The Sea King's Daughter

By Aaron Shepard, Gennady Spirin (Illustrator)

A musician's river song summons a Sea King, offering a journey to an underwater realm.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 318 ratings

32 pages· 1,580 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud

$17.95Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Sadko, a lonely musician in Novgorod, plays his gusli by the River Volkhov, summoning the Sea King. Invited to an underwater palace, Sadko faces a choice: return to his world or stay with the Sea King's enchanting daughter. How will he navigate this mystical journey, and what will he choose? Dive into this retelling of a beloved Russian legend, where music and magic intertwine.

From the publisher

Sadko the musician loved his city of Novgorod, the richest and most free in all Russia. With its great feasts, its white stone churches, its merchant visitors from many lands, Sadko felt there was no better place to be. Yet he was lonely too, for the rich young ladies who danced to his music would never favor anyone so poor.

One night he takes his twelve-string gusli and goes alone to play by the River Volkhov. Suddenly from the water rises the Sea King, who invites the astonished musician to play at his underwater palace. But how will Sadko get there? And how will he get back? And will he want to return at all, when he meets the Sea King’s lovely daughter?

One of the most popular legends of Russia, Sadko’s story is found in medieval epic ballads, as well as in a popular opera by Rimsky-Korsakov. It is retold here in elegant prose, complemented by the entrancing illustrations of a modern Russian master.