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ලස්සන වසීලිස්සා
A famous Russian fairy tale about a brave girl sent by her jealous stepsisters to fetch fire from old frightful witch Baba Yaga.
208 pages, Paperback
First published December 28, 2011
21 people are currently reading
755 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Afanasyev
269 books111 followersAlexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev (Russian: Александр Николаевич Афанасьев) was a Russian folklorist who recorded and published over 600 Russian folktales and fairytales, by far the largest folktale collection by any one man in the world. His first collection was published in eight volumes from 1855-67, earning him the reputation of a Russian counterpart to the Brothers Grimm.
Born in 1826 in Boguchar, in Voronezh Governate, he grew up in Bobrov, becoming an early reader thanks to the library of his grandfather, a member of the Russian Bible Society. He was educated at the Voronezh gymnasium and from 1844-48 he studied law at the University of Moscow. Despite being a promising student, he did not become a professor, due largely to attacks upon his work by the conservative Minister of National Enlightenment, Count Sergey Uvarov.
Afanasyev worked for thirteen years at the Moscow's Main Archive Directorate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire, during which time he also amassed a huge library and published numerous articles and reviews. In 1862 he was fired from his position, because of his association with philosopher Alexander Herzen. Jobless for a number of years thereafter, he sold his library in order to support his family, eventually finding work as a secretary at the Moscow City Duma and at the Moscow Congress of Justices of the Peace.
Afanasyev wrote a large theoretical work (three volumes of 700 pages each) – "The Poetic Outlook of Slavs about Nature" (Поэтические воззрения славян на природу) – which came out between 1865 and 1869. In 1870 his Русские детские сказки (Russian Children's Fairy Tales) were published. He died in poverty in 1871, at the age of forty-five.
(source: Wikipedia)
Born in 1826 in Boguchar, in Voronezh Governate, he grew up in Bobrov, becoming an early reader thanks to the library of his grandfather, a member of the Russian Bible Society. He was educated at the Voronezh gymnasium and from 1844-48 he studied law at the University of Moscow. Despite being a promising student, he did not become a professor, due largely to attacks upon his work by the conservative Minister of National Enlightenment, Count Sergey Uvarov.
Afanasyev worked for thirteen years at the Moscow's Main Archive Directorate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire, during which time he also amassed a huge library and published numerous articles and reviews. In 1862 he was fired from his position, because of his association with philosopher Alexander Herzen. Jobless for a number of years thereafter, he sold his library in order to support his family, eventually finding work as a secretary at the Moscow City Duma and at the Moscow Congress of Justices of the Peace.
Afanasyev wrote a large theoretical work (three volumes of 700 pages each) – "The Poetic Outlook of Slavs about Nature" (Поэтические воззрения славян на природу) – which came out between 1865 and 1869. In 1870 his Русские детские сказки (Russian Children's Fairy Tales) were published. He died in poverty in 1871, at the age of forty-five.
(source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 25, 2021
ok so basically this story is the Hardcore Version™ of cinderella. i love it.
June 6, 2023
I absolutely love Vasilisa the Beautiful! This is a Russian fairy tale with some common elements to Cinderella but this is not a Cinderella tale.
The two main characters in the story are Vasilisa who receives Cinderella treatments from her step-mother and step-step-sisters and Baba Yaga, a supernatural being (In Old Russian, the baba may mean 'midwife', 'sorceress', or 'fortune teller') She is a helper and a villain, or may be altogether ambiguous.
What's significant in the character is, she helps to develop the character of Vasilisa. The girl who spoke with her tiny wooden doll to deal with the pain in her life, after meeting Baba Yaga, becomes more confident. So the story is about her journey from subservience to independence.
The two main characters in the story are Vasilisa who receives Cinderella treatments from her step-mother and step-step-sisters and Baba Yaga, a supernatural being (In Old Russian, the baba may mean 'midwife', 'sorceress', or 'fortune teller') She is a helper and a villain, or may be altogether ambiguous.
