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Baba Yaga's Assistant
ASSISTANT WANTED ASAP
Must have skills in hauling, obeying orders, cooking, and cleaning. Magical talent a bonus. Must be good with heights. Enter Baba Yaga's house to apply.
Most children think twice before braving a haunted wood filled with terrifying beasties to match wits with a witch, but not Masha. Her beloved grandma taught her many things: that stories are useful, that magic is fickle, and that nothing is too difficult or too dirty to clean. The fearsome witch of folklore needs an assistant, and Masha needs an adventure. She may be clever enough to enter Baba Yaga's house on chicken legs, but within its walls, deceit is the rule. To earn her place, Masha must pass a series of tests, outfox a territorial bear, and make dinner for her host. No easy task, with children on the menu!
Wry, spooky and poignant, Marika McCoola's debut--with richly layered art by acclaimed graphic artist Emily Carroll--is a storytelling feat and a visual fest.
Must have skills in hauling, obeying orders, cooking, and cleaning. Magical talent a bonus. Must be good with heights. Enter Baba Yaga's house to apply.
Most children think twice before braving a haunted wood filled with terrifying beasties to match wits with a witch, but not Masha. Her beloved grandma taught her many things: that stories are useful, that magic is fickle, and that nothing is too difficult or too dirty to clean. The fearsome witch of folklore needs an assistant, and Masha needs an adventure. She may be clever enough to enter Baba Yaga's house on chicken legs, but within its walls, deceit is the rule. To earn her place, Masha must pass a series of tests, outfox a territorial bear, and make dinner for her host. No easy task, with children on the menu!
Wry, spooky and poignant, Marika McCoola's debut--with richly layered art by acclaimed graphic artist Emily Carroll--is a storytelling feat and a visual fest.
132 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2015
47 people are currently reading
9236 people want to read
About the author
Marika McCoola
4 books54 followersMarika McCoola has an MA in writing for children from Simmons College and is a former children’s book buyer at an independent bookstore in Massachusetts. Baba Yaga’s Assistant marks her publishing debut. She lives in Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,010 reviews
January 15, 2016
All this time Masha thought her father was burying his grief for his dead wife in work, so she forgave him for never spending any time at home. But when she finds out that he has actually been romancing a new woman and that she's getting not only a step-mother but a brat of a stepsister -- well, suddenly that want-ad for living in the forest with an evil witch sounds rather appealing.
April 19, 2019
I put this on my list because one of my favorite illustrators and horror storytellers, Emily Carroll, illustrated this, a first book by Marika McCoola that draws on an ancient myth about Baba Yaga, a baby-eating witch. A girl, not really feeling at home in her Dad's new family, applies to become Baba Yaga's assistant. I like the ending, which surprises me a bit. I like the art though like it less well than some other Carroll projects, and wasn't all that engaged with the story.
October 2, 2021
You know it's getting bad when you'd rather cook and clean for a witch than live at home with a bitey stepsister.
When Masha decides to apply for the job of Baba Yaga's assistant, she finds getting her foot in the door may be the least of her problems. Luckily, her dear granny has trained her well in the ways of pleasing, AND outsmarting a persnickety witch.
A fun, and imaginative retelling of the legend, with delightful artwork by Emily Carroll.
When Masha decides to apply for the job of Baba Yaga's assistant, she finds getting her foot in the door may be the least of her problems. Luckily, her dear granny has trained her well in the ways of pleasing, AND outsmarting a persnickety witch.
A fun, and imaginative retelling of the legend, with delightful artwork by Emily Carroll.
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August 5, 2015This wonderful graphic novel is about a young girl named Masha whose father has become very distant since her mother died. When the father announces he has a new girlfriend, who has children of her own, Masha takes off into the woods. There she meets Baba Yaga, the Russian witch, and attempts to meet each of her challenges in order to become her assistant.
