Ivan Ivanych Samovar

"Ivan Ivanych Samovar" is a light-hearted morality tale in verse with a very unusual hero: a glorious family samovar, who serves his funny, tea-loving family both well and wisely.


Written by the absurdist poet Daniil Kharms, "Ivan Ivanych Samovar" was first published in 1928 as a picture book with rich illustrations by Vera Ermolaeva, and

is still, 85 years later, one of the most popular Russian children's poems.


This verse translation, appearing for the first time in English, preserves Kharms's rhythms, rhymes, and style. Published with all of the original 1928 illustrations, it is both a colorful example of the rich children's culture of the early Soviet Union, and a lively poem for reading aloud.


Includes brief texts about the author, the illustrator, and, of course, the hero: the Russian samovar.