Algernon D Black

A woodcarver, tailor and teacher argue about who should possess the woman that they have created together in this tale taken from the Russian folk tradition. Should she go to the man who carved her, the man who clothed her, or the man who educated her? Finally, the three consult a wise man in the capital city, and he gives them a surprising answer...

Addressing itself to the question of whether or not it is possible to own another person, The Woman of the Wood is an engaging story that will entertain young readers, while making them think. Evaline Ness, who won a Caldecott Medal in 1967 for the picture book Sam, Bangs and Moonshine, here contributes evocative, four-color illustrations that help to carry the story towards its satisfying conclusion.… (more)

This story is interesting, but poorly written. Three men help to create a woman from wood. They all claim her and their own because of their contribution in her creation. When they cannot agree, the men take the woman to a wise man in the city to settle their dispute. In his wisdom the old man says it is for the woman to choose. When the woman speaks it is to say she chooses the old wise man. By magic the old man is transformed into a handsome young man. Another happy ending. Not so happy for the reader, because they have just read a very generic story. If a person is going to take the time to retell a folktale, they need to make is special and different in some way.… (more)