OOOOoooo! What an exciting and magical book. I found myself REALLY enjoying the story of the old ones (Babushkas - grandmothers) and the Baba Yaga (creature of the forest, the last of her kind) who longed to be part of the community of elders. The characters are so unique, which has been the case with Polacco's books. The author came from a family of storytellers with rich family heritage, and has taken a Russian folktale which was told to her, and adapted it in this picture book.
The Baba Yaga in this book is an enchanted creature who is constantly surrounded by little fairies and forest animals. She has pointed ears, deeply creased skin, a scrunchy face, and is covered by earth. The Baba Yaga sneaks into one of the Babushka's gardens and "borrows" some of the clothing hanging on the clothes line. She disguises herself as a Babushka and introduces herself to the villagers and becomes "Babushka" herself. She begins caring for a little red-haired, freckly boy - Victor. The illustrations use bright, vibrant palette of watercolors to illustrate the magic of the forest and warmth and feelings of community and security in the village.
The Babushkas (and Baba Yaga) are all gathered together one afternoon telling stories and legends, when the tale of the Baba Yaga comes up. The Babushkas speak of the horrible witch-like creature who lurks in the forests and at night comes into the villages and steals children from their beds. The Babushkas say that the Baba Yaga gobbles up babies. The Babushkas threated the children:
"And if you don't behave, she'll come and get you!"
How horrifying! Victor was deeply troubled at the thought of a creature who eats children, and the Baba Yaga feared that she would be discovered and therefore destroy the bond she had created with the boy. "She left, never to return." Finally the Baba Yaga is able to prove herself as a loving being who has been greatly misunderstood, and the people of the village open their hearts to the Baba Yaga.
An important message is learned:
"Those who judge one another on what they hear or see, and not what they know of them in their hearts, are fools indeed!"
What a delightful story! Good for all ages!
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