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July 24, 2024
Well and definitely, my inner child in particular has very much enjoyed Marika McCoola's (text) and Emily Carroll's (artwork) 2015 middle grade graphic novel (based on Slavic folklore) Baba Yaga's Assistant and how their combination of text and images manages to turn the enigmatic nature of Baba Yaga into an engaging both narrational and visual representation and discussion of current, of modern family life (including blended ones), of grief, loss, finding one’s place, of being brave and learning confidence, with me massively appreciating that both textually and visually, Baba Yaga is shown in Baba Yaga’s Assistant not simply as some evil and nasty witch, but like she is supposed to appear folkloricly, as an amoral force of nature both positive and negative, how she both helps and hinders and above all else is a test, is someone who provides quests, who rewards imagination, ingenuity and strength of character (and how McCoola’s text and Carroll’s pictures work very well and seamlessly together and show a sufficiently modern feeling tale in Baba Yaga’s Assistant that at the same time remains delightfully traditional, and how visually speaking, Baba Yaga looks a bit terrifying but at the same time also not horrifying and ridiculously creepy, that Emily Carroll’s art totally captures the enigma that is Baba Yaga and both reflects and wonderfully expands on Marika McCoola’s printed words).
So yes, in Baba Yaga’s Assistant, main protagonist Masha (a teenaged girl with a deceased mother and a very absent father who is about to marry a woman with a badly behaved and horribly socialised daughter prone to anger, physical aggression and who lashes out and bites Masha at their first meeting because she does not want to share her mother) decides to leave home to answer a want ad for an assistant to Baba Yaga, whom Masha’s recently dead grandmother (who mostly raised her granddaughter after Masha’s mother died and the father became emotionally distant and remote) had told her granddaughter many tales about and who supposedly even had personal experience with Baba Yaga herself (and that Baba Yaga’s Assistant is basically a fun comic book tale of how Masha passes and succeeds with Baba Yaga’s three main tests to become her assistant without actually doing anything horrible, anything evil, at the same time repairs her strained relationship with her father, and with me especially smiling at how instead of cooking children for Baba Yaga, she makes gingerbread and that Baba Yaga also points out that Masha has not only passed her initiation to become her assistant, but that her house on chicken legs really likes Masha as well and is a very good judge of character).
Now Baba Yaga’s Assistant does have some narrational holes so to speak, since the backstory regarding why Masha decides to try to become Baba Yaga’s assistant is presented both by Marika McCoola’s words and also by Emily Carroll’s illustrations rather sparsely, with both Masha’s mother’s death and also her father’s emotional withdrawal showing very little emotional resonance since we see so little of it presented on paper and how it develops. But to be honest, I also never really expected or even wanted nuanced and in-depth background information etc. in Baba Yaga’s Assistant either since missing backstories that are at best just alluded to, not fully explained and have the tendency to feel a bit like plot contrivances are in my opinion often part and parcel to traditional folklore. So yes and of course, how Baba Yaga’s Assistant especially at the beginning rather feels a bit choppy and abrupt does not at all bother or distract me, does not ever pull me out of the story, as I am more than willing to accept this as being part of traditional folklore and as such just something to accept regarding Marika McCoola’s words and Emily Carroll’s pictures for Baba Yaga’s Assistant (like when Masha learns that her father has been eating family dinners with his fiancée and daughter while leaving her home alone and thinking he was eating at the office), and that frankly, had McCoola’s text and Carroll’s illustrations been more in-depth regarding Masha’s backstory, for me, some of the folkloric magic of Baba Yaga’s Assistant would have been lost.
Therefore, a generally fun and delightful both textual and visual experience is Baba Yaga’s Assistant (nicely traditional folkloric in a modern setting), and yes, with my favourite characters being both Masha and also Baba Yaga’s house on chicken legs (and how both verbally and illustratively, Masha and the house are definitely shown as being kindred spirits, but that on a different level, Masha and Baba Yaga are obviously also linked and that I thus also kind of wish there could be a sequel to Baba Yaga’s Assistant telling of Masha’s life and career as Baba Yaga’s assistant). Five stars as a rating for my reading pleasure and joy regarding Baba Yaga’s Assistant, but grudgingly lowered to four stars, as while I appreciate the supplemental details provided by Emily Carroll regarding her illustrations, well and sorry, Marika McCoola should also be including notes on Baba Yaga and her status in Slavic folklore.
