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(3)
4-6
Twelve-year-old Marinka chafes against her lonely destiny as she trains to be a Yaga like her grandmother, a witch who guides the dead to their afterlife among the stars. When she rebelliously pursues her desires at the expense of her responsibilities, everything spirals out of control. In this lyrical story, inspired by Russian folklore and shot through with grief, Marinka finds a way to balance her needs with those of others. Glos.
48 pp.
| Minedition
| February, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-988-8240-50-0$19.99
(3)
K-3
Retold by Anthea Bell.
Translated by Anthea Bell.
A complex tale with Cinderella-like themes, translated and adapted from great Russian folklorist Alexander Afanasyev's original. Russian artist Morgunova's fanciful, finely detailed illustrations recall the aesthetics of Chagall, Klimt, and Picasso but are also uniquely beautiful. In a short introduction, the illustrator describes her interpretation of Baba Yaga, the woman from whom Vasilisa must get light, as an enchantress rather than a witch.
279 pp.
| Disney/Hyperion
| January, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-3499-2$16.99
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Kelly Murphy.
Twelve-year-old orphan Mary can hardly believe her luck when she is adopted by Madame Zolotaya. Then Mary discovers Madame Zolotaya's true identity: Baba Yaga, that old crone from Russian folklore known for eating children. Instead of fearing her, Mary decides to ask Baba Yaga to teach her magic. Plucky Mary is a heroine to root for; figures from Russian folklore pop up throughout.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2016
(4)
K-3
Multicultural Fairy Tales series.
Meister gathers Beauty and the Beast stories from France, China, and Switzerland and Hansel and Gretel tales from Germany, Russia, Italy, and the Philippines. Each collection begins with a familiar Western version and then encourages comparison via appended writing prompts. While the retellings and illustrations are undistinguished, the variants are well chosen to highlight folktales as a global genre. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers the following Multicultural Fairy Tales titles: Beauty and the Beast Stories Around the World and Hansel and Gretel Stories Around the World.
304 pp.
| Tor Teen
| September, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7653-8054-8$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-7653-8622-9
(3)
YA
When Brooklyn teen Vassa heads into the endless night to buy lightbulbs, BY's (a convenience store on chicken legs) witchy owner Babs won't let her leave. With help from smart-aleck magical doll Erg, Vassa frees herself and other prisoners. Strangely lovely imagery mixes with the straight-up weird for a vivid, enjoyable urban fantasy inspired by Russian folktale "Vassilissa the Beautiful."
132 pp.
| Candlewick
| August, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-6961-4$16.99
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Emily Carroll.
After Masha's beloved grandmother dies, Masha answers a help-wanted ad to become assistant to the child-eating folkloric character. To win the position, Masha must creatively accomplish challenges set forth by Baba Yaga. This graphic novel shines in its pacing, harmony of image and text, and use of flashbacks and stories-within-stories to advance plot. With vivid coloring, Carroll's digital art establishes setting and tone.
Reviewer: Elisa Gall
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2015
(1)
YA
An imprisoned man tells his story, Scheherazade-like, in letters to the tsar. He begins with Elena, a young girl in the impoverished Russian countryside, who meets privileged Ekaterina. Their lives collide and intertwine. Maguire savors every inch of his elaborate narrative, introducing tropes from Russian folktales and giving his characters plenty of play, especially the hardboiled Baba Yaga, who seems to exist outside of time.
Reviewer: Nina Lindsay
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2014
32 pp.
| Pelican
| March, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58980-980-2$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Barry Root.
Little Buddie Earl travels to the Peach-Pickin' Festival in the back of his father's old jalopy, yodeling along the way. The family wonders, "What’s the use of that?" until his talent eventually makes them all proud. The warm hues aptly portray the heat of the South, while the playful use of language and repetition makes for a genial read-out-loud. No source note is included for this adaptation of a Russian folktale.
(3)
K-3
This winningly tongue-in-cheek takeoff on the Russian folktale "The Turnip" changes the vegetable to a giant stalk of asparagus and the setting to Renaissance Italy, where a king enlists help to yank the green "monster" out of his yard. Radunsky's confiding omniscient narrator ("Oh. I almost forgot. How silly of me") and whimsical art draw readers into the nonsensical story.
