What information from the text
supports your thinking? (How do you know?)
 What do you notice about the illustrations?
After reading:
 What surprised you in the book?
 What was your favorite part of the book?
 Retell or summarize the story.
Key Ideas and Details
1. Read closely to determine what the text says
explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite
specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to
support conclusions drawn from the text.
Key Ideas and Details
2. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and
analyze their development; summarize the key
supporting details and ideas.

Write or tell the sequel. What do you think
happens next?
Key Ideas and Details

Has anything happened to you that reminds
you of this story?
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

Does this remind you of any other story that
you know? How so?
Illustrate your favorite part of the story.


1. Read closely to determine what the text says
explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite
specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to
support conclusions drawn from the text.
9. Analyze how two or more texts address similar
themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to
compare the approaches the authors take.
Key Ideas and Details
Illustrate (or write) what you think is the most
Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze
important part of the story. Why?
their development; summarize the key supporting
details and ideas.
 What do you think is the big idea the author
wants you to take away from this story?
(theme)
Rereadings
Using context, what do some of the vocabulary
Craft and Structure
words mean? (i.e. faltered, crumpled)
4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a
How did the author help you to understand the text, including determining technical, connotative, and
figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word
Russian words she used? (Babushka lived
choices shape meaning or tone.
alone in a dacha, a little house in the
country,…)
Websites of POSSIBLE interest:
Info. about pysanky eggs:
http://www.mistymills.com/eggs.html#whatare
Associated with Easter, but could be adapted for generic purposes:
http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_130.shtml
http://www.patriciapolacco.com/