So yes, in Baba Yaga’s Assistant, main protagonist Masha (a teenaged girl with a deceased mother and a very absent father who is about to marry a woman with a badly behaved and horribly socialised daughter prone to anger, physical aggression and who lashes out and bites Masha at their first meeting because she does not want to share her mother) decides to leave home to answer a want ad for an assistant to Baba Yaga, whom Masha’s recently dead grandmother (who mostly raised her granddaughter after Masha’s mother died and the father became emotionally distant and remote) had told her granddaughter many tales about and who supposedly even had personal experience with Baba Yaga herself (and that Baba Yaga’s Assistant is basically a fun comic book tale of how Masha passes and succeeds with Baba Yaga’s three main tests to become her assistant without actually doing anything horrible, anything evil, at the same time repairs her strained relationship with her father, and with me especially smiling at how instead of cooking children for Baba Yaga, she makes gingerbread and that Baba Yaga also points out that Masha has not only passed her initiation to become her assistant, but that her house on chicken legs really likes Masha as well and is a very good judge of character).
Now Baba Yaga’s Assistant does have some narrational holes so to speak, since the backstory regarding why Masha decides to try to become Baba Yaga’s assistant is presented both by Marika McCoola’s words and also by Emily Carroll’s illustrations rather sparsely, with both Masha’s mother’s death and also her father’s emotional withdrawal showing very little emotional resonance since we see so little of it presented on paper and how it develops. But to be honest, I also never really expected or even wanted nuanced and in-depth background information etc. in Baba Yaga’s Assistant either since missing backstories that are at best just alluded to, not fully explained and have the tendency to feel a bit like plot contrivances are in my opinion often part and parcel to traditional folklore. So yes and of course, how Baba Yaga’s Assistant especially at the beginning rather feels a bit choppy and abrupt does not at all bother or distract me, does not ever pull me out of the story, as I am more than willing to accept this as being part of traditional folklore and as such just something to accept regarding Marika McCoola’s words and Emily Carroll’s pictures for Baba Yaga’s Assistant (like when Masha learns that her father has been eating family dinners with his fiancée and daughter while leaving her home alone and thinking he was eating at the office), and that frankly, had McCoola’s text and Carroll’s illustrations been more in-depth regarding Masha’s backstory, for me, some of the folkloric magic of Baba Yaga’s Assistant would have been lost.
Therefore, a generally fun and delightful both textual and visual experience is Baba Yaga’s Assistant (nicely traditional folkloric in a modern setting), and yes, with my favourite characters being both Masha and also Baba Yaga’s house on chicken legs (and how both verbally and illustratively, Masha and the house are definitely shown as being kindred spirits, but that on a different level, Masha and Baba Yaga are obviously also linked and that I thus also kind of wish there could be a sequel to Baba Yaga’s Assistant telling of Masha’s life and career as Baba Yaga’s assistant). Five stars as a rating for my reading pleasure and joy regarding Baba Yaga’s Assistant, but grudgingly lowered to four stars, as while I appreciate the supplemental details provided by Emily Carroll regarding her illustrations, well and sorry, Marika McCoola should also be including notes on Baba Yaga and her status in Slavic folklore.
December 13, 2015
This book is fairly clunky and puppy-ish (awkward? almost feels like an early draft of something) and for at least the first half, doesn't quite come together. I love, though, that it is trying to bring folklore into the present moment. And that it values the resourcefulness of the protagonist and presents Baba Yaga as a delightfully complex character.
The reason I am giving it four stars (oh rating systems, how ambivalent I feel when you are near) is because it does something that I rarely find other books doing. I am talking about the ending, which I won't go into here, but I will say, I really appreciated.
The art is fine. Not brilliant, but okay. Somehow the registers seem a bit mixed and not fully formed, but that's okay, too. It's a book in which a heroine is struggling at home, for good reason, and goes off on a sort of epic quest. It's nice to be reminded that a novel doesn't have to be perfect in any way in order to offer a very worthwhile experience. I can see a sequel to this book being quite good.
The reason I am giving it four stars (oh rating systems, how ambivalent I feel when you are near) is because it does something that I rarely find other books doing. I am talking about the ending, which I won't go into here, but I will say, I really appreciated.
The art is fine. Not brilliant, but okay. Somehow the registers seem a bit mixed and not fully formed, but that's okay, too. It's a book in which a heroine is struggling at home, for good reason, and goes off on a sort of epic quest. It's nice to be reminded that a novel doesn't have to be perfect in any way in order to offer a very worthwhile experience. I can see a sequel to this book being quite good.
