http://www.languagetrainers.com/reviews/course-book-reviews/russian/the-new-penguin-russian-course-a-complete-course-for-beginners - here you can find very good explanation of grammar, in English. As addition to this book, I can suggest "Поехали!" and "Дорога в Россию".

http://www.amazon.com/Introductory-Russian-Grammar-Edition-English/dp/0471007382 The hardcover version costs an arm and a leg. See if you can pick up a used paperback. The vocabulary is, in a few instances, dated, but the treatment of grammar is matchless.

May be this: http://deti-online.com/skazki/russkie-narodnye-skazki/

The best book that I ve ever seen. The registration is too fast. http://www.twirpx.com/file/227142/

It's just me, I start with languages from texts and only after a while resort to textbooks:)