Illustrations by Nadja Glazunova. After an orphaned girl in Old Russia walks deep into the forest to visit a hermit who prays for her brother's healing, she returns home to a wonderful sight. Old Russia comes to life in this tale of a poor orphan girl who braves the dangers of the deep forest to find healing for her crippled brother. The poetic text and colorful illustrations draw on their roots in the classic fairy-tale tradition to tell a story of the triumph of courage, faith, and love.  

From the story, "So starts the story of two orphans' prayers, for morning, noon, and night they prayed. They prayed for their mother, whos was with them no more.  They prayed for their father, who was killed in the war.  They prayed in the spring, when the seed was sowed.  They prayed in the summer, when the hay was mowed.  They prayed in the fall, when the harvest ame in. They prayed in the winter, with its snow and wind.  Only one prayer prayed Tanya alone: From morning's light when the church bells pealed to evening's dark when the door was sealed, continually Tanya silently cried, Please Mother of God, let my brother be healed."

A living book for all ages!