July 5, 2016
This was pretty good. As a big fan of Emily Carroll's work on Through the Woods, I had high hopes for this one. And I wasn't let down by her artwork here. It is simply beautiful to look at, not to mention creepy. I give a big 5 stars to the art!
In terms of the story... well, it isn't quite on par with Emily Carroll's storytelling in Through the Woods, probably because Emily didn't write this story. She just illustrated it. It just felt too short to me, and the solutions the main character came up with were way too easy and simple. There was no challenge to overcome.
Overall, I just didn't feel attached to the story, but I would still recommend this based off the stunning artwork alone.
In terms of the story... well, it isn't quite on par with Emily Carroll's storytelling in Through the Woods, probably because Emily didn't write this story. She just illustrated it. It just felt too short to me, and the solutions the main character came up with were way too easy and simple. There was no challenge to overcome.
Overall, I just didn't feel attached to the story, but I would still recommend this based off the stunning artwork alone.
July 8, 2016
The story fell a little flat, but I did like Baba Yaga's portrayal. Scary but not entirely unreasonable.
June 2, 2015
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
Baba Yaga is perhaps the most famous witch outside of Oz. If it, then she is tied with the White Queen from Narnia. She is old, ugly, tough as nails in boots, and doesn’t take crap from anyone. All that said, to call her evil isn’t quite right. She is, to a degree; I mean she has a taste for young flesh, but there is something about her that defies easy classification. Even when comparing her cannibalistic urges to the witch from “Hansel and Gretel”, Baba Yaga seems less bloodthirsty, and more testing. She is a test.
This Baba Yaga tale focuses mostly on that aspect of the witch, though to call her warm and fuzzy would be incorrect. The protagonist is Masha, a young woman whose widowed father is remarrying and who seems to be more warm and fuzzy towards his new family in the offering than his own daughter. This aspect of the story will no doubt anger some parents, but while a more concrete view of her father’s feelings one way or another would have been nice, it also sounds somewhat false to the story itself. Sometimes, we just don’t know.
It is because the story does not follow the standard trope and plot of meddling two families that it stands out. Masaha’s encounters with Baba Yaga are drawn from Russian folklore and there are brief retellings of a few traditional Baba Yaga tales, but the emphasis is on a modern girl trying to, not so much find her place, but as trying to discover who she is, or to get back to who is. It is more about the connection between mothers and daughters than anything else. This is made clear with Masha’s memories of her grandmother, a more prominent figure than her mother, a character who makes her presence felt though her absence.
The illustrations to this graphic novel seemed to be designed to appear to children. There is abundant use of bright colors, and during the retellings of the Russian folklore, there is almost a cartoonish feel. This is not intended to be negative criticism. The feeling is one of Disney has a love child with Anime. There are some humorous touches, in particular when Masha encounters both Baba Yaga’s house and bear. These small points make good use of modern teen’s reaction to some fairy tales.
Perhaps the best part of the novel is Masha herself, a young woman who is not condemned by anyone for being bad nor good. She is refreshing normal and every day.
Baba Yaga is perhaps the most famous witch outside of Oz. If it, then she is tied with the White Queen from Narnia. She is old, ugly, tough as nails in boots, and doesn’t take crap from anyone. All that said, to call her evil isn’t quite right. She is, to a degree; I mean she has a taste for young flesh, but there is something about her that defies easy classification. Even when comparing her cannibalistic urges to the witch from “Hansel and Gretel”, Baba Yaga seems less bloodthirsty, and more testing. She is a test.
This Baba Yaga tale focuses mostly on that aspect of the witch, though to call her warm and fuzzy would be incorrect. The protagonist is Masha, a young woman whose widowed father is remarrying and who seems to be more warm and fuzzy towards his new family in the offering than his own daughter. This aspect of the story will no doubt anger some parents, but while a more concrete view of her father’s feelings one way or another would have been nice, it also sounds somewhat false to the story itself. Sometimes, we just don’t know.
It is because the story does not follow the standard trope and plot of meddling two families that it stands out. Masaha’s encounters with Baba Yaga are drawn from Russian folklore and there are brief retellings of a few traditional Baba Yaga tales, but the emphasis is on a modern girl trying to, not so much find her place, but as trying to discover who she is, or to get back to who is. It is more about the connection between mothers and daughters than anything else. This is made clear with Masha’s memories of her grandmother, a more prominent figure than her mother, a character who makes her presence felt though her absence.
The illustrations to this graphic novel seemed to be designed to appear to children. There is abundant use of bright colors, and during the retellings of the Russian folklore, there is almost a cartoonish feel. This is not intended to be negative criticism. The feeling is one of Disney has a love child with Anime. There are some humorous touches, in particular when Masha encounters both Baba Yaga’s house and bear. These small points make good use of modern teen’s reaction to some fairy tales.
Perhaps the best part of the novel is Masha herself, a young woman who is not condemned by anyone for being bad nor good. She is refreshing normal and every day.
February 26, 2022
A heartfelt reimagining of the old Russian folktale about a monstrous witch-like woman that cooks naughty children alive and lives in a house that stands on two giant chicken legs.
Baba Yaga isn't as brutal and scary here as many old folktales make her out to be. She's mostly retired from her old ways and has settled down quite a bit. Maintaining a magical house with a mind of its own is no easy task, however. Who better than the adventurous runaway Masha to clean up the house and perhaps clean up nasty old Baba's attitude in the process?
An interesting aspect of this reimagining of the tale is the fact that Masha has read all of the folktales written about the witch which gives her the advantage of knowing how to deal with the old woman and beat her at her own tricks. It gives it a more comedic and Ghibli-esque quality to the narrative style which sets it apart from most versions of the story. It sprinkles in just the right amount of family drama to add emotion to the story as well.
I do think a lot of major plot points are glossed over too quickly and many of the challenges Baba sets up for Masha are resolved way too easily which takes any suspense out of the stakes and makes the ending feel a bit anticlimactic. I liked it overall though.
Baba Yaga isn't as brutal and scary here as many old folktales make her out to be. She's mostly retired from her old ways and has settled down quite a bit. Maintaining a magical house with a mind of its own is no easy task, however. Who better than the adventurous runaway Masha to clean up the house and perhaps clean up nasty old Baba's attitude in the process?
An interesting aspect of this reimagining of the tale is the fact that Masha has read all of the folktales written about the witch which gives her the advantage of knowing how to deal with the old woman and beat her at her own tricks. It gives it a more comedic and Ghibli-esque quality to the narrative style which sets it apart from most versions of the story. It sprinkles in just the right amount of family drama to add emotion to the story as well.
I do think a lot of major plot points are glossed over too quickly and many of the challenges Baba sets up for Masha are resolved way too easily which takes any suspense out of the stakes and makes the ending feel a bit anticlimactic. I liked it overall though.
November 30, 2019
I like this. This is like I was reliving my childhood fairy tales again. I forgot the name but a renowned writer of Bangladesh, Humayun Ahmed wrote a story about a witch who is thought to be evil but in real life she is not. This book reminds me of that short story.
That House of Baba Yaga's is thug. I want a house like that.
That House of Baba Yaga's is thug. I want a house like that.
October 9, 2016
Nice, quick read. I love stories having to do with Baba Yaga. It was def worth the read. I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
March 4, 2016
A fun modern retelling of Baba Yaga stories, with just a little bit of Cinderella thrown in as the framing story. Ever since Masha's mother died, her father has been distant. Masha longs for attention, and is hurt to find out he's been spending time with others.
Seeing an ad for an assistant for the legendary witch, Baba Yaga, who Masha knows from her grandmother's stories, she decides to go where she may actually be wanted. taking with her her grandmother's matryoshka dolls and her ingenuity.
I liked the humor, I liked the multi-generational story, and I loved the pictures of Baba Yaga, her house with the chicken legs, and a cookie in the shape of a bear. A little bit scary, but not too much, this is a great way to introduce Baba Yaga to kids.
Seeing an ad for an assistant for the legendary witch, Baba Yaga, who Masha knows from her grandmother's stories, she decides to go where she may actually be wanted. taking with her her grandmother's matryoshka dolls and her ingenuity.
