Baba Yaga ( Ages 4+ )
By ; An Leysen
Publisher : Clavis Books ( September 2016 )
An astounding recreation with a touch of modernity given to a classic Russian folklore, this book is absolutely breathtaking! Having read some lovely Russian myth-tales as a kid I`m always on the hunt for some good new publications for my kids, but rarely find anything fresh.And this one is one of those ; a simplified version without twists written in clear prose and rhyme. Its anime inspired and beautiful, soft pastel shaded illustrations may make you pause at every page turn.
An`s elegant introductory verses together with her grayish sketches of Baba Yaga in her flying cauldron creates the perfect ambiance for a hair-raising journey into the dark forest of Baba Yaga.
" Baba Yaga is an ugly old witch / She has a rusty witches cauldron / That flies by itself...........Stranger still is her house / all crooked and bent / It runs around on chicken legs!!........Baba Yaga`s face is covered with warts / and she likes nasty old toads / ..........and in her mouth / she has just two teeth/ rotten but razor sharp / and you should know this / they say that she uses them..../ to eat naughty children!! "
Larger-than-life images of innocent little Olga holding her magic doll will capture the reader`s hearts easily.
Compelling as ever with a walking house on chicken legs, a scary cat and a dog and a talking doll, all dosed with some fear, love and magic. Kids will return to this-one again and again!!
( With many thanks to Clavis Books and NetGally for the ARC )
