Sweet, lovely Vasilisa lives with her jealous stepmother and stepsisters on the edge of a dark forest inhabited by the evil witch Baba Yaga. One night the stepmother sends Vasilisa to visit Baba Yaga, an errand from which the gentle girl has little chance of returning alive. "An engaging text and accomplished paintings set this version apart....A stylized and classy offering."--School Library Journal.

Once upon a time, these stories of magical transformation were told to young women by their mothers and grandmothers and the wise women of the clan. The heroines of these old tales set out on a difficult road of trials to discover their true destiny. And marrying a prince was not the only goal. These ancient tales of wonder and adventure are about learning to be strong, brave, kind and true-hearted, and trusting in yourself to change the world for the better. -- Back cover.

From the beloved New York Times bestselling author-illustrator of Thank You, Mr. Falker and Pink and Say. Baba Yaga is a witch famous throughout Russia for eating children, but this Babushka Baba Yaga is a lonely old woman who just wants a grandchild--to love. "Kids will respond to the joyful story of the outsider who gets to join in, and Polacco's richly patterned paintings of Russian peasant life on the edge of the woods are full of light and color." -- Booklist "A warm, lively tale, neatly mixing new and old and illustrated with Polacco's usual energetic action, bright folk patterns, and affectionate characterizations." --Kirkus Reviews

A beautiful illustrated collection of fairy tales about the most iconic and active of Russian magical characters

CONTENTSVasilisa the BeautifulTsarevich Ivan and Grey WolfThe two IvansFenist the FalconSister Alyonushka and Brother IvanushkaChestnut-GreyFather FrostGo I Know Not Where, Fetch I Know Not WhatLittle Girl and the Swan-GeeseThe Silver Saucer and the Rosy-Cheeked AppleEmelya and the PikeThe Frog TsarevnaWee Little HavroshechkaMarya Morevna the Lovely TsarevnaIvan - Young of Years, Old of WisdomThe Seven Simeons - Seven Brave Workingmen

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A famous Russian fairy tale about the evil wizard Koschei, beautiful Maria Morevna, and brave tsarevich Alexis. The illustrations included in this edition were created in the early 20th century by the renowned Russian illustrator and stage designer Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin.