Barbara Swiderska

"There was once a young fisherman who asked for nothing in life but a sea to sail, a boat to row, nets to cast and fish to catch." Until, that is, the fisherman sees the portrait of the king's beautiful daughter, and determines that he will win her hand in marriage...

In this lovely retelling of a Polish folktale, the young fisherman's many acts of kindness are eventually rewarded, and he wins his heart's desire. There are many familiar folk motifs here, from the "impossible" tests set by the king, to the rewarding of good deeds with good fortune. The assistance of the ants in sorting out the various types of grain can be seen in many tales from around the world. Barbara Swiderska's accompanying illustrations are charming and expressive, accentuating the emotions of the characters and the humor of the story. Well worth a look, particularly for those who enjoy folktales.… (altro)