Masha du Toit

I love Peter and the Wolf.  We used to have a recording of it with the narration in German.   Even now, the music evokes the German phrases: “Der Große, Graue WOLF! Ta Daaaaaaaaaa!”

Victor Ambrus’s illustrations are fabulous.  They remind me rather of  Adelchi Galloni.  Rough and lively, but delicate too.

Here is Peter:

And his grumpy Grandfather:

The little bird:

And I just love the cat.  He looks like such a bad lot.

He  gets into all kinds of scrapes, and quite loses his dignity:

And of course, the beloved Duck.

And the Duck is running from this rascally fellow:  The Wolf Himself.  With a gold earring, no less.

But as you no doubt know, the Wolf comes to a Bad End:

Although in this version, we are given an alternative ending.  An operation takes place to save the Duck:

And Mr Wolf escapes to Outer Siberia, even before his stitches have been removed:

How did he survive that operation, you ask?  Well now.  Have a close look at his drip: