★ A collection of enchanting and wise fairy tales featuring four captivating stories, each revolving around a seemingly ordinary round stone. These tales are filled with magic and wonder while conveying values of honesty, kindness, and wisdom.
★ Boris Diodorov’s exquisite illustrations bring these stories to life, transporting readers into a magical world.
★ Perfect for preschoolers and early elementary school children, as well as anyone who loves folktales.

*The Round Stone* is a carefully selected collection of four delightful Hungarian folktales. Each story centers around a small, seemingly ordinary round stone, showcasing the power of honesty, kindness, and wisdom.

In the first tale, a poor fisherman discovers a small round stone that brings long-awaited happiness to his family in the form of three bags of gold. Meanwhile, his greedy and foolish wealthy brother tries to increase his fortune with three bags of cats, only to face just punishment.
The second story follows the honest and noble Jancsi, who rescues a snake and, without hesitation, carries the unpleasant creature around his neck to its father’s home. His good deed is rewarded with a beautiful wife and a magical self-serving tablecloth.
In the third tale, a miller’s clever daughter astonishes the king with her unconventional answers to his complex questions, eventually becoming queen. This story proves that fairy-tale kings can fall in love not just for beauty but also for wisdom.
The final story reveals how a box accidentally dug up from a field determines the length of a tale—an answer that won’t disappoint young readers.

This book is beautifully illustrated by the talented and uniquely styled artist Boris Diodorov. Each story unfolds like a magical thread, weaving together all the events and characters. Diodorov’s illustrations not only capture the fantastical essence of the tales but also bring each character to life with vivid energy.
Recommended for preschoolers and early elementary school children to read and enjoy, as well as all folktale enthusiasts, this book is not just a collection of magical and wise fairy tales but also a rare artistic treasure.

【Illustrator】Boris Arkadyevich Diodorov
Boris Arkadyevich Diodorov is an internationally acclaimed Russian illustrator, a People's Artist of Russia, and a winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award. In 2024, he celebrated his 85th birthday. This artistic master has made extraordinary contributions to the field of world literature illustration, earning countless accolades and honors. He is known as the artistic master who weaves fantasy worlds with his brush.
Diodorov's illustrations are renowned for their exquisite and delicate lines. Most of his works are created using etching techniques, where patterns are engraved on metal plates coated with varnish using a steel needle. Though technically challenging, this method achieves unparalleled fineness and lightness in lines—no brush can produce strokes as fine as those made by a needle.
Diodorov has illustrated over 400 books, including many well-known classics. His illustrations for Sergei Aksakov's *The Scarlet Flower*, A.A. Milne's *Winnie-the-Pooh*, Selma Lagerlöf's *The Wonderful Adventures of Nils*, Leo Tolstoy's *Folk Tales*, and Pavel Bazhov's *The Malachite Casket* are beloved by readers. He is particularly famous for his illustrations of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, having illustrated nearly all of Andersen's works published in Russia. Andersen's stories are Diodorov's greatest passion, and his illustrations for classics like *The Little Mermaid*, *Thumbelina*, and *The Snow Queen*—with their emotional depth and unique artistic style—have become iconic in the world of illustration. These books have been published in millions of copies in Russia and abroad.
Diodorov has also illustrated Russian literary classics, including works by Tolstoy, Blok, and Turgenev. His illustrations not only reflect a profound understanding of the original texts but also breathe new life into the words. A Japanese translator of Tolstoy's *Folk Tales* once remarked, "With Diodorov's illustrations, translating Tolstoy's words is no longer necessary." This speaks volumes about the exceptional ability of his illustrations to convey the spirit of literary works.
Diodorov's artistic achievements have been widely recognized. In 1979, his colored etchings (with watercolor and gouache) for Selma Lagerlöf's *The Wonderful Adventures of Nils* won a certificate at the All-Union "Book Art" competition, the "Golden Apple" award at the Bratislava Biennial, and a silver medal at the Leipzig International Book Art Exhibition. In 2001, he received the highest international honor in children's literature—the Hans Christian Andersen Award—presented by the Danish princess in Odense, Denmark. In 2005, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Andersen's birth, Diodorov was appointed "Andersen's Ambassador to Russia" by the Danish royal family and awarded an honorary title. His illustrations have been published in the U.S., France, Spain, Finland, Japan, South Korea, and other countries and are collected by the world's most prestigious museums. His works can be found in the Tretyakov Gallery (Russia), the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Denmark, the Ghibli Museum in Japan, the Slovak National Gallery (Bratislava), and private collections worldwide.
Diodorov's artistic journey began in childhood. His grandfather, the director of the Trekhgornaya Factory, had a vast home library. At the age of four, his grandfather taught him to read and flipped through books with him. His grandfather also taught him to bind worn-out books, helping him gradually build his own library. Diodorov recalled, "I was deeply fascinated by the illustrations in books—they depicted lives far more interesting than anything I had experienced." He excels in various artistic techniques, including copperplate engraving, watercolor, and etching. He firmly believes that "the book itself will suggest which technique to use—I listen to their voices." This profound understanding of books and mastery of artistic techniques infuse his illustrations with vitality and artistic power.
Diodorov's father, Arkady Leonidovich, was a renowned decorative artist who designed the Nakhimov and Ushakov medals. In 2018, Diodorov and his wife, poet Karina Filippova-Diodorova, initiated the creation of the private museum "The Road to Pushkin" in Pogoreloye, using part of the Russian Presidential Prize funds for its construction.
Boris Arkadyevich Diodorov's artistic career is marked by his pursuit of beauty and dedication to art. His illustrations have not only added endless charm to world literary classics but also brought visual and spiritual delight to countless readers. His artistic achievements and love for literature will continue to inspire generations of readers and artists.