The Gossipy Wife

Ivan is able to turn his wife's gossipy nature to advantage and outwit their greedy landlord. It is no good asking her to keep quiet about his find -- a chest of treasure -- but who is going to believe even Katrina when she insists that she has caught a land pike and a water hare, and that it has been raining pancakes? This lively adaptation of a traditional Russian tale reads aloud well and is aptly illustrated in peasant style pictures which are enhanced by use of grain, pattern and texture as well as close attention to detail: I particularly like the barrel doll endpapers.