Sergei Alexeyev's Russian history in tales has the people of Russia as its leading character and tells the story of their centuries-long progress towards freedom. Their road took them up to the present day through struggle with their oppressors and fierce battles with foreign invaders. Each historical stage produced its own heroes.
In 1978 the Hans Christian Andersen award jury of the international board on books for young people chose Sergei Alexeyev's Russian history in tales for its certificate of honour "as an outstanding example of literature with international importance".