What's significant in the character is, she helps to develop the character of Vasilisa. The girl who spoke with her tiny wooden doll to deal with the pain in her life, after meeting Baba Yaga, becomes more confident. So the story is about her journey from subservience to independence.
August 14, 2024
3 stars!
This was a good classic fairytale with some darker vibes, a lot of people compare it to Cinderella but a lot darker and to that I would agree, with the story also having some Hansel and Gretel vibes. This story would've scared the shit out of me as a kid, but as an adult I can just appreciate it as a traditional fairytale with some good rhyming, a moral to the story, and enjoyable and even a bit educational someone who really enjoys reading and learning about folklore.
P.s: the cover is so pretty I just had to read it.
This was a good classic fairytale with some darker vibes, a lot of people compare it to Cinderella but a lot darker and to that I would agree, with the story also having some Hansel and Gretel vibes. This story would've scared the shit out of me as a kid, but as an adult I can just appreciate it as a traditional fairytale with some good rhyming, a moral to the story, and enjoyable and even a bit educational someone who really enjoys reading and learning about folklore.
P.s: the cover is so pretty I just had to read it.
November 7, 2012
Summary
Similar to both the Grimm version of Cinderella (on Kindle) and Cinderella: A 3-D Fairy Tale, Vasilisa the Beautiful is the story of a young girl who lost her mother while she was a child. When her father remarries, Vasilisa is mistreated by her new stepmother and stepsisters because they are jealous of her beauty. They send her to visit the home of Baba Yaga, a wicked witch who lives in the forest and is known to eat people. Similar to the Grimm version, the story becomes slightly gruesome, but different from other Cinderella's, it is because when Vasilisa encounters the old woman's house she is met with the bones and skulls of the witch's many victims. Each night the witch threatens that if Vasilia does not fulfill the tasks set before her, she will become the witch's supper. What she does not know is that Vasilisa has a tiny doll in her pocket, charmed and blessed by the girl's dead mother. The doll does Vasilisa's chores, ensuring she will not be eaten. Upon finding out that the girl has a blessing on her, the witch casts her from the house with a fiery skull to take home to her stepfamily. Again, very different from the happy 3-D version of Cinderella, the skull kills Vasilisa's stepfamily and in the end, the beautiful girl is married to the Tsar of Russia when he discovers how beautiful she is.
Response
While I was not crazy about this Russian version of Cinderella or the Grimm version because of their gore, I could not help but be riveted, wondering what would happen to Vasilisa in the end. I only gave this story 3 stars because although the story begins with Vasilisa as a child protagonist, the language of the book, the numerous settings, and the various characters could be confusing to a child, meaning it does not embody all of the qualities of children's literature (TMY, 2010, p. 8). For example, when Vasilisa's family is burned by the skull, the story does not end there. She ends up going to live with another old woman, which could leave children wondering if this is one of the same wicked old women from earlier in the story or someone new. I also think with both this tale and the Grimm Cinderella, children would be frightened by the gruesome qualities, such as the cutting off of body parts, glowing skulls, and being threatened to become someone's dinner. Overall, I believe the 3-D Cinderella, the version many of us have come to know and love, is the one that would be most appealing to children. However, little girls would probably enjoy hearing about the doll Vasilia keeps in her pocket. Wouldn't we all love to pull out a doll, feed it a few crumbs and have it do our housework?
Classroom Connection
I believe this story could be used in a social studies lesson, having children research other versions of not only Cinderella, but many of the stories we have come to know. They might also research some of the beliefs that are mentioned in the book, such as the three riders Vasilisa sees in the forest. Vasilisa the Beautiful and Baba Yaga could also be used in a creative writing lesson, having students write their own version of the Cinderella tale, changing things and then discussing why they would like to see the story take on that twist.
