Pavlova, N. Yellow, White, Purple (Zheltyy, belyy, lilovyy), 1966. Illustrated by V. Alfeyevsky. In Russian

Павлова Н.
Желтый, белый, лиловый. / Художник В. Алфеевский.
Москва : Издательство «Детская литература», 1966.
20 с. : ил. ; Энциклопедический формат. Мягкая издательская обложка.
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Pavlova, Nina.
Yellow, White, Purple. / Illustrated by V. Alfeyevsky.
Moscow: Detskaya Literatura (Children's Literature Publishing House), 1966.
20 pp.: ill.; Encyclopedic format. Original softcover. In Russian.

This 1966 large-format edition is a masterpiece of Soviet popular science for children, blending biological accuracy with the wonder of fairy tales. Written by Nina Pavlova, a distinguished botanist and doctor of biological sciences, the text provides a deep dive into the internal logic of the natural world, including the arrangement of plant life cycles and the symbiotic relationships between flowers and insects. Through her "tales of plants," Pavlova masterfully anthropomorphizes the meadow, allowing young readers to witness the secret lives of yellow, white, and purple blooms. Her narrative style was revolutionary for the time, moving away from dry lecturing toward a lyrical, observant form of storytelling that encouraged children to look closer at the grass beneath their feet.
The book’s visual identity is defined by the extraordinary work of Valery Alfeyevsky, one of the most recognizable and influential illustrators of the Soviet "Thaw" and post-Thaw periods. His vibrant, expressive drawings almost entirely fill the 20 pages of this encyclopedic format, creating a rich tapestry of color and movement. Alfeyevsky’s light, slightly angular style perfectly complements the delicate nature of Pavlova’s prose, turning a simple lesson in botany into a high-art visual experience. Published by Detskaya Literatura in the mid-1960s, this volume represents the peak of Soviet educational aesthetics. For bibliophiles, scholars of children's illustration, and collectors of vintage nature books, this 1966 Moscow imprint is a vital primary source, documenting the unique collaboration between a leading scientist and a legendary artist.