Charushin, Evgeny. Jokes (Shutki). Illustrated by the author, 1956. In Russian.

Чарушин, Евгений. Шутки / текст и рисунки Е. И. Чарушина.
Москва : Государственное издательство детской литературы Министерства просвещения РСФСР (Детгиз), 1956. 12 страниц : цветные иллюстрации.
Мягкая бумажная обложка. Энциклопедический формат (28 см). Тираж 300 000 экземпляров.
Состояние очень хорошее: обложка с легким возрастным пожелтением и минимальными следами бытования; блок крепкий, страницы совершенно чистые, цвета хромолитографии яркие и насыщенные.
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Charushin, Evgeny. Jokes (Shutki) / text and illustrations by E. I. Charushin.
Moscow : State Publishing House of Children's Literature (Detgiz), 1956. 12 pages : color illustrations.
Paper wrappers. Encyclopedic large format (28 cm). Print run of 300,000 copies.
Condition very good: wrappers show light age-toning and minimal wear; text block firm, pages completely clean with bright and vibrant chromolithograph colors throughout.

Evgeny Charushin (1901-1965) stands as one of the most celebrated figures in Soviet children's literature and illustration, widely revered for his unparalleled ability to depict animals and nature. This 1956 large-format edition of "Shutki" (Jokes and Rhymes) is a quintessential example of his artistic genius. Featuring his signature soft, painterly lithographic technique, the illustrations breathe life and personality into various woodland creatures, from dancing hares to a bear cub eating berries. Printed using a high-quality chromolithography process, the images exhibit a remarkable depth of color, texture, and warmth that is highly prized by collectors of Soviet graphic art. Books illustrated by Charushin during this period were fundamental to the visual education of Soviet children, instilling a deep appreciation for the natural world. While printed in a large run of 300,000 copies, finding this fragile, oversized paperback in such well-preserved condition is uncommonly rare. The "encyclopedic" format (28 cm) made these booklets particularly susceptible to creasing, tearing, and severe damage in the hands of young readers. This pristine copy remains a highly desirable acquisition for connoisseurs of mid-century children's book illustration and Soviet animalistic art.