Tolstoy, A. N. (Adapt.) The Wolf and the Little Kids: For Tiny Tots, 1957. A Russian Folk Tale. In English.

The Wolf and the Little Kids: For Tiny Tots. / A Russian folk tale adapted by Alexei Tolstoi; Translated from the Russian by E. Felgenhauer; Drawings by Yuri Vasnetsov.
Moscow : Foreign Languages Publishing House, 1957.
12 pp. : ill. ; 28 cm. Original illustrated softcover. In English.

This 1957 English-language edition of the classic Russian folk tale The Wolf and the Little Kids represents a peak achievement in the Soviet effort to share its rich tradition of children's book illustration with the Western world. Adapted by the master of historical and folk prose, Alexei Tolstoy, the story retains its rhythmic, oral tradition quality, perfectly suited for "tiny tots." The narrative provides a deep dive into the internal logic of the forest fable, including the arrangement of the mother goat’s protective warnings, the wolf's cunning vocal transformation, and the eventual triumph of wit over predatory force. This translation by E. Felgenhauer was specifically commissioned by the Foreign Languages Publishing House to ensure that the linguistic nuances of the Russian "skaz" were accessible to English-speaking children.
The definitive feature of this large-format (28 cm) volume is the visual world created by Yuri Vasnetsov, one of the most beloved and influential illustrators of the Leningrad school. Vasnetsov’s style is deeply rooted in Russian folk art and "lubok" traditions, characterized by decorative patterns, vibrant colors, and anthropomorphic animal figures that possess a unique, fairytale charm. Across its 12 pages, the book showcases Vasnetsov’s ability to turn a simple nursery story into a lush visual tapestry. Published during the early years of the Khrushchev Thaw, this high-quality export edition reflects the USSR's use of world-class artistic talent to foster cultural diplomacy. For collectors of children's literature and fans of Russian graphic arts, this 1957 Moscow imprint remains a quintessential primary source of mid-century aesthetic excellence.