48 pp.
| Raintree
| March, 2002
|
LibraryISBN 0-7398-4979-4$$27.12
(4)
4-6
Mythic World series.
Each book in this series is divided into ten chapters; each chapter presents a myth along with historical context and related information about language, religion, and lifestyle. The unexciting presentation is redeemed by archival reproductions, illustrations, and photographs that add interest to the text. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Mythic World titles: Myths of Oceania, Myths of Russia and the Slavs, Myths of West Africa, Myths of China and Japan. ]
32 pp.
| HarperCollins
| May, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-06-028538-9$$15.95
|
LibraryISBN 0-06-028539-7$$15.89
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Vladimir Vagin.
Yolen uses quiet humor and well-chosen descriptors to retell the story of the ballet based on the Russian tale in which the magic Firebird rescues a prince from an evil wizard. Vagin's colorful, detailed illustrations portray the action of the story, while artwork along the bottom of each spread follows the ballet from the overture to the final pas de deux. An author's note on the folktale and the ballet includes sources.
32 pp.
| Crocodile
| December, 2002
|
TradeISBN 1-56656-459-X$$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Stefan Czernecki.
In this original tale, a prince seeks to repay the debt his father had forgotten he owes to the sea king and wins the heart of the sea king's eldest daughter. Although initially striking, the illustrations are flat and fail to enliven this story that plunders Russian folklore (even Baba Yaga makes an appearance) without achieving imaginative depth.
96 pp.
| Oxford
| March, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-19-274536-0$$19.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Andrew Breakspeare.
Ten tales, including "The Frog Princess" and "The Firebird," are retold in this attractive collection. Cheerful spot art and folksy full-page illustrations in a rainbow palette add some whimsy to this varied selection of humorous, sad, and scary tales. All work well as read-alouds. Source notes are appended.
32 pp.
| Candlewick
| October, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-7636-1619-2$$15.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Helen Cann.
After spending the night at Baboushka's house, the three kings invite her to join them as they look for the Christ child. After she cleans the toys she plans to bring as gifts, she leaves too late, just missing the kings and the newborn baby in Bethlehem. Year after year she continues to search, giving away toys to sleeping children. Watercolors with a distinctly Russian folktale flavor accompany this pleasant retelling.
32 pp.
| Atheneum
| May, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-689-82482-3$$17.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Anna Vojtech.
In a tale from the Scandinavian tradition, Vanishia, the daughter of the moon, rejects the fiery son of the sun and marries one of the Brothers of the Northern Lights, bringing the sun's vengeance upon herself and her husband. Luminous watercolors in contrasting blue and yellow tones with strong lines sweeping across wide skies lend a dreamy quality to this tragic tale.
32 pp.
| Putnam
| July, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-399-22925-6$$15.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Susan Gaber.
A merchant sends his two sons out into the world. Vasilii's deceits repeatedly get him into trouble, but Ivan (dreamy, yet wiser) wins respect, a kingdom, and the service of his father and brother. Martin's excellent source note sets this Russian tale in the context of stories from several cultures that contrast worldly realists with generous dreamers. Gaber's lush, stylized scenes are satisfyingly dramatic and expressive.
32 pp.
| Doubleday
| September, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-385-32269-0$$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Alexi Natchev.
The young Tsar Peter rejects the jealous witch Molnya, and she curses him with ruin when he chooses a bride. When Peter courts the Little Sister of the Sun, Molnya transforms herself into a giant baby and proceeds to devour his castle. Exuberant cartoonish illustrations bring out the humor in this deliciously scary tale.
(3)
K-3
Viking Easy-to-Read series.
Illustrated by
Julia Zanes.
Appropriately simple text and mixed-media illustrations combine to create a fine retelling for beginning readers of the classic Russian tale. Bits of fabric enhance soft blue and green watercolor washes to convey the wintry scenes. Story and illustrations are well-matched, enabling readers to use visual clues to help decipher the text.
32 pp.
| Atheneum
| May, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-689-81336-8$$16.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Katya Krenina.
When Emelya the simpleton catches a pike in his water bucket, the fish promises to grant all his wishes in exchange for its freedom. By the time Emelya stops wishing, he has won the love of the Tsar's daughter and acquired a palace of his own. The illustrations create a snowy Russian setting and add to the humor of Emelya's escapades. An author's note includes a brief note on both the source and the adaptation.