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Bony-Legs
When a terrible witch vows to eat her for supper, a little girl escapes with the help of a mirror and comb given to her by the witch's cat and dog.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1983
28 people are currently reading
1667 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Cole
488 books204 followersJoanna Cole, who also wrote under the pseudonym B. J. Barnet, was an author of children’s books who teaches science.
She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books. Joanna Cole wrote over 250 books ranging from her first book Cockroach to her famous series Magic School Bus.
Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby East Orange. She loved science as a child, and had a teacher she says was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University before graduating from the City College of New York with a B.A. in psychology. After some graduate education courses, she spent a year as a librarian in a Brooklyn elementary school. Cole subsequently became a letters correspondent at Newsweek, and then a senior editor for Doubleday Books for Young Readers.
She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books. Joanna Cole wrote over 250 books ranging from her first book Cockroach to her famous series Magic School Bus.
Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby East Orange. She loved science as a child, and had a teacher she says was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University before graduating from the City College of New York with a B.A. in psychology. After some graduate education courses, she spent a year as a librarian in a Brooklyn elementary school. Cole subsequently became a letters correspondent at Newsweek, and then a senior editor for Doubleday Books for Young Readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
June 23, 2020
This is a folktale about Baba Yaga, the evil witch, called Bony-Legs in this story. I have to say that this is the old way of seeing witches. Witches were vilified by people for a long time, even though they were mostly herbalist. So, I don't really like the Evil witch troupe, but...
This is a good telling of the stony. A girl is going to look for a needle and thread for her mother when she comes across the house in the forest with chicken feet. She is a kind girl and she helps the gate, the dog, the cat on the way to the house. So when the witch wants to eat her with her iron teeth, the cat, dog and gate help her get away.
The story is good and scary. There is plenty to send chills down the spines of kiddies here. The artwork is decent, it sets the tone of being edgy and a bit scary. So, it's an evil witch, but I still enjoyed the story, so I'll see Bony-Legs as the exception to the rule on witches.
This is a good telling of the stony. A girl is going to look for a needle and thread for her mother when she comes across the house in the forest with chicken feet. She is a kind girl and she helps the gate, the dog, the cat on the way to the house. So when the witch wants to eat her with her iron teeth, the cat, dog and gate help her get away.
The story is good and scary. There is plenty to send chills down the spines of kiddies here. The artwork is decent, it sets the tone of being edgy and a bit scary. So, it's an evil witch, but I still enjoyed the story, so I'll see Bony-Legs as the exception to the rule on witches.
July 4, 2022
It's a good adaptation of the Baba Yaga tale, with very minor changes like the names: the witch is called Bony-Legs and the girl Sasha, and adheres to the original tale pretty closely. I didn't like the art style, and that was the major downside for me, it's an old-school cartoon-like style that young children will take to easily as it's traditional for stories aimed at them.
June 25, 2020
Dispatched by her mother to fetch a needle and thread, Sasha finds her way to the home of Bony-Legs, a terrible child-eating witch whose house in the forest rests on chicken feet. Here her actions in oiling the gate and feeding the dog and cat are repaid, as each aid her when she must escape the witch, intent on cooking her. Fleeing through the now silent gate, Sasha uses the mirror and comb given to her by the cat and dog to create obstacles for the witch - the mirror is transformed into a lake, the comb into a massive barrier - and thereby making it safely home...
Although author Joanna Cole does not include any author's note to that effect, Bony-Legs is a retelling of the classic Russian folktale of Baba Yaga and the Little Girl, which has many variants. The language is simple - this is as much an early reader as a picture-book - but nevertheless expressive, and Cole manages to spin an engrossing story, despite the limited lexicon necessitated by the early reader format. The artwork by Dirk Zimmer, who also illustrated Alvin Schwartz's In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories , is deliciously creepy, and captures the suspense of the story. I was torn in rating this, as I found it quite engaging, but was also genuinely irritated by the fact that Cole didn't include any mention of source material. This robs the child of the knowledge that he or she is reading a story from another culture, and prevents them from seeking other stories about the eponymous figure - the terrifying Baba Yaga. Hopefully adult caregivers will be more knowledgable, and fill in that information. If half stars were available, I'd give this 3.5, because of this issue, but as they are not, I'll be generous and round up to 4. Recommended to early readers looking for deliciously creepy stories about witches.