Text Complexity
I could not find the Lexile or GR level for this book, but if I had to guess, I would say this would be an appropriate read-aloud for 2-8. It could be an independent read by 5th grade.
Similar to both the Grimm version of Cinderella (on Kindle) and Cinderella: A 3-D Fairy Tale, Vasilisa the Beautiful is the story of a young girl who lost her mother while she was a child. When her father remarries, Vasilisa is mistreated by her new stepmother and stepsisters because they are jealous of her beauty. They send her to visit the home of Baba Yaga, a wicked witch who lives in the forest and is known to eat people. Similar to the Grimm version, the story becomes slightly gruesome, but different from other Cinderella's, it is because when Vasilisa encounters the old woman's house she is met with the bones and skulls of the witch's many victims. Each night the witch threatens that if Vasilia does not fulfill the tasks set before her, she will become the witch's supper. What she does not know is that Vasilisa has a tiny doll in her pocket, charmed and blessed by the girl's dead mother. The doll does Vasilisa's chores, ensuring she will not be eaten. Upon finding out that the girl has a blessing on her, the witch casts her from the house with a fiery skull to take home to her stepfamily. Again, very different from the happy 3-D version of Cinderella, the skull kills Vasilisa's stepfamily and in the end, the beautiful girl is married to the Tsar of Russia when he discovers how beautiful she is.
Response
While I was not crazy about this Russian version of Cinderella or the Grimm version because of their gore, I could not help but be riveted, wondering what would happen to Vasilisa in the end. I only gave this story 3 stars because although the story begins with Vasilisa as a child protagonist, the language of the book, the numerous settings, and the various characters could be confusing to a child, meaning it does not embody all of the qualities of children's literature (TMY, 2010, p. 8). For example, when Vasilisa's family is burned by the skull, the story does not end there. She ends up going to live with another old woman, which could leave children wondering if this is one of the same wicked old women from earlier in the story or someone new. I also think with both this tale and the Grimm Cinderella, children would be frightened by the gruesome qualities, such as the cutting off of body parts, glowing skulls, and being threatened to become someone's dinner. Overall, I believe the 3-D Cinderella, the version many of us have come to know and love, is the one that would be most appealing to children. However, little girls would probably enjoy hearing about the doll Vasilia keeps in her pocket. Wouldn't we all love to pull out a doll, feed it a few crumbs and have it do our housework?
Classroom Connection
I believe this story could be used in a social studies lesson, having children research other versions of not only Cinderella, but many of the stories we have come to know. They might also research some of the beliefs that are mentioned in the book, such as the three riders Vasilisa sees in the forest. Vasilisa the Beautiful and Baba Yaga could also be used in a creative writing lesson, having students write their own version of the Cinderella tale, changing things and then discussing why they would like to see the story take on that twist.
Text Complexity
I could not find the Lexile or GR level for this book, but if I had to guess, I would say this would be an appropriate read-aloud for 2-8. It could be an independent read by 5th grade.
June 4, 2013
I have always liked faery tales and folk tales. Since I was a kid, I used to watched "animated" russian tales and I have always thought these tales are awesome. I honestly think russian tales have something that make them different from the other european tales...they're darker, I guess.
I also always have liked the illustrations of these tales, are just awesome, and now, finally, I understand why the skull and why the forest.
*SPOILERS!*
The story captivated me since I started reading it, and I just couldn't put it down. I love the description of Vasilisa and her innocence, she was so pure and full of kindness. Her half-sisters and step mother were merely hags and rude with this lovely girl. The doll, I like the role it plays, and the description of Baba Yaga's house freaked me out! It was so intense and dark! It was maybe a little gore and I didn't expect the end! When the skull Vasilisa takes from Baba Yaga's house burn down her half sisters and her step mom...the description was so cruel and intense I just couldn't believe it! I honestly don't know if little children could read this story...maybe an adaptation, but not this one.
I also always have liked the illustrations of these tales, are just awesome, and now, finally, I understand why the skull and why the forest.
