Paterson collaborates with acclaimed Russian illustrator Vagin in a long, magical story that revitalizes many folk traditions. It's a story not simply of virtue rewarded, but of virtue so clever and strong it can change the world. A greedy and arrogant young king can't wear his crown until he finds a woman who's his equal. He exploits his people and lays waste the land, sneering at all the prospective brides his counselors parade before him, though the women are the most beautiful, wise, and wealthy in the kingdom. Rosamund's a poor goatherd. She befriends a hungry wolf, who transforms her into the bride the king wants--except she won't have the king. She shows the ruler that he's beneath her and sends him away to be a goatherd. He learns humility and also to sing and play and make his daily bread. Then, he's her equal. Occasionally the message is spelled out (Isn't it better to share . . .), but the prince is a great villain and his comeuppance is wonderfully satisfying. The paintings are lush and romantic, with richly colored, elaborately detailed costumes and interiors in an old-fashioned style. Each frame of the court is set within a larger painting of the kingdom bathed in bright blue light. The story is told in chapters, with rhythm, repetition, and immediacy, and with dramatic confrontations and reversals that make it great for reading aloud. (Reviewed July 1992)

An arrogant prince may not become king until he finds a wife who is 'the king's equal.' The clever Rosamund tells him he must live in a hut in the woods and learn to care for himself before she will marry him, and the year transforms the prince into a generous, humble man. Remarkable for its carefully crafted language, the original fairy tale is complemented by elaborate, detailed illustrations.

On his deathbed, the wise old king decrees that his arrogant son will not inherit the crown until he marries a woman who is your equal in beauty and intelligence and wealth.'' Angry, and misunderstanding thisblessing,'' Prince Raphael sets about impoverishing his people and rejecting a procession of princesses who may excel in one quality, but never in three. In the meantime, Rosamund, a shepherd lass, shares the last of her grain with a hungry (but gentle) wolf; magically, his presence replenishes the grain and he recognizes her as queen-to-be. He sends her to the palace, where her wisdom and compassion charm Raphael. Still, he must now prove himself to her: leaving Rosamund to put his kingdom to rights, he repairs to her hut, where the animals help him learn cooperation, competence, and humility. There's a lesson here, of course, but Paterson (unlike many who use folkloric motifs to project contemporary messages) shapes her tale with such grace, narrative skill, and good humor that the lesson is a pleasure. Vagin, a Russian introduced with Here Comes the Cat! (1989), offers sumptuous, elegantly detailed illustrations of the court, bordered in serene pastoral landscapes, in more muted colors, which also adorn chapter heads. A handsome book; an entertaining, thought-provoking story. (Fiction/Young reader. 7-10)"

Gr 2-6-- Finding a princess who is the king's equal'' in comeliness, intelligence, and wealth is an order that confounds the wisest, most loyal councilors in this distant realm. Finding a book equal in quality and brilliance to this one is an even more formidable task. Paterson weaves her story within the structure of familiar fairy tales; she includes romance, repetition of language, the number three, and a moral of goodness and love triumphing over selfishness and greed. Her careful attention to the beauty and variety of descriptive language is evident on every page. The story gains dimension with the inclusion ofthe Wolf.'' At first glimpse, he seems a menacing, negative force, but he is revealed ultimately to be the purveyor of magic, and even the perfect matchmaker. He never intrudes upon court life in the capital city, but remains in his remote mountain lair, an enigmatic character to ponder at the story's end. Vagin's illustrations are exquisite, luminous in color, clarity, and precision. Readers are drawn into the courtly world of a wealthy kingdom through details of costume, architecture, furniture, and decorations. Because there are six chapters, the book is a lengthy read-aloud. This is, however, no drawback; young listeners will be a spellbound and appreciative audience, and should want to return to the book again and again. --Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY