How to tell a child about the Ukrainian Cossacks? Do it with books. In our selection you will find fairy tales, legends, stories and novels about the Cossacks for younger students
Tomorrow all Ukraine celebrates a double holiday: the day Protection of the Holy Virgin and Day of Ukrainian Cossacks. Both of these holidays are closely related: the Cossacks from time immemorial considered the Mother of God their main patroness. According to legend, it was she who saved the Zaporozhye army in the 17th century during the siege of the Azov fortress by the Turkish army.
Modern children are introduced to the history of the Cossacks from the first grade, because the Cossacks are considered one of the main symbols of our country. However, a book about the adventures of these glorious and courageous warriors will be much more interesting for a child than an "open" lesson at school. On the eve of the holiday, we have selected the most interesting books about Ukrainian Cossacks for younger students. These tales, stories and novels will appeal not only to girls and boys, but also to their parents.
“Charіvni іstorії. About Kozaks ". Yulita Ran
“Charіvni іstorії. About Kozaks ". Yulita Ran / open sources
One of the first books about Ukrainian Cossacks, which is suitable for reading even for preschoolers, may be a selection of fairy tales from a young children's writer Yulita Ran. The book was published in the series "Charivni History" (except for the Cossacks, this series includes a book about princesses, about fairies and about knights). It tells in easy and simple language about the adventures of three bosom friends - the Cossacks Ivan, Andrey and Svyat. These are boys who dream of battling enemies and glorious victories. However, real courage is not only on the battlefield. The Cossack must protect the weak and come to the rescue in times of need. In order for children to understand this, they will have to go through several difficult tests.
“Charіvni іstorії. About Kozaks "will be of interest to the smallest readers / open sources
In the book of Yulia Ran you will not find the history of the Cossacks and references to the glorious Ukrainian past. But here there will be stories about friendship, mutual assistance and the main human qualities that any child will understand. The stories are simple, instructive, but without the necessary morals. In addition, each spread has bright and colorful pictures. By the way, “Charіvni іstorії. About kozakiv »can be listened to online. They are read by Yulita Ran herself, and the recording is freely available on Youtube.
"A marvelous rise of Sony and Asi to Kozatska Sich". Petr Melnik
"A marvelous rise of Sony and Asi to Kozatska Sich". Petr Melnik / open sources
A fantastic story for children of primary school age about the adventures of the spirit of girlfriends, the girl Sonya and the cat Asya. Thanks to magic, they find themselves in the distant past and learn a terrible secret: the Tatars want to seize the Zaporozhye Sich, while the main warrior Sirko went on a campaign with the Cossack army. Sonya decides to warn the remaining Cossacks in the battle, but for this she needs to pretend to be a boy. After all, it is known that women are not allowed into the Sich. The cat, Asya, comes to the rescue, and the magic made her speak. Asya helps Sonya become a dzhura Ivan, an assistant to the Sich cook. But can the girl keep her secret and help the glorious warriors?
Sonya came to the Zaporozhye Sich from the modern world / open sources
While reading this book, you do not have to pause and tell the children where the Cossacks came from and what the Sich is. The author was able to "weave" this information into the course of history. Little readers will find out who and when founded the main stronghold of the Cossacks, what kurens are, how many Cossacks lived in the Sich, who the chanterellers were, and what extraordinary abilities they possessed.
"Legends about the Kozaks". Elina Zarzhitskaya
"Legends about the Kozaks". Elina Zarzhitskaya / open sources
This book is recommended for extracurricular reading in secondary school (grades 6-7), but you can read it much earlier. Elina Zarzhitskaya has collected the most interesting legends associated not only with the Cossacks, but also with other symbols of Ukraine. The book contains 11 stories, from which children learn about where the viburnum came from, why the crows say "kar", why the bullfinch has a red breast, and to whom St. Nicholas brings gifts. In addition, there are interesting legends about the Cossack woman Stesha, whom even the Tatars feared, or about the Cossack Bystroglyad, who taught the evil gentleman a lesson.
Legends about the Cossacks are written in a simple and easy language / open sources
Cossacks in legends are represented by fantastic people who are endowed with unusual abilities: they know the language of animals and birds, they know how to turn into animals, they can erect a whole bridge across the river. At the same time, they can become a good example for children to follow: the Cossacks according to the book always keep their word, are ready to do anything for the sake of a loved one and no doubt come to the aid of the weak.
"Kazki Lirnik Sashka". Sashko Lirnik
"Kazki Lirnik Sashka". Sashko Lirnik / open sources
An interesting selection of author's tales of the famous Ukrainian writer Sashka Lirnik (real name Alexander Ivanovich Vlasyuk). The book contains 9 fantastic stories, the main characters of which are the Cossacks. They fight against evil spirits, search for the legendary fern flower, sacrifice their lives for love and rise from the dead. Each fairy tale is a new exciting plot for a real science fiction film.
Illustrations for the fairy tale by Sashka Lirnik "bring to life" the characters / open sources
The book is written in a very colorful and lively Ukrainian language, and, moreover, it is accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Each character in the pictures looks like they are alive. Therefore, "kindergarten" children after reading many stories can be scary. But for primary and secondary school age, "Kazki Lirnik Sashka" is just perfect. They have a mystery, a twisted fantastic plot, brave and desperate heroes. If you doubt whether it is worth buying (this is the most expensive book in our collection, it costs about 250 UAH), listen to Lirnik's tales on Youtube: the author himself reads them, and it's completely free.
"Juri Cossack Shvaiki". Vladimir Rutkovsky
"Juri Cossack Shvaiki". Vladimir Rutkovsky / open sources
"Juri Kozak Shvaiki" is a real adventure novel, which consists of three fairly large books. This is the most "adult" book in our collection, which is designed for reading by children from 8 to 12 years old. However, it is so exciting, dynamic and historically rich that it is simply impossible to ignore it in the reading recommendations. Moreover, in recent years, "Dzhuri Kozak Shvaika" has entered the school curriculum for Ukrainian literature.
The main characters are two boys, Sashko and Grits, who are constantly looking for adventure and get into trouble. Because of this, they have to flee to the Zaporizhzhya Sich, where the famous and elusive Cossack Shvaiko takes the guys into the djuras (that is, as assistants). Friends are ready to serve him faithfully, but they just can't wait for their time to fight their enemies. In the meantime, they prepare and mature, each new day brings them incredible new challenges.
"Juri" is included in the school curriculum for literature / open sources
The events in the book are described through children's perception, so the author managed to easily and simply "write" between the lines of the plot the historical moments of the formation of the Cossacks. And in terms of the dynamism of the development of events, many readers put "Dzhur" by Vladimir Rutkovsky next to "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Harry Potter". Therefore, the book is definitely worthy to appear in your library. After all, it is read with enthusiasm not only by children, but also by adults.
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