*SPOILERS!*
The story captivated me since I started reading it, and I just couldn't put it down. I love the description of Vasilisa and her innocence, she was so pure and full of kindness. Her half-sisters and step mother were merely hags and rude with this lovely girl. The doll, I like the role it plays, and the description of Baba Yaga's house freaked me out! It was so intense and dark! It was maybe a little gore and I didn't expect the end! When the skull Vasilisa takes from Baba Yaga's house burn down her half sisters and her step mom...the description was so cruel and intense I just couldn't believe it! I honestly don't know if little children could read this story...maybe an adaptation, but not this one.
January 2, 2014
This is a short tale of the Russian Fairy Tale of Vasilisa and Baba Yaga.
In this version some illustrations are present which are detailed and enhance the story line.
Overall, a quick but fun story.
In this version some illustrations are present which are detailed and enhance the story line.
Overall, a quick but fun story.
January 15, 2026
Não imaginei que esse fosse ser o primeiro livro do ano mas aqui estamos, abrindo 2026 com uma história sobre misticismo, aprendizado, bençãos e superação de obstáculos em um nível não só físico mas psicológico, interessante.
September 16, 2020
Gorgeously illustrated version of an important Russian folktale. It also draws on Cinderella. It's fun to look at the picture books when I check them in at the Library.
March 30, 2023
les contes et légendes russes c’est oui
October 13, 2021
This rating is for the edition recorded by Alexander Afanasyev and illustrated by Ivan Bilibin.
July 15, 2024
By far one of my favorite fairy tales of all time.
May 15, 2012
A wonderful, insprirational, and predictable Russian tale. A tale of a beautiful girl, who lost her mother, at an early age, was mistreated and envied by her stepfamily. She was forced to visit Baga Yaga, the wicked witch of the forest, who ate people. I think the hero of the story is the doll. The doll symbolizes a higher power or God. I love the gothic vocabulary in the story! According to Lynn(2005), "Fantasy has been variously described as imaginative, fanciful, visonary, strange, otherworldly, supernatural, mysterious, frigtening, magical, inexplicable..." This book will suit second grade through eight grade.
May 22, 2015
Lovely old children's fairy tale with creative imagery. This edition has old charming illustrations.
September 8, 2020
One of my favorite Russian fairy tales. The stepmother forcing her to the woods in hopes she will meet the wicked witch. . . .
December 3, 2021
Lavishly illustrated, classically told, this tale feels like the amalgamation of several well-known stories. Cinderella is the most present – the beautiful, kind-hearted stepdaughter slighted by the evil second wife and her homely, self-obsessed daughters and made to work for them, and who goes on to marry the prince (in this case, the tsar) in the end. Mother Holle, the sweet old woman who lives under the millpond in a Brothers Grimm story, appears in the form of Baba Yaga, the infamous Russian witch who eats children. A magical spirit is present to care for ill-treated Valilissa, reminiscent of genies or elves who fulfill wishes. And there are even adventures with flax-spinning, an ancient standby in fairy tales.
What makes this tale different?
One thing that mystifies and mesmerizes children all over the world is the idea of magical playthings. The everyday toys, that we give so much love and attention to, coming to life and taking care of both our needs and our desires. Vasilisa is no drudge who is forever forced to work against her will – she secretly has a tiny doll who becomes a living, breathing being when the right words are spoken to her, and in exchange for a few sips of food and drink, will erase all of Vasilisa’s woes: do her chores, give her sage advice on how to proceed, make sure she is safe.
And the fact that the doll was given to Vasilisa by her mother, on her deathbed, is proof of everlasting maternal love. She was ready to die, leaving her daughter an inheritance that, though secret, can break through every obstacle the world places in her path – all the way to a royal wedding.
