"The Fisherman's Son" by Mirra Ginsburg is about a young boy who is the son of a fisherman. One day the fisherman and his son are out catching fish and the boy looks at one of the fish that they caught and thinks its to pretty to eat and throws it back. The fish, happy it is still alive, tells the boy that if he ever needs a favor to come to the river and call out for red fish. The boy then continues to save a deer, stork, and foxes life and in return they promise him favors if he ever need any help from them. The boy then grows to become a man and meets a woman that he wants to marry. The woman owns a magic mirror where she can locate where anyone is hiding and will only marry the man that can hide from the mirror's power. The fisherman's son accepts her deal and decides to ask the fish, deer, stork, and fox for help. The theme of the story is always be willing to help anyone even if you don't have to, because you don't know how it could effect you in your future. The book can be read at a 2nd grade level, but it can teach good moral values to everyone. ( )

A fisherman's son is rewarded for his acts of kindness in this beautiful Georgian folktale, as the many animals he has saved help him to win the hand of a beautiful maiden. Sworn never to marry, unless to a man clever enough to hide from her magic mirror, the maiden at first seems unattainable. The fisherman's son is hidden in many extraordinary places by his animal friends, but all to no avail. Finally, the clever fox takes a hand...

The Fisherman's Son is a delightful book, both as a folk narrative and as a beautifully-illustrated picture book. Mirra Ginsburg is perhaps best known as a translator of Russian literature, and I have read and enjoyed her version of Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita. Here she demonstrates that she is also an accomplished storyteller. Tony Chen's gorgeous illustrations are the perfect complement to the story, with just the right blend of fantasy and restraint. The alternation between black & white line drawings and full-color panels, allows Chen to demonstrate his delicacy while also playing with a lush palette. Highly recommended, with only one caveat: I wish that Ginsburg had included some note as to her source material. ( )