I liked the humor, I liked the multi-generational story, and I loved the pictures of Baba Yaga, her house with the chicken legs, and a cookie in the shape of a bear. A little bit scary, but not too much, this is a great way to introduce Baba Yaga to kids.
October 15, 2015
#2015-Reading-Challenge-Group--week 42: a graphic novel. A new reading experience for me...and fitting for the Halloween season! I quite enjoyed this ya tale, which brings the Baba Yaga story into the modern era. The witch advertises for an assistant and Masha, a young teenager whose home life is in upheaval, decides to apply. Masha must pass several tests to get the job and shows lots of ingenuity while learning a few of life's lessons along the way. Lovely graphics.
September 26, 2020
Middle Grade Graphic novel: Quick, fun, modern fairy tale...
Baba Yaga is from Russian folklore and is witch who flies around at night looking for children to steal and EAT. In this story, Masha is upset that her father is getting remarried so goes off to seek a new like as Baba Yaga's assistant.
What to listen to while reading...
Russian folk music!
Baba Yaga is from Russian folklore and is witch who flies around at night looking for children to steal and EAT. In this story, Masha is upset that her father is getting remarried so goes off to seek a new like as Baba Yaga's assistant.
What to listen to while reading...
Russian folk music!
February 11, 2024
Re-read 2024: High time to re-read this one and I was in the mood for a graphic novel to re-read. This was such a fun read again, though again Dani/Danielle can just shove off. I get that she wasn't happy that her mom remarried but to bite someone, kick them, hit them, no fuck no. I really loved the other parts though, seeing Masha discover her magic and find home. It was oodles of fun and I love the magic! The ending was a fun surprise and made me smile. Go Masha, that is the right decision! Gorgeous art!
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A magical story about a girl finding her place in the world!
I was thinking it would be only about Baba Yaga and her new assistant, as that is what the title and the blurb implies. Let me tell you this, it is indeed about that, but also about so much more. It is about families, about mourning, about death, about finding a place you belong, yes, the book made me sad, it made me happy, it made me feel a whole lot. The pieces with Baba Yaga were terrific and I loved to find out more about Baba Yaga (and see another side to her, since everyone is saying she is oh so evil), to read the stories about Baba Yaga (and how lots of girls seem to have escaped her, which teaches a wise lesson to those who wish to be an assistant of the witch).
The parts about Masha, about her family, about her life, about what happened to her life that made her run away to Baba Yaga were sad, heartbreaking, but also really beautiful and it gave Masha something special and gave her more dimension. It made me like this girl. I felt sorry for her, sorry that her life was like this. Sure, it wasn't all that bad, she still had family, but after a while that fell away. I can say that I truly disliked the dad. Dear Lord, bad parenting much? Never did he seem to care about his daughter, and when he found someone new he totally dumped her. Wth is up with that? She is your daughter, she should be your first priority, not your second or even third or even last. You shouldn't avoid her or not even care to stand up for her. *shakes fist at the dad*
I loved Masha's wit and the things she said, she is a really clever girl who isn't afraid to say what is on her mind.
Dani/Danielle dear Lord, what a terrible little fucking brat that was. Sorry, but as soon as she was introduced I just knew this one would be trouble and would cause a whole lot of hurt. Bleh bleh bleh.
The story was really fun, and I loved how we switched between the now and the then. There were little hints scattered here and there about Masha's family when Masha and the Baba Yaga talked. I really liked those, just like I liked all the other little things that you could see in the house.
The tests were really fun, and I loved to see what Masha would do, what she would cook up to finish those tests.
The illustrations are gorgeous, I loved how the characters were drawn. Baba Yaga was seriously spooky and at times creeped me out, but I could also see other sides to her that were cleverly drawn. A wink of an eye here, a smile there. It was great. The backgrounds were gorgeous. Emily Caroll really has a way to make you get sucked into the book and not let go until the book is over.
All in all, great story, wonderful illustrations, and I would highly, highly recommend this book to everyone!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
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A magical story about a girl finding her place in the world!