Although author Joanna Cole does not include any author's note to that effect, Bony-Legs is a retelling of the classic Russian folktale of Baba Yaga and the Little Girl, which has many variants. The language is simple - this is as much an early reader as a picture-book - but nevertheless expressive, and Cole manages to spin an engrossing story, despite the limited lexicon necessitated by the early reader format. The artwork by Dirk Zimmer, who also illustrated Alvin Schwartz's In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories , is deliciously creepy, and captures the suspense of the story. I was torn in rating this, as I found it quite engaging, but was also genuinely irritated by the fact that Cole didn't include any mention of source material. This robs the child of the knowledge that he or she is reading a story from another culture, and prevents them from seeking other stories about the eponymous figure - the terrifying Baba Yaga. Hopefully adult caregivers will be more knowledgable, and fill in that information. If half stars were available, I'd give this 3.5, because of this issue, but as they are not, I'll be generous and round up to 4. Recommended to early readers looking for deliciously creepy stories about witches.
May 13, 2015
Baba Yaga type witch is thwarted of her chance to eat a small girl by the intervention of her cat, dog, and gate, to whom the child has shown kindness.
July 13, 2016
Very similar to how I imagine Maurice Sendak would have presented Baba Yaga.
December 28, 2025
"She could run very fast on her bony old legs. Her teeth were made of iron, and she liked to eat little children."In this story, Sasha lives with her aunt and is sent out to borrow a needle and thread. And so she sets off into the forest.
Sasha uses her meager rations to help objects and animals on her way to visit the witch in the forest. And when the witch turns on her, those creatures are ready to help Sasha when she needs it most.
"She walked and walked. She was surprised when she came to a hut that stood on chicken feet."
I was looking for stories about Baba Yaga and stumbled upon this unsettling tale - and it was exactly what I wanted.
The old-style art gave the story a okay vibe - I would have liked for it to commit more to the creep factor.
And while Sasha's bravery was enjoyable to watch, the story did feel a bit predictable.
Bony-Legs was suitably creepy - both in looks and mannerisms - but I feel like the author could have pushed this a bit more.
All in all, this is a spooky tale, but a satisfying one.
September 24, 2008
This is a great book to read if you want to scare the pants off your four-year-old! Bony-Legs is a creepy old witch who lives in a house that stands on chicken feet (at this point, the bizarrely creepy illustrations were causing my child's breath to come faster). Sasha, our young heroine, is supposed to be borrowing some thread for her mother, but of course she ends up in Bony-Legs' clutches (at this point I asked if I should stop reading the book, and the reply was: "Yes! No! Yes! No!" We read on).
Nice and clever Sasha does manage to get away in the end (luckily. At least my little girl has a chance at getting some sleep tonight). A good pre-Halloween read, but not for the faint of heart.
This book inspired me to check out Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, because that's what scared me when I was little. Review TK.
Nice and clever Sasha does manage to get away in the end (luckily. At least my little girl has a chance at getting some sleep tonight). A good pre-Halloween read, but not for the faint of heart.
This book inspired me to check out Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, because that's what scared me when I was little. Review TK.
September 11, 2014
This was a great book that I had read as a child. I always thought it was such a good book, and now that I'm older and think it was a great teaching tool for young minds.
This book was a great story plot, a book with good morals, Teaches them to treat others good and with respect you never know when you might need a helping hand, and other great life lessons for children, and let kids know even in the worst places if you try your best you can do anything! And isn't that what we try to teach children anyway?
So happy I found this to share with everyone especially people with young minds this is the book for you.. (Or if you just want to look through a book that's tastefully done and actually pretty funny!)
This book was a great story plot, a book with good morals, Teaches them to treat others good and with respect you never know when you might need a helping hand, and other great life lessons for children, and let kids know even in the worst places if you try your best you can do anything! And isn't that what we try to teach children anyway?
So happy I found this to share with everyone especially people with young minds this is the book for you.. (Or if you just want to look through a book that's tastefully done and actually pretty funny!)
