PETER AND THE BLUE WITCH BABY

A young Tsar in search of a wife incautiously spurns a witch’s advances before finding true happiness with the Sun’s little sister. Naturally, the witch takes umbrage, transforming herself into a giant blue baby with clashing iron teeth (“CLING! CLANG!”) and chasing after him. Thanks to some earlier good deeds, the Tsar is defended by three giants who throw up natural obstacles to slow her down, and in the end she falls off the edge of the world. Natchev, who also illustrated the indefatigable San Souci’s rendition of The Hobyahs (1994) dresses his dashing hero and other figures in elaborate, intricately patterned clothing, catches the story’s energy with vigorous pen strokes, and gives the towering witch/toddler a thrillingly malevolent aspect. Good fun for Baba Yaga fans. No source notes, though. (Folk tale. 7-9)