Harve Zemach (1933–1974)

As a child, any mention or image of the devil scared me immensely. Still, I remember checking this book out several times because it was just that good.

n this enchanting tale, a clever girl named Duffy encounters a mischievous devil who challenges her wits. Duffy must use her intelligence and bravery to outsmart the devil and escape his clutches. The story celebrates themes of cleverness and resourcefulness in overcoming adversity.

The story is an old one with many iterations. This version came from a 19th-century play traditionally performed in Cornwall during the Christmas season. I remember two versions of the story from my childhood: Rumpelstiltskin and Tom Tit Tot. The biggest difference in these tales is that Duffy is a young woman who, herself, claims to be able to spin, weave and knit (regular cloth), while in the other stories it was the girl’s father who boasted his daughter could spin straw into gold. show more Duffy’s devil states he will take HER away after three years; Rumpelstiltskin gives the girl only three days to guess his name, or he will take her newborn child. Minor quibbles. It’s a fairy tale that has appealed to children (and their parents) for centuries.

The book won the Caldecott medal. Margo Zemach’s illustrations are wonderfully detailed and help support the story. I found myself examining them for small details. I particularly loved the wedding feast illustration. show less

This Traditional Fantasy tells the Russian legend of Ivan the Fool. Ivan, the youngest of three sons of a rich merchant, is seen as a foolish musician who cannot be trusted with valuable items. When he sets sail following his brothers’ two precious cargo laden ships, Ivan gets separated and lands on an island with a mountain made of Russian salt. He takes a shipload of this salt to a kingdom and convinces the king to buy his cargo. In the process he wins the heart of the king’s daughter, show more and the two set sail with their gold and silver for Ivan’s home. However, the brothers find him at sea, toss Ivan overboard and claim the princess as their own. With the help of a giant, however, Ivan is able to return to his home and reclaim what is his, earning his father’s respect in the process.

This book was entertaining to read. With illustrations that capture the simplicity of the story, the book grabbed me from the beginning. Although it is not something I would typically pick up, I’m glad that I did. It makes me want to check into more Russian legends and find out more about what the giant in this story might represent.

I would use this book in the classroom as an introduction to Russian literature. Since the book mentions a mandolin and dancing, I would have some Russian music to play and have some examples of Russian dances to show the class. Perhaps we could learn a short dance ourselves! I would use this book as an example of how important it is to believe in yourself no matter what others think. show less