Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
3rd out of 72 books
—
2 voters
Vasilissa the Beautiful: A Russian Folktale
by
Elizabeth Winthrop (Goodreads Author),
Alexander Koshkin
Mistreated by her cruel stepmother and jealous stepsisters, Vasilissa has only her little doll to comfort and protect her. But fierce powers await Vasilissa--deep in the forest lives an old witch named Baba Yaga. "Winthrop's supple, unobstrusive retelling is lively with entertaining incident."--Kirkus Reviews, pointered review. Full color.
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
March 1st 1991
by HarperCollins Publishers
(first published 1991)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
106)
Beautiful paintings by Russian artist Alexander Koshkin help to tell this old tale containing remnants of Cinderella and Hansel and Gretal while featuring the Russian witch Baba Yaga. Winthrop says she loves this story because it is women who challenge Vasilissa to grow and to overcome all troubles to reach her success, wealth and happiness in the end.
What a wonderful Russian folk tale! I really enjoyed the story (which is similar to Cinderella AND Hansel and Gretel). Of course, Russian baddie Baba Yaga is in it but Vasilissa is up to the challenge. Also, the artwork (by a Russian artist) is fabulous and beautiful. Simple, yet amazingly detailed--probably the best part about the book.
I wasn't too caught up in this book. In many ways, it resembled Cinderella. Vasilissa has an evil stepmom and two sisters who are very jealous of her. In the end, Vasilissa overcomes her her troubles and marries the Tsar (Prinse) and lives happily ever after. I most likely wouldn't recommend this, just read Cinderella if you haven't.
The illustrations in this book are very beautiful. It is a very creative story because it combines old Russian folktales with both Hansel and Gretal and Cinderella. It would be interesting to use this book in a study on folk tales or fairy tales with 3-4th grade.
This fairy tale is a cross between Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel. The evil Baba Yaga also figures in this tale. The story is enhanced by the beautiful illustrations of renowned Russian artist Alexander Koshkin.
A beautiful book to say the least. In comparison to it's Western equivalent it's emotional dexterity it is by far the victor without the prospect of even competing.
Russian version of Cinderella. Lengthy, but entertaining. Beautiful illustrations.
themes: Baby Yaga, Cinderella, dolls, family, folktales, Russia
themes: Baby Yaga, Cinderella, dolls, family, folktales, Russia
This is the best ever book i read in ma childhood.No one could gave me the fiction which vasillissa and babaiga gave me.
Jun 13, 2013
Nicole Bains
marked it as to-read
May 07, 2013
Daniela
marked it as to-read
Apr 18, 2013
Misty
marked it as to-read
Apr 10, 2013
Britt
marked it as to-read
Mar 30, 2013
Erin
marked it as to-read
Feb 09, 2013
Jina Gibbs
marked it as to-read
Dec 26, 2012
Lynette Tyler
marked it as to-read
Dec 24, 2012
Sheena
marked it as to-read
Nov 26, 2012
Literary Labyrinth
marked it as to-read
Oct 24, 2012
Rhianna Neel
marked it as to-read
Oct 01, 2012
Michelle Anjirbag
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
ELIZABETH WINTHROP is the author of over sixty works of fiction for all ages.
Her new picture book, MAIA AND THE MONSTER BABY, with illustrations by Amanda Haley will be published by Holiday House in August, 2012.
Writing as Elizabeth Winthrop Alsop, she has just published an ebook memoir piece entitled DON'T KNOCK UNLESS YOU'RE BLEEDING, Growing up in Cold War Washington. The working title for her...more
More about Elizabeth Winthrop...
Her new picture book, MAIA AND THE MONSTER BABY, with illustrations by Amanda Haley will be published by Holiday House in August, 2012.
Writing as Elizabeth Winthrop Alsop, she has just published an ebook memoir piece entitled DON'T KNOCK UNLESS YOU'RE BLEEDING, Growing up in Cold War Washington. The working title for her...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
