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A young girl with a magical doll is sent on an errand by her stepmother to the evil witch Baba Yaga, who lives in the forest in a hut mounted on chicken legs, surrounded by glowing skulls.
In this spooky tale translated from the original Russian by Anthea Bell, the stars reflect Vasilisa’s optimism. Surrealist art awash in shades of blue and gray deepen the feeling, and the young girl appears lost in a dream.
Vasilisa becomes Baba Yaga’s servant. White, red, and black horseman ride by sometimes, but they seem remote. She wonders how she will complete all the work Baba Yaga told her to do if she ever hopes to leave the forest. Her doll comforts her again and again as tries to fall asleep: “Never fear, lie down and sleep…Morning is wiser than evening as you will see.” The lovely, picture-filled text and the comforting words of her doll drive home her loneliness..and hope. Finally she leaves the forest and is reunited with her father, who comes to live with her in the palace of the Tsar.
The cover illustration of Vasilisa and her doll in a cocoon filled with birds and flowers will appeal to children of all ages. This book is a must-have for fans of classic fairy tales.
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Lana Kuhns/2016 for curled
up with a good kid's book |
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For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews,
visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)
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Vasilisa the Beautiful: A Russian Folktale