This book succeeds by blending absurd visual comedy, such as pancakes hanging from trees, with a clever underdog victory over a greedy nobleman. Ivan uses nonsense logic to hide a secret treasure in plain sight while rewarding the reader's wit. Books in this family share a focus on resourceful characters who use humor and trickery to outsmart powerful figures.
Reach for this book when you want to celebrate the power of a clever imagination or when your child is starting to understand the difference between being 'smart' and being 'wise.' It is a delightful tool for exploring how humor can be used to navigate tricky situations and protect one's family. The story follows Ivan, a poor farmer who finds a pot of gold but realizes he must hide it from a greedy nobleman. To do so, he creates a series of nonsensical events, like making it 'rain' pancakes, so that when his honest but talkative brother tells the truth, no one will believe him. This classic Russian folktale is perfect for the 6 to 9 age range, bridging the gap between picture books and longer chapter books. It balances the high stakes of protecting a fortune with the lighthearted absurdity of food falling from the sky. Parents will appreciate the vocabulary-building opportunities and the gentle lesson on outsmarting those who might take advantage of others. It is an engaging read that rewards children for paying attention to the 'trick' being played.