December 20, 2017
Brilliant easy reader adaptation of a Russian folk classic. Dirk Zimmer's illustrations (watercolors on pen-and-ink) are detailed and distinctive. Despite his use of bright pastel colors, Baba Yaga is suitably scary. This version has been praised for its subtle approach, which makes the tale "family friendly" without destroying it.
February 23, 2023
I read this to my kids every halloween season. it’s always a hit. just eerie enough to the youngest ears.
March 25, 2010
My mom and dad used to read this to me every night before I went to sleep. Looking back, I think my parents had more nightmares than I ever did. Joanna Cole, in my opinion, is a brilliant author. Her creative storyline and imagination make this a wonderful read. When I do become a father, I am going to share this book with my children as well. The story follows a young girl named Sasha, who after traveling deep into the woods in search of a needle and thread, must escape from an evil witch named Bony-Legs. Dirk Zimmer's incredible illustrations make
Bony-Legs scary enough for young readers. Nothing violent or intense happens during the story; parents and teachers alike can appreciate that. The character is based on an old, Russian folktale called, "Baba Yaga" who is a terrible witch that eats children. Many legends following that particular character tend to be very frightening, so Joanna Cole's kid-friendly version is a much safer read.
There are certain books that have stuck with me throughout the years, and this is one of them. Amazon.com has used copies for amazing deals, or you can usually find a copy at your local library.
Bony-Legs scary enough for young readers. Nothing violent or intense happens during the story; parents and teachers alike can appreciate that. The character is based on an old, Russian folktale called, "Baba Yaga" who is a terrible witch that eats children. Many legends following that particular character tend to be very frightening, so Joanna Cole's kid-friendly version is a much safer read.
There are certain books that have stuck with me throughout the years, and this is one of them. Amazon.com has used copies for amazing deals, or you can usually find a copy at your local library.
October 22, 2022
When Sasha is sent to borrow a needle and thread, she unknowingly pays a visit to Bony-Legs’s house.
Bony-Legs is Baba Yaga, the bony-legged. She is a witch who lives in a house on chicken legs deep in forest, flies in a mortar and pestle that she steers with her broom, and features prominently into Slavic folklore and legend. Baba Yaga is usually portrayed as a wicked witch who loves to eat bad children, but she is often sought out by heroes for her wisdom.
This is the most Americanized/anglicized retelling of “Vasilisa the Beautiful” I have ever read. In fact, when I read it as a child growing up in the Midwest, even though the little girl in the story had the odd name Sasha, there was nothing that made me think that Bony-Legs couldn't be living in woods near my house.
Bony-Legs is Baba Yaga, the bony-legged. She is a witch who lives in a house on chicken legs deep in forest, flies in a mortar and pestle that she steers with her broom, and features prominently into Slavic folklore and legend. Baba Yaga is usually portrayed as a wicked witch who loves to eat bad children, but she is often sought out by heroes for her wisdom.
This is the most Americanized/anglicized retelling of “Vasilisa the Beautiful” I have ever read. In fact, when I read it as a child growing up in the Midwest, even though the little girl in the story had the odd name Sasha, there was nothing that made me think that Bony-Legs couldn't be living in woods near my house.
August 21, 2012
This is an entertaining Baba Yaga tale that incorporates many of the traditional elements of the classic Russian folk tales. Baba Yaga's house is on chicken feet and she attempts to trap children to eat them. In this tale, Sasha takes pity on Baba Yaga's cat and dog and is helped by them in return. The narrative isn't too long and the illustrations aren't too scary; they complement the story nicely. We really enjoyed reading this story together.
October 25, 2017
Great retelling of the Baba Yaga story. The illustrations are incredibly detailed. Even with their bright color palette the pictures still give the story a creepy folkloric vibe. When I first grabbed this book up, I was totally reminded of the scratchy folk art in The Teeny Tiny Woman. Then I looked back and it’s not that similar, really. I think it’s just the noses!!!
March 11, 2013
I thought this book was really creative. I liked how creative the little girl was to get away from the witch, and I thought that I taught a good lesson of kindness. I would definitely recommend this as an alternative fairy tale for students.
November 26, 2018
Fun story! Perfectly illustrated. A bit scary, quirky, with a cat and a dog, and a touch of magic. From other reviewers, I understand that this is a Baba Yaga tale. And this brings to mind Hansel and Gretel.
June 23, 2020
I loved this book when I was little!! I read it and re-read it until it fell apart, in fact, but it's still on my bookshelves today!
August 30, 2023
Rereading this book, the moment I looked at it I could see the illustrations from In a Dark, Dark Room (original version, not the one with updated illustrations). Dirk Zimmer really has such a specific style, and I was a bit terrified I would find Jenny tucked into the story instead of Sasha.
October 24, 2012
My youngest child was afraid of the dark, strange noises, and the unknown for a long long time. At age 6 he discovered this book, and read it again and again.
This surprised me at first - it's a lot like Hansel and Gretel but for a small child, boy or girl, who is dealing with the scariness of the real world, Bony-Legs is a story that's scary but encouraging. What goes around will come around, is the message this book gives.
Sasha's aunt (her mother never would have done such a thing!) sends her to Bony-Leg's house in the woods to fetch a needle and thread.
Along the way, Sasha is kind to a hungry cat and a skinny dog, feeding them her lunch. She greases a creaking gate at the entrance to Bony-Leg's cottage.
"Poor gate," said Sasha, "You need some grease."
Once she gets to Bony-Leg's, she's locked in the bathroom, told to get nice and clean so Bony-Legs can eat her up. The cat, the dog she fed on her way to Bony-Leg's give her a mirror, a wooden comb and let her escape without a mew or a bark. The kindly oiled gate lets her out without a squeak.
With the help of these others, and the use of her own cleverness in figuring out how to use the mirror and the comb, Sasha escapes. And Bony-Legs - well, you'll have to read the story to find out all the details!
An enjoyable, short read filled with color pictures and a kind child's cleverness.
This surprised me at first - it's a lot like Hansel and Gretel but for a small child, boy or girl, who is dealing with the scariness of the real world, Bony-Legs is a story that's scary but encouraging. What goes around will come around, is the message this book gives.
Sasha's aunt (her mother never would have done such a thing!) sends her to Bony-Leg's house in the woods to fetch a needle and thread.
Along the way, Sasha is kind to a hungry cat and a skinny dog, feeding them her lunch. She greases a creaking gate at the entrance to Bony-Leg's cottage.
"Poor gate," said Sasha, "You need some grease."
Once she gets to Bony-Leg's, she's locked in the bathroom, told to get nice and clean so Bony-Legs can eat her up. The cat, the dog she fed on her way to Bony-Leg's give her a mirror, a wooden comb and let her escape without a mew or a bark. The kindly oiled gate lets her out without a squeak.
With the help of these others, and the use of her own cleverness in figuring out how to use the mirror and the comb, Sasha escapes. And Bony-Legs - well, you'll have to read the story to find out all the details!
An enjoyable, short read filled with color pictures and a kind child's cleverness.
June 4, 2019
I rediscovered this when I was unpacking a box helpfully labeled by my mom as "Natasha children's books." It's always a bit disconcerting to revisit one's childhood and find that certain stories are still every bit as terrifying in your 30s as it was when you were 5.
And this one is. The illustrations really are the story here. The scenery and background are rich with details, and creepy ones at that -- the chicken feet at the bottom of the house! The skulls everywhere! I forgot how lost you can get examining each page. Dirk Zimmer is a master of weird.
Anyway, Bony Legs is a witch who lives in a house that stands on chicken feet. She is like most bad witches and likes to eat children. She has a mouth full of iron teeth. Our little hero of the story, Sasha, is good and kind and because of this, she makes some unlikely friends before encountering ol' Bony-Legs. Bony-Legs invites Sasha in, then locks her in the bathroom with orders to take a bath so she can then cook her. Will she escape?
Incidentally, this is one of Scholastic's young reader books.
Of course what kind of mother would I be if I didn't immediately read this to my daughter, who is 5. She was scared. And loved it. We've read it every night this week.
And this one is. The illustrations really are the story here. The scenery and background are rich with details, and creepy ones at that -- the chicken feet at the bottom of the house! The skulls everywhere! I forgot how lost you can get examining each page. Dirk Zimmer is a master of weird.
Anyway, Bony Legs is a witch who lives in a house that stands on chicken feet. She is like most bad witches and likes to eat children. She has a mouth full of iron teeth. Our little hero of the story, Sasha, is good and kind and because of this, she makes some unlikely friends before encountering ol' Bony-Legs. Bony-Legs invites Sasha in, then locks her in the bathroom with orders to take a bath so she can then cook her. Will she escape?
Incidentally, this is one of Scholastic's young reader books.
Of course what kind of mother would I be if I didn't immediately read this to my daughter, who is 5. She was scared. And loved it. We've read it every night this week.
March 9, 2020
I like this a lot. It's very short, 40 pages, and clearly inspired by Hansel and Gretel. There's minimal text on each page with illustrations on each page. The witch with teeth of iron spends her days waiting for children to come near so she can eat them. Sasha, the little girl who goes in search of needle and thread for her aunt, almost falls victim to the witch. I really like the cleaver things the author did with the comb and mirror. I really wish this story had been at least twice as long. My favorite image from the book is below.
May 11, 2015
The summary of this book on here is entirely bland! This book is based on Baba Yaga, a story of Russian folklore about a witch who lives in a house that stands on chicken feet. It would be a nice choice to read with Aesop's Fables, Stone Soup, or any other folk literature found in the 398s. I would recommend reading it to second grade and up, as parts of the book can be a little suspenseful (and creepy). It all depends on the kiddo, of course!
Anyway, about the book-
The descriptions are imaginative and generally fantastic. An uncertain storyline coasts children into eager suspense. The illustrations are also great, and use a simplistic/pale palette of earth tones. I won't give away any spoilers, but the devices used to evade the witch are just so magical and fun to imagine. Definitely recommend this book!
Anyway, about the book-
The descriptions are imaginative and generally fantastic. An uncertain storyline coasts children into eager suspense. The illustrations are also great, and use a simplistic/pale palette of earth tones. I won't give away any spoilers, but the devices used to evade the witch are just so magical and fun to imagine. Definitely recommend this book!
October 6, 2017
Bony-Legs was one of my classic reads from childhood. It was creepy, had a nasty old witch and a happy ending. Just how I like it, a little scary but in the end I have a smile on my face.
As a parent I still love this book! Bony-Legs is a picture book with a good plot. It teaches the reward of kindness even in the most unlikely of circumstances and the concept of trust via a persons actions-- we do not trust the witch but we trust the kind girl. There is humor mixed in the text and I think this book is best read as a read-a-loud to pre-K to kindergarten age children.
Bony-Legs is an oldy but still a goody! In fact it is such a good one that finding a copy is going to cost you a pretty penny! I found a first edition on Amazon for $134! That alone should tell you it is special.
As a parent I still love this book! Bony-Legs is a picture book with a good plot. It teaches the reward of kindness even in the most unlikely of circumstances and the concept of trust via a persons actions-- we do not trust the witch but we trust the kind girl. There is humor mixed in the text and I think this book is best read as a read-a-loud to pre-K to kindergarten age children.
Bony-Legs is an oldy but still a goody! In fact it is such a good one that finding a copy is going to cost you a pretty penny! I found a first edition on Amazon for $134! That alone should tell you it is special.
April 28, 2019
The art is what makes this--the vivid autumnal colors against intricate black lineart is deceptively dense and vibrant. It balances an adequate but not especially surprising retelling, enlivening not-quite-stilted language & the repetition endemic to fairytales with full-page, dynamic panels that have fantastic imagery. What a joy!
March 14, 2018
This was my favorite book in Kindergarten and it took me forever to remember the name to find it! I'm so happy I have it on here so I can remember to add it to a list of books to buy and read to my kids 😁
December 4, 2018
Every inch as creepy as I remember from my youth... I don't know if this one is going to scare modern day children as much as it did back in the day, but I suspect gnashing metal teeth are timelessly chilling.
January 18, 2016
This was one of my favorite books as a kid!
July 12, 2017
So seriously and wonderfully strange.
December 6, 2017
This is my favorite childhood books. 30+ years later I still remember this awesome story. Bought it for my children to enjoy.
September 3, 2023
Russian Folklore
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews