Luba And The Wren (Polacco)

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Description: Luba And The Wren (Polacco)

Genre: Russia; Juvenile Fiction; Fairy tales; Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction; Children: Grades 1-2; People and Places - United States - Other; Folklore and Mythology; Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Birds; Animals - Birds; Folklore;

Average Review: 4.5 stars

Review: why another retelling?: Patricia Polacco is an extremely talented author but I don't completely understand where she was coming from with this one. The classic story of the Fisherman and His Wife here receives a new treatment where Luba, previously "full of joy and free from care as all children should be", saves the life of a little enchanted wren and is pressured by her parents to request more and more gifts in return. In the traditional story the fish, tired of granting wishes to the never-satisfied wife, states that the couple will get what they deserve and it turns out to be their original house. This story has a slightly different ending where the parents ask to be "as Gods" and the wren grants their wish saying to Luba, "Go then, my child... it is already done". She returns to find them with their original humble dwelling and station in life returned to them, yet content with their lot, as they embrace their daughter warmly. I'm not sure how the parents being happy at last (although it's a nice touch) constitutes their wish being granted. Overall I'd say to stick with the original when you choose to share this story with your children.