Now in a 15th Anniversary Edition!
An A.L.A. Notable and N.Y. Times Best Illustrated
The Sea King’s Daughter
A Russian Legend
Told by Aaron Shepard
Illustrated by Gennady Spirin
1997 New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year
1998 American Library Association Notable Children’s Books
1998 NCSS/CBC Notable Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies
1997 Aesop Accolade, American Folklore Society
1998 Honor Title, Storytelling World Awards
1997 Cincinnati Enquirer Best Illustrated Children’s Books
American Bookseller Pick of the Lists
Starred review, Publishers Weekly
Featured on “CBS This Morning”
General Info
Book Trailer
Reviews
Sample Text
Sadko the musician loved his city of Novgorod, the richest and most free in all Russia. With its great feasts, its white stone churches, its merchant visitors from many lands, Sadko felt there was no better place to be. Yet he was lonely too, for the rich young ladies who danced to his music would never favor anyone so poor.
One night he takes his twelve-string gusli and goes alone to play by the River Volkhov. Suddenly from the water arises the Sea King, who invites the astonished musician to play at his underwater palace. But how will Sadko get there? And how will he get back? And will he want to return at all, when he meets the Sea King’s lovely daughter?
One of the most popular legends of Russia, Sadko’s story is found in medieval epic ballads, as well as in a popular opera by Rimsky-Korsakov. It is retold here in elegant prose, complemented by the entrancing illustrations of a modern Russian master.
Picture book • Ages 7 & up
Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of The Baker’s Dozen, The Sea King’s Daughter, The Monkey King, and many more children’s books, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader’s theater. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society.
Gennady Spirin, with a style he describes as “fairy-tale realism,” is one of the world’s most esteemed children’s illustrators. His honors include five gold medals from the Society of Illustrators, the Golden Apple from the Bratislava International Biennial, First Prize at the Bologna and Barcelona international book fairs, and four appearances on the New York Times list of Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year. Born and trained in Russia before moving to the United States, Gennady already knew well the legend of Sadko and welcomed the chance to contribute his sumptuous art to this retelling.
ADVANCE READING COPY
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The Sea King’s Daughter ARC
(PDF, 8 MB)
Skyhook Press
Paperback, 15th Anniversary Edition ~ 2011
Hardcover, 15th Anniversary Edition ~ 2017
Ebook ~ 2019
Paperback, Standard Edition ~ 2021
Simon & Schuster/Atheneum/Aladdin
Hardcover ~ 1997
Paperback ~ 2001
Other Editions
U.K.—Simon & Schuster UK, 1999
French—La Fille du Roi des Mers, les albums duculot (Casterman), 1999
German—Des Meerkönigs Tochter, Esslinger atelier (Verlag Schreiber), 1998
Spanish—La Hija del Rey de los Mares, Editorial Lumen, 1999
Greek—Papadopolous, 1999
Korean—Korea Froebel, 2003
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“Emotionally authentic prose and jewel‑like illustrations make this an exquisite volume. . . . [A] mood of eloquent enchantment.”—Publishers Weekly, Aug. 25, 1997, starred review
“Exquisite.”—The New York Times Book Review, Oct. 26, 1997
“Knock-your-socks-off beautiful. . . . Will stay in a family’s library forever.”—Valerie Lewis, CBS This Morning, Dec. 11, 1997
“Retains the flavor of Old Russia. . . . A fascinating spin on mermaid/human interaction.”—Denise Anton Wright, School Library Journal, Dec. 1997
“The telling is descriptive yet very accessible. . . . The pictures are gorgeous and resplendent with extraordinary details.”—Stephanie Zvirin, American Library Association Booklist, Nov. 15, 1997
“Aaron Shepard proves once again that he is one of the finest authors working in the field of folktales today. Meticulous research and a respect for the story, as well as those who have told it, characterize all of Aaron’s works. Set off by illustrations that are as wondrous and detailed as the story, this is a book that begs to be read aloud.”—Kip Nead, Growing Up, Nov. 1997
“Aaron’s prose is both lyrical and storyteller-friendly, plus he includes excellent notes on his sources and the historical and cultural background of the story.”—Katy Rydell, Stories, Winter 1998
“Involving. . . . Stunning.”—Susie Wilde, WUNC-FM
“Lush language and Gennady Spirin’s intricate watercolors make The Sea King’s Daughter a feast for ear and eye.”—Mary Quattlebaum, Washington Parent, May 1998
“Rich. . . . This book will delight students of all ages.”—The Mailbox Bookbag, Aug.–Sept. 1998
“Shepard masterfully brings this story to a new audience.”—Janet Marnatti, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nov. 15, 1998
“A satisfying story, beautifully illustrated.”—Marilyn Courtot, Children’s Literature, June 1998
Hear This Sample Text (1:55 minutes)
Down sank Sadko, down all the way to the sea floor. The red sun shone dimly through the water above, while before him stood a white stone palace.
Sadko passed through a coral gate. As he reached the huge palace doors, they swung open to reveal a giant hall. The elegant room was filled with guests and royal attendants—herring and sprats, cod and flounder, gobies and sticklebacks, sand eels and sea scorpions, crabs and lobsters, starfish and squid, sea turtles and giant sturgeon.
Standing among the guests were dozens of maidens—river nymphs, the Sea King’s daughters. On a shell throne at the end of the hall sat the Sea King and his Queen.
“You’re just in time!” called the King. “Musician, come sit by me—and let the dance begin!”
Sadko set his gusli on his lap and plucked a merry tune. Soon all the fish swam in graceful figures. The seafloor crawlers cavorted. The river maidens leaped and spun.
“I like that tune!” declared the King. He jumped to the center of the hall and joined the dance. His arms waved, his robe swirled, his hair streamed, his feet stamped.
“Faster!” cried the King. “Play faster!”
Sadko played faster and the King’s dance grew wilder. All the others stopped and watched in awe. Ever more madly did he move, whirling faster, leaping higher, stamping harder.
The Sea Queen whispered urgently, “Musician, end your tune! It seems to you the King merely dances in his hall. But above us, the sea is tossing ships like toys, and giant waves are breaking on the shore!”
Alarmed, Sadko pulled a string until it snapped. “Your Majesty, my gusli is broken.”
“A shame,” said the Sea King, winding to a stop. “I could have danced for days. But a fine fellow you are, Sadko. I think I’ll marry you to one of my daughters and keep you here forever.”