"Red Garden - Bear, Hare & Fox" (1970) is a notable example of Soviet children's book illustration from a period when the USSR was creating some of its most innovative literature for young audiences. Illustrated by Viktor Ivanovich Vasilchenko for the "Red Garden" publishing house, these sketches highlight a unique blend of traditional storytelling and modern artistic vision. This era marked a golden age of Soviet children’s illustration, where artists were granted creative freedom to experiment within ideological boundaries - the result: a playful yet purposefully curated aesthetic.

The triptych's composition uses visual progression to enhance storytelling, with each panel featuring a single anthropomorphized character—a violin-playing fox, a drumming hare, and a skiing bear—set against minimalist winter scenes. Each character takes centre stage within its frame, creating a balanced rhythm that unifies the sequence. Approval stamps at the bottom of each sketch provide a glimpse into the Soviet editorial process, showing the official endorsement required for publication.

Vasilchenko employs a controlled yet vibrant colour palette, with a bright orange fox, white-and-blue hare, and brown bear adding visual contrast while maintaining cohesion. His fluid brushwork combines simple, bold shapes with detailed expressions, achieving a whimsical tone well-suited for young readers. The watercolours are skillfully applied, defining each character distinctly against the atmospheric winter backdrop, embodying a departure from strict Socialist Realism toward a lighter, child-friendly aesthetic.

Trained under Moses Wolstein and Alexander Filbert at the Voroshilovgrad Art School, Vasilchenko brings a Ukrainian artistic sensibility to his work. His background in landscape and genre painting is evident in the environmental details, while his experience as an art educator shines through in the engaging, accessible imagery. These officially sanctioned illustrations reflect the high artistic standards within Soviet children's publishing, showcasing how state-backed projects could foster both creative integrity and cultural impact.