The Blue Bird's Palace

by Orianne Lallemand, Carole Henaff (Illustrator)

Overview

When Natasha makes a selfish choice, she finds herself trapped in a lavish but lonely palace, far from her widowed father. Will she find a way to escape and see her father again? This poignant tale, inspired by Russian folklore, will help start conversations about the importance of family.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782859116
Publisher:	Barefoot Books
Publication date:	02/01/2020
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.75(w) x 10.35(h) x 0.12(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

Editorial Reviews

07/18/2016
In this lavishly illustrated tale from Lallemand (The Wolf Who Wanted to Change His Color), inspired by Russian folklore, a materialistic and tempestuous young woman named Natasha, “sweet as sunshine if she got her own way, savage as a storm if she did not,” strikes a magical bargain with an elderly woman, receiving a palace that she can bend to her wishes, but never leave. During her exile, Natasha begins to miss the widowed father she left behind and recognize “what it meant to live in hardship,” awakening to her shortsighted selfishness. Rendered in a folk art style, Hénaff’s ornate acrylics recall embroidered textiles, ornamented with curling vines, flowers, and plants. While Natasha’s change in temperament happens somewhat abruptly, this remains an evocative, allegorical story about becoming trapped by one’s desires. Ages 5–10. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

12/01/2016
Gr 1–3-Natasha, a young girl living in the Blue Forest, has a life filled with love and joy. After her mother falls ill and dies, her father spoils Natasha in his grief. Although she is surrounded by beauty and luxury, the girl has an insatiable desire for more. The story is translated from a Russian tale and encapsulates the tone and feel of traditional folktales: "By the time she was sixteen, Natasha was truly beautiful. But she could change as suddenly as the weather—sweet as sunshine if she got her own way, savage as a storm if she did not." The illustrations, full-bleed acrylic depictions, with extravagant folk-style detail, bring Natasha's whimsical experience to life. With elements reminiscent of "The Fisherman and His Wife," this story will remind children that they should be careful what they wish for! VERDICT This fun read with beautiful artwork will enhance any unit on folktales.-Megan Egbert, Meridian Library District, ID

School Library Journal

2016-06-28
Natasha, deprived of maternal love by her mother’s death but adored by her farmer father, grows into a selfish young woman in this original tale “inspired by the Russian folk tradition” and first published in France.She “grumpily” gives an old woman, accompanied by a beautiful blue bird, an apple and is granted one wish: a palace in which “I can invent all kinds of different rooms whenever I like.” The old woman imposes an important caveat. “You will not be able to leave this magical palace.” At first, Natasha is happy but grows tired of her solitude. Wishing for the old woman to reverse the situation, she is transformed into the blue bird for an evening flight. She sees the poverty of so many in the world and returns to her palace, a changed woman. She gives up her many rooms and begins to make bread and jam for the poor. Every night, as the blue bird, she distributes her gifts. Finally the old woman arrives, praises Natasha’s charity, and sends her home to find her father. The moral of the story is obvious, but the translated text is smooth. The sumptuous, stylized, full-bleed, double-page acrylic paintings, with jewellike colors dominated by blues are a delight, with their swirling designs and Slavic details. Hénaff depicts Natasha as an olive-skinned young woman with long, dark hair. With its folkloric elements, positive but not preachy message about sharing, and strong visual presentation, this will make an excellent read-aloud. (Picture book. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews

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