Finding Baba Yaga

Finding Baba Yaga
Jane Yolen
Tor, October, 2018 131 pages
Grades 7-Up
Narrative Poetry/Fairytale

Narrative poems relate the story of Natasha, who flees an abusive father and runs away, living rough with no food or shelter. Eventually she finds her way to the woods, where she encounters the famous house on chicken legs. Natasha is immediately taken in by the old crone, Baba Yaga, who shows her around and puts her to work. Not long after, Vasilisa joins the household and the two become friends. Vasilisa falls in love with a prince, runs away, and leaves Natasha (and Baba Yaga) behind. Natasha draws even closer to the old hag, who begins to train her in witchcraft, pestle riding, and spell casting, eventually fully saying goodbye to her own life and preparing to take over as the new Baba Yaga.

I am a sucker for a good Baba Yaga tale. She is my favorite fairytale character and I read every new version released about her. Most recently I read Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter, also put out by Tor, which although set in modern Brooklyn, really is remarkably close to the original tale. Renowned folklorist, Yolen, offers a brief, yet poetic version, which diverts a bit from the original, adding a whole new character: Natasha. Natasha is clearly a victim of abuse and sees life with the famous witch an escape and a haven instead of a prison. We feel her loss of Vasilisa as keenly as the old witch and pity the loneliness of being left behind. This book reads quickly and is very short, which will appeal to students. Yolen writes conservatively, making each word count, and her poems are lyrical and haunting. The dark mood of the tale is fully realized and readers will truly feel transported to the woods and into a house with chicken legs. A brief forward offers a bit of the tale's background. The published book will contain illustrations not included in the advanced reader’s copy I got my hands on, as well as a reading group guide. An old tale revisited, still providing delicious spine tingling entertainment to a new audience.