The Pearl

Gr 3—5—A retelling of the tale of Praskovia, a Russian opera singer, and her relationship with Count Nicolas Cheremeteff. While out hunting, the count, who loved music, heard the lovely singing of a beautiful peasant girl and decided to take her to one of his palaces and educate her as a lady. He nurtured her voice and, after her successful debut at the Kuskovo palace, he called her "The Pearl" because of her "talent and pure heart." Nicolas and Praskovia grew closer and lived together in a cottage on the estate. Although it was unthinkable for nobility and a serf to marry, his love transcended tradition and they were wed. Praskovia gave birth to their baby, Dmitri, but she died soon after. Nicolas devoted the rest of his life to her memory, building a hospital in her honor and awarding orphaned girls dowries so they could marry. Richly illustrated in bold pen-and-ink and watercolor, the story is brought to life in sumptuous detail and precisely placed splashes of color. Readers will relish this unique, Russian Cinderella tale.—C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY