Thursday, June 16, 2011

Favorite Things: Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave

Here is the second edition of Favorite Things, this time it is a non-fashion item!  When I was little my sister got a book called Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave. It quickly became one of our favorite books and we would read it together every.single.night!  It took us hours, which I find really funny now since its not that long. One of the main reasons I love this book now is the illustrations by Kinuko Y. Craft, they are simply amazing!

It is basically a Russian version of Cinderella but with one major difference, there is an evil witch woman in addition to the evil stepmother.  I won't spoil anything by telling you the full story, but here areis a description from the publisher's website:
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. 
If you want to read it or just look at the gorgeous pictures you can order it on Amazon. Here are the first few pages, click to enlarge them.


Image Source

29 comments:

  1. the nyanzi reportJune 16, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    looks like a great book to own.

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  2. classiqJune 16, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    What a lovely post! I hadn't heard about it, but Russian culture is fascinating, plus Russian writers are amongst my favourites. :)Ada

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  3. Radiant Make UpJune 16, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    completely gorgeous :)
    thanks so much for sharing!! x

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  4. RachelJune 16, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    I'm familiar with the story, but the illustrations in this one are absolutely beautiful!

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  5. Emily, Ruby Slipper JourneysJune 16, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    That book looks amazing. I still love children's books (especially with awesome illustrations). I'll have to check it out!

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  6. AnonymousJune 16, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    wow! this is gorgeous, my danish grandma actually gave me this book from her attic a couple of days ago which was kinda similar. it's like an old fairy tale with amazing illustrations, shame it's all in danish!

    x

    http://ramzandtheflock.blogspot.com/

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  7. Just Another ShopaholicJune 16, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    These illustrations are so pretty!

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  8. Courtney ErinJune 16, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Oh wow, I remember this story from when I was a kid - I used to love it!

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

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  9. IsabelJune 16, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    one of my fav books was the balloon tree! ive never read this one tho but it sounds like i would have loved it.

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  10. EllieJune 16, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    All so gorgeous!!
    have a great day!
    -Ellie

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  11. Fé...June 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    OMG. This is like one of my favorite books when I was a little girl. I've never met anyone who has read this book before, you're the first! You've caught me surprised!

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  12. LyddieGalJune 16, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Sounds like a cool book - maybe i'll gift it to one of my little cousisns!

    Chic on the Cheap

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  13. Flight of Fancy BoutiqueJune 16, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Wow that is a very good book, especially as I'm interested in fairytales like that. xx

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  14. yiqin;June 16, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    i really need to read more :x

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  15. marie a la modeJune 16, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    My Polish relatives always talked about "Baba Yaga" when i was growing up. I was scared of her and thought she was a ghost!

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  16. AlexaJune 16, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Baba Jaga not Yaga :D Anyway great ilustrations!

    urbanchouchou.blogspot.com

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  17. FRANKIE HEARTS FASHIONJune 16, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Wow...I don't remember this story but sounds great! xo

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  18. MJJune 16, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Thats so cool that you'll be at the harry potter premiere too! I'm not sure if I'm going as a guest or a fan- have fun though!

    stylebymj.blogspot.com

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  19. MJJune 16, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Also following you now!

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  20. AmberJune 16, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    the illustrations are stunning

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  21. NerisJune 16, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    I've never heard of this book... Now you got me all intrigued and I'll have to check it out!

    xxx,

    Fashion Fractions

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  22. AnnaJune 16, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    baba yaga used to be something adults scared us children with back in poland when I was younger :) It would be lovely to get this! It's actually quite expensive though!

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  23. FashionJazzJune 16, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    The illustations are stunning hun : )

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  24. FashionJazzJune 16, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    Lol, sorry I meant illustrations : )

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  25. Laura MullinsJune 16, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    cool!! haha i want to read this now

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  26. JulesJune 16, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing! I'm going to run out and find this book!

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  27. Rachella - flourishingfit.comJune 17, 2011 at 2:44 AM

    I didn't know this book. It sounds very interesting x

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  28. AnonymousJune 17, 2011 at 4:26 AM

    I've read this book. It is really interesting and of course, I will give a copy of it to my future children. Wonderful book!

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  29. Aśa :)June 17, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    I know this story very well :)

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