About 2 years ago I started my own publishing company, DRT Press, to publish my children's book about Russian adoption, When I Met You. Because of my experience starting a small press I have a soft spot in my heart for others who do the same. One such independent publishing company is Pumpkin House Press, publishers of A Little Story about a Big Turnip and Silly Horse, to name just two of their titles.

Pumpkin House specializes in Russian folktales and Russian children's stories which have been translated and repackaged for English-speaking audiences. Silly Horse, by Vadim Levin, is one such offering. First published in 1969 in Russia, this book is a collection of Shel Silverstein-esque poems beautifully illustrated by Evgeny Antonenkov.

Some of the poems in Silly Horse work really well. "Mr. Snow" and "A Little Poem about a Big Rain" are the kind of poems you'd read in a children's magazine like Ladybug or Babybug, but some of them, like "Wicky-Wacky-Wocky Mouse" neither me nor my kids really understood. It may be that something is lacking in translation or maybe we are missing something...but never mind. Most of the poems are very enjoyable and the illustrations are wonderful throughout.

A Little Story About a Big Turnip is the same Russian tale you've heard a million times, although sometimes there's a different veggie other than a turnip. I've read about a pumpkin, a carrot, and even an onion, but more often than not, it's been a turnip. The farmer plants a turnip but when he goes to pull it out it's too big and he needs help. He enlists his wife, his daughter, the dog, the cat, etc., etc., and finally it pops out of the ground. This is a cute tale that's been updated by Tatiana Zunshine, the founder of Pumpkin House, and illustrated by the guy who did The Silly Horse, Evgeny Antonenkov. This is a favorite with Little J, who is at the age where he can't bear the suspense! Will they pull out the turnip? What will be the final straw?

I'm building a collection of Russian-themed books for my boys and I definitely recommend both of these.