BABA YAGA
A Russian Folktale
adapted by Eric A. Kimmel & illustrated by Megan Lloyd
Another briskly-told variant of the Cinderella-cum-Hansel and Gretel story also recounted in Vasilissa the Beautiful (p. 253/C-49). Kimmel's telling—grand for reading aloud—brings out the humor, as do Lloyd's lively, cheerful illustrations that— despite some Russian hats and intriguing details like the witch's fence of bone—look as much like Appalachia as like Russia. The two renditions, both good, are quite different in flavor: complementary, not redundant. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-8)