Vasilisa’s biggest test is when she must go to BabaYaga’s home in the woods to get fire to replace the flame “accidentally” put out by her mean stepsister. But she doesn’t sneak in, nor does the magical doll enable her to get the fire by magic. Vasilisa is forced to live for several days with Baba Yaga and do her bidding, without even knowing whether or not she will obtain the reward of fire. The test here is not one of resilience, as in the Mother Holle story, where the hardworking daughter wins the prize – because the little doll makes sure every chore is done to perfection. Here, we discover that Vasilisa doesn’t just let her good fortune run her life, but is clever and knows when to speak, and when to keep her mouth shut.
Baba Yaga is an interesting character in Russian literature. She’s a horrid, mean old witch. But she also has a heart, and Vasilisa seemingly finds the way to touch it. In this story, the enemy is not defeated by trickery and deceit, but by staying true to one’s purpose.
The multitude of fables and tales that feeds this story make it filled with abundance – but even with the shadows of other tales within it, it has its own sense of uniqueness. And it has artwork to match. Bilibin is a master at capturing the detail, colors, and plenitude of Russian culture, even in the most austere settings. Each illustration tells a story in itself.
What makes this tale different?
One thing that mystifies and mesmerizes children all over the world is the idea of magical playthings. The everyday toys, that we give so much love and attention to, coming to life and taking care of both our needs and our desires. Vasilisa is no drudge who is forever forced to work against her will – she secretly has a tiny doll who becomes a living, breathing being when the right words are spoken to her, and in exchange for a few sips of food and drink, will erase all of Vasilisa’s woes: do her chores, give her sage advice on how to proceed, make sure she is safe.
And the fact that the doll was given to Vasilisa by her mother, on her deathbed, is proof of everlasting maternal love. She was ready to die, leaving her daughter an inheritance that, though secret, can break through every obstacle the world places in her path – all the way to a royal wedding.
Vasilisa’s biggest test is when she must go to BabaYaga’s home in the woods to get fire to replace the flame “accidentally” put out by her mean stepsister. But she doesn’t sneak in, nor does the magical doll enable her to get the fire by magic. Vasilisa is forced to live for several days with Baba Yaga and do her bidding, without even knowing whether or not she will obtain the reward of fire. The test here is not one of resilience, as in the Mother Holle story, where the hardworking daughter wins the prize – because the little doll makes sure every chore is done to perfection. Here, we discover that Vasilisa doesn’t just let her good fortune run her life, but is clever and knows when to speak, and when to keep her mouth shut.
Baba Yaga is an interesting character in Russian literature. She’s a horrid, mean old witch. But she also has a heart, and Vasilisa seemingly finds the way to touch it. In this story, the enemy is not defeated by trickery and deceit, but by staying true to one’s purpose.
The multitude of fables and tales that feeds this story make it filled with abundance – but even with the shadows of other tales within it, it has its own sense of uniqueness. And it has artwork to match. Bilibin is a master at capturing the detail, colors, and plenitude of Russian culture, even in the most austere settings. Each illustration tells a story in itself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2018
“Vasilisa the Beautiful and Baba Yaga” is a traditional Russian fairytale retold by Alexander Afanasyev and translated into English by Post Wheeler in the 2017 edition published by Planet Books. In the story, Vasilisa is given a magic doll by her mother as she is dying. She tells Vasilisa to give the little doll some food and drink and then it will help her solve whatever problem she’s facing.
Indeed, the doll saves her over and over, even when faced with the ogre Baba Yaga, who threatens to eat Vasilisa if she doesn’t do everything she’s told. Eventually, she’s brought to the tzar, who falls in love with her.
The story is full of interesting characters, but Vasilisa is little beyond her beauty and her magic doll.
The real reason to read this book is the amazing illustrations. The full color plates are a delight to the eye, lavish and detailed and magical, with decorated borders. Every page has a narrow decorated border as well.
This is a gorgeous book with an interesting story.
July 4, 2023
Thank you @getredprbooks for this gifted copy. My kids love this children folklore book about Baba Yaga.
To my daughter’s👧🏻review.
I remember reading other versions’ books about house with a chicken leg and Baba Yaga and this one tops it. All fairytale books are always feel good ending and this one has the same conclusion. It is a mix of Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella and the Prince and the Dress Maker. I love Vasilisa’s patience and bravery. She faced her fear with the beliefs and emotions. I know I have read many folktales and every time I see an opportunity to read a new one I never wanted to miss any. So, I think all kids should be able to read any of the folktales they come across.
To my daughter’s👧🏻review.
I remember reading other versions’ books about house with a chicken leg and Baba Yaga and this one tops it. All fairytale books are always feel good ending and this one has the same conclusion. It is a mix of Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella and the Prince and the Dress Maker. I love Vasilisa’s patience and bravery. She faced her fear with the beliefs and emotions. I know I have read many folktales and every time I see an opportunity to read a new one I never wanted to miss any. So, I think all kids should be able to read any of the folktales they come across.
February 11, 2019
I have been reading a lot of books semi-based on this story and after reading the original for the first time I can say that I loved it. And now I’m even more excited to have read the other books that I did including The Bear and the Nightingale series and Vassa in the Night. If you want a more modern version of Vasilisa the Beautiful I would definitely read Vassa in the Night. The Bear and the Nightingale mostly just touches upon the Russian folktales rather than being a retelling. I think I am definitely going to be reading more of the original Russian folktales in the future.
March 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! It had a lot of Cinderella undertones to it, but was much much darker than the typical Disney story of Cinderella one would think of today.
Vasilisa the main character is very resilient and strong despite the pain and suffering her step-sisters and step-mother give her. It really shows that despite the pain and suffering you may go through you can come out better on the other side of it.
Vasilisa the main character is very resilient and strong despite the pain and suffering her step-sisters and step-mother give her. It really shows that despite the pain and suffering you may go through you can come out better on the other side of it.
![Profile Image for Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1672255572i%2F4799500._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
May 8, 2023
At first glance, you think you're about to read a Russian fairy tale similar to Cinderella, but Vasilisa the Beautiful and Baba Yaga takes a turn to the dark side. In truth, most fairy tales were a little dark originally. The lessons from this story are powerful, poignant and transcend time and culture. The illustrations by Ivan Bilibin are well thought out and felt authentic to the fairy tale and timeframe of the story.
Thank you to GetRedPR for gifting me a copy to review.
Thank you to GetRedPR for gifting me a copy to review.
June 8, 2020
Is this cheating?
...
Do I care?
...no.
🙂
In all seriousness, after falling in love with The Bear and the Nightingale I’ve been meaning to catch up on some of these classic Russian fairytales - especially this one. This one is basically Cinderella but much more badass.
...
Do I care?
...no.
🙂
In all seriousness, after falling in love with The Bear and the Nightingale I’ve been meaning to catch up on some of these classic Russian fairytales - especially this one. This one is basically Cinderella but much more badass.
January 21, 2021
Beautiful folk tale
An amazing Russian folk tale of the infamous Baba Yaga. I had read this version several years ago, and it was a nice trip down memory lane. I know it is a watered down version of a much older story, and I look forward to further research.
An amazing Russian folk tale of the infamous Baba Yaga. I had read this version several years ago, and it was a nice trip down memory lane. I know it is a watered down version of a much older story, and I look forward to further research.
August 6, 2018
Classic children's story. No extra bits and all the better for it.
September 18, 2020
A sweet tale.
December 13, 2020
One of the best Russian folktales I’ve read in awhile. Lovely. 💛
February 22, 2022
Always love me a good fairy tale.
Read
March 20, 2022queens helping queens we stan
June 15, 2022
Bought for the illustrations which are beautiful
September 25, 2022
ලස්සන හොද කතාවක්
February 25, 2023
ruske bajke najjace
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews