When Ivan is appointed master of the Tsar's stables and receives two stallions and a magical humpbacked little horse, envious palace courtiers convince the Tsar to send Ivan on one impossible task after another, in a lyrical Russian folktale. Grade 1-4. A heartwarming tale that explores the nature of true wisdom and friendship. Two older brothers, three courtiers, and even the Tsar himself attempt to outsmart young Ivan, whom everyone considers a simpleton. But Ivan proves to be a match for these challengers. Solving the mystery of the missing hay at home brings the gift of a humpbacked horse to the boy?an animal with special powers and the gift of human speech. It is the tiny beast who helps Ivan through the impossible tasks that the greedy ruler sets before him?including capturing the beautiful Tsarevna. Through a trick orchestrated by the Tsarevna and aided by the little horse, Ivan outwits (and eliminates) the Tsar and takes his well-earned place on the throne. Winthrop pairs the conventions and cadences of a traditional tale with passages that are rich with poetic images, making this a good choice for reading aloud. Koshkin's paintings in watercolor, tempera, and gouache are a perfect match, providing the ornate patterns and symmetrical compositions of folk art. Listeners used to being considered young and simple will revel in this story of a friendship that turns the tables and reveals the wisdom of youth.?Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. Gr. 4^-6, younger for reading aloud. In this picture-book version of a classic Russian folktale, Ivan, the youngest of three sons, discovers a magnificent mare stealing hay from the family fields. When he frees the mare, he's rewarded with three colts. He keeps the smallest one, a humpbacked, long-eared creature, which becomes his advisor on a series of adventures. Koshkin's illustrations for this well-loved folktale contribute an authentic sense of place and depict tangible characters, each of whom have energy and life. Children will enjoy hating the evil, greedy Tsar who sets Ivan against such menacing opponents as the Mare with Seven Manes. They may also have fun comparing this to Margaret Hodges and Chris Conover's well-known version of the story, published in 1980. Karen Morgan A felicitous conjunction of words and pictures--Winthrop (I'm the Boss!, 1994, etc.) adapts a Russian folktale and unerringly leads readers through its enchantment to a satisfying conclusion, each step glowingly complemented by Koshkin's paintings. A simpleminded peasant boy's goodness leads him to capture the thief who comes in the night to rob the family haystack. She strikes a bargain for her freedom with the boy, Ivan, for in exchange for his gift of three nights' rest, she will give him three colts, one of which is the little humpbacked horse. The splendor of the other two horses leads Ivan's brothers to take them to the market for the Tsar's use. But their scheme backfires; the horses will obey only Ivan, so the Tsar makes him Master of the Stables, giving him red shiny boots and all the food he wants. Along come the requisite three impossible tasks, and with the advice of the little humpbacked horse, Ivan succeeds. In the end he comes to his ultimate happiness, his lovely Tsaritsa, in a book in which there are no false steps. (Folklore. 7-11) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. "Winthrop pairs the conventions and cadences of a traditional tale with passages that are rich with poetic images . . . Koshkin's paintings in watercolor, tempera, and gouache are a perfect match, providing the ornate patterns and symmetrical compositions of folk art." -- Review Excellent reading skills will lend to an appreciation of this Russian folk story, illustrated by Alexander Koshkin and telling of a beautiful little humpbacked horse and a stable boy who conquers the jealousy of others. Only magic can save him from impossible quests and possible death. -- Midwest Book Review