Baba Yaga Galore
Baba Yaga is a Russian fairy tale. She’s a witch who eats children, unless you are clever enough to trick her. She lives in a house with the legs of a chicken and a fence made of bones and flies around in a mortar and pestle. I found a heap of books that tell or retell this story in a bunch of interesting different ways, many of them portraying Baba Yaga more sympathetically than the original. Whether you’re looking for a picture book, graphic novel, middle grade, or young adult, I’ve got you covered below. приятного чтения (happy reading)!
The Flying Witch by Jane Yolen and Vladimir Vagin (2000)
In this picture book, a clever girl and her father outsmart Baba Yaga and teach her to prefer vegetables over children for her dinners.
Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire (2014)
This young adult novel by the author of Wicked focuses on Russian history and literature. Elena lives in Miersk with very little. Her father is dead, her brothers have been sent away, and her mother is sick. Pampered Ekaterina is on her way to meet the godson of the Tsar. When the two switch places, one meets Baba Yaga and the other encounters the Firebird. Baba Yaga, her house, and her cat Mewster become key players in the resolution of the tale.
Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola and Emily Carroll (2015)
This graphic novel is a modern retelling of Baba Yaga. Masha applies to be Baba Yaga’s assistant as a way to develop her own magic. She proves her worth and value by helping the witch as well as her captives.
The Door by the Staircase by Katherine Marsh and Kelly Murphy (2015)
An orphan longing for a home is adopted by Madame Z (aka Baba Yaga). When Mary realizes that her guardian intends to eat her, she turns to Jacob, a magician and friend in the nearby town, for help. Mary uses her wits to outsmart Baba Yaga and create the home she is seeking.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik (2015)
In this young adult high fantasy based on Polish folklore, Agnieszka is the unlucky one chosen by the local wizard to serve him for 10 years. When she discovers a book of Yaga’s magic, she finds she can cast the spells — ones even the wizard can’t. She works with him to fight against the evil in the woods that is taking over their region.
Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter (2016)
Inspired by the folktale Vasilisa the Beautiful, this young adult novel is set in an enchanted version of Brooklyn. Vassa encounters Baba Yaga, called Babs, when she goes to the bewitching convenience store to buy lightbulbs. She is accused of stealing and must work for Babs for three nights to earn her freedom. With the help of a sentient doll Vassa’s mother gave her, she fights to live through those three nights.
The House with the Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson (2018)
Marinka’s grandmother is a Yaga, one who guides the dead to the stars and their afterlife. Marinka will be the next Yaga in her line, but she’d rather spend her time with the living. Although the Yagas have houses with chicken legs and fences made of bones as in the original tale, I liked this twist away from the eating-of-children pattern. A sweet book about choosing your path and grieving your past.