Drawing on Russian folk tale sources the author [of The Adventures of Strong Vanya], has fashioned his own folk story about strong Vanya, the youngest and laziest of Vassily Grigorevitch's three sons, who eventually becomes tsar of the land beyond the White Mountains. Following supernatural advice, Vanya does nothing but lie on a stove and eat sunflower seeds for seven years until possessed of sufficient strength to set off on his long journey and claim his great title. The bulk of the story documents his acts of courage and daring which he performs with more humour and kindness than most heroes.

It is very hard to imitate folk tales satisfactorily, but this seems to be entirely successful. The narrative is amusing, simply told and as astonishing as a folk story should be. (pp. 486-87)