Baba Yaga & The Little Girl: A Russian Folktale

by Katya Arnold

When she is sent by her cruel stepmother to the fearsome Baba Yaga, a clever young girl uses kindness to make her escape.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

1 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Katya Arnold, whose other picture-books taken from the Russian folk tradition include Knock, Knock Teremok! and Baba Yaga , returns to the world of the old forest witch in Baba Yaga & The Little Girl. When her cruel stepmother sends her to fetch a needle and thread from Baba Yaga's house, a little girl follows her aunt's advice, bringing along a ribbon for the birch tree, some oil for the gate-hinges, bread for the dogs, and some ham for the cat. With these gifts, as well as a pretty kerchief for Baba Yaga's maid, the girl manages to escape being made into a meal...

Collected by noted Russian folklorist Alexander Afanasyev in the nineteenth-century, this tale is part of the rich body of work devoted to Baba Yaga, a legendary witch whose exploits are always fascinating. But although the narrative reads well enough, Arnold's illustrations here are more of a hindrance to the story, than a help. Like her earlier Baba Yaga tale, she seems inspired by the lubok print style of Russian art, but somehow it just doesn't work here. Her prints look crowded and confused, and the overall effect is unappealing. It's unfortunate, because I found her first offering quite good, but I'd say that this is one that only Baba Yaga completists will want to hunt down.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done retelling of the old old fairy tale. Illustrations are bright and vivid.