Peter and the Wolf

Retells the orchestral fairy tale in which a boy ignores his grandfather's warnings and proceeds to capture a wolf.

Publishers Weekly

Since its debut in the '30s, Prokofiev's now-classic orchestral fairy tale of a boy who captures a wolf with the aid of some animal friends has been hugely popular. Here, with a nod to its musical origins (an introductory illustration showing each of the characters with his corresponding instrument), Lemieux ( A Gift from St. Francis ; Voices on the Wind ) delivers a straightforward, tightly written version of the tale. She takes some liberties--the hunters cart the wolf off to the zoo in the end, for example, instead of slitting him open to free the duck he's consumed--and purists may lament the separation of the story from its musical score, but children will still thrill to the bravery of Peter, who ignores his grandfather's warnings and catches a wolf by the tail. Dark, highly stylized oil paintings resound with suitably Russian elements--Grandfather looks like Tolstoy, the hunters are dressed as Cossacks--and create a fittingly atmospheric backdrop to this beloved story. All ages. (Oct.)

Chris Rashka was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, which is named for Selma Shirley Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon in England, the leader of Calvinist sect of the Methodist Church, known for her missionary zeal. He grew up in Lombard, Illinois, named for Josiah L. Lombard, a landowner; then later lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, named for the wives of John Allen and Elisha Rumsey, both named Ann. He now lives with his wife and son in New York City, named for the grand old Duke of York.

Also by the author are the following books: the Caldecott Honor Book Yo! Yes?; Charlie Parker Played Be Bop; Mysterious Thelonious; John Coltrane's Giant Steps; and Can't Sleep.