Carrots to Coins and Other Ukrainian Folk Tales Retold in English

Tatiana Nazarenko teaches in the Department of Germanic and Slavic
Studies at the University of Manitoba.

Danny Evanishen’s seventh volume of Ukrainian tales retold in English
comprises historically based tales (“The Death of Kniaz Oleh”),
well-liked and not-so-common folk tales (“The Mice and the Rooster,”
“The Fox and the Bear,” “The Swan, the Pike and the Crayfish,”
“The Wolf and the Kids”), and fairy tales (“Seven Rooks and Their
Sister”)—all 20 of them presented in a concise, clear, and popular
manner, which makes them highly accessible to various audiences.

The book includes numerous drawings, many of which are pleasingly
jesting. A section of notes on the tales, a pronunciation guide, and a
glossary are especially helpful for readers unfamiliar with the
Ukrainian folklore tradition and language. The notes also credit those
who shared their knowledge of folk tales with the compiler. These tales,
which are easy-to-read, interesting, and culturally enriching, are
suitable for elementary and junior-high-school students, as well as for
general readers. Recommended.