A classic fairy tale with many classic elements: the third brother protagonist, the many helpful wanderers who only want generosity in order to befriend you and save the day later, the King who tests the poor suitor… I’ve heard this story before, though I didn’t remember it being specifically Russian. Good story, very exciting and funny. The chum was especially taken with the man who can drink a whole lake.

For me, there’s a lack of detail in the pictures. The faces are just a bit undefined, the landscapes a bit too fuzzy. Also it has the use of color that says ‘60s – look! We have so much color available! But perhaps not the best reproduction quality.

Better story than illustrations but a big hit at our house – worthy of spontaneous dramatic interpretation