Firebird.

Firebird. Firebird Saviour Pirotta, author Catherine Hyde, illustrator Templar Books c/o Candlewick Press 99 Dover Street, Somerville, MA 02144 9780763650766 $18.99 www.candlewick.com Firebird is a wondrous picturebook retelling of the classic Russianfolktale that inspired the world-famous ballet. A mysterious bird withfeathers like flames has been eating King Vaslav's golden-skinnedapples each night; young prince Ivan sets out to bring the thief tojustice. Fortunately, Ivan befriends the strong, magical, and mysteriousGrey Wolf; in the course of his quest, Ivan sometimes behaves foolishlybut nevertheless falls deeply in love with a princess from a farawayland. A fairytale ultimately ending in an act of pure compassion,Firebird is heartwarmingly brought to life by the evocative paintings ofCatherine Hyde, and highly recommended especially for children'slibrary picturebook collections.