I was thinking it would be only about Baba Yaga and her new assistant, as that is what the title and the blurb implies. Let me tell you this, it is indeed about that, but also about so much more. It is about families, about mourning, about death, about finding a place you belong, yes, the book made me sad, it made me happy, it made me feel a whole lot. The pieces with Baba Yaga were terrific and I loved to find out more about Baba Yaga (and see another side to her, since everyone is saying she is oh so evil), to read the stories about Baba Yaga (and how lots of girls seem to have escaped her, which teaches a wise lesson to those who wish to be an assistant of the witch).
The parts about Masha, about her family, about her life, about what happened to her life that made her run away to Baba Yaga were sad, heartbreaking, but also really beautiful and it gave Masha something special and gave her more dimension. It made me like this girl. I felt sorry for her, sorry that her life was like this. Sure, it wasn't all that bad, she still had family, but after a while that fell away. I can say that I truly disliked the dad. Dear Lord, bad parenting much? Never did he seem to care about his daughter, and when he found someone new he totally dumped her. Wth is up with that? She is your daughter, she should be your first priority, not your second or even third or even last. You shouldn't avoid her or not even care to stand up for her. *shakes fist at the dad*
I loved Masha's wit and the things she said, she is a really clever girl who isn't afraid to say what is on her mind.
Dani/Danielle dear Lord, what a terrible little fucking brat that was. Sorry, but as soon as she was introduced I just knew this one would be trouble and would cause a whole lot of hurt. Bleh bleh bleh.
The story was really fun, and I loved how we switched between the now and the then. There were little hints scattered here and there about Masha's family when Masha and the Baba Yaga talked. I really liked those, just like I liked all the other little things that you could see in the house.
The tests were really fun, and I loved to see what Masha would do, what she would cook up to finish those tests.
The illustrations are gorgeous, I loved how the characters were drawn. Baba Yaga was seriously spooky and at times creeped me out, but I could also see other sides to her that were cleverly drawn. A wink of an eye here, a smile there. It was great. The backgrounds were gorgeous. Emily Caroll really has a way to make you get sucked into the book and not let go until the book is over.
All in all, great story, wonderful illustrations, and I would highly, highly recommend this book to everyone!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
August 30, 2020
A delightful remix of many classic Baba Yaga fairy tales in a modern setting. Masha is a teen girl who has experienced a lot of loss: her mother died when she was a child, and her beloved grandmother died a year ago. When her father announces his plans to re-marry, Masha is full of mixed feelings. Meeting her new step mom and aggressive brat of a little step-sister is painful enough that Masha decides to head into the woods to find Baba Yaga... who recently published a personal ad in a local paper looking for an assistant. Masha knows she will have to pass multiple tests in order to win over the dangerous witch's trust, but luckily she's got some tricks up her sleeve. She has a head full of fairy tales her grandmother old her, and also her grandma's old doll, which might be magic. Beautifully illustrated by Emily Carroll, who is most know for her horror work. This book is for kids, but she brings in enough creepy to give this story some teeth.
February 12, 2016
I thought this was a cute story. I loved the illustrations. 4 stars!
This story is about Masha a girl who had lost her mother at an early age. She was raised by her grandmother. Her grandmother told her lots of stories of Baba Yaga and other fairy tales. In the Baba Yaga stories Masha's grandmother told her all about her adventures while she stuck with the witch.
When Masha is a (teen?) her father decides to remarry. Although the new woman seems nice, her soon to be sister is a monster. Masha decides she is going to leave and become Baba Yaga's assistant. The witch makes her pass a bunch of tests.
Don't want to give away the ending...all in all a very cute story!
This story is about Masha a girl who had lost her mother at an early age. She was raised by her grandmother. Her grandmother told her lots of stories of Baba Yaga and other fairy tales. In the Baba Yaga stories Masha's grandmother told her all about her adventures while she stuck with the witch.
When Masha is a (teen?) her father decides to remarry. Although the new woman seems nice, her soon to be sister is a monster. Masha decides she is going to leave and become Baba Yaga's assistant. The witch makes her pass a bunch of tests.
Don't want to give away the ending...all in all a very cute story!
March 5, 2017
This was a cute story about a young woman who applies to become Baba Yaga's assistant, and uses all the tricks she's learned in fairy tales to succeed. The art was just so-so, and the story was pretty basic, so I was a little disappointed, but this might be fun for the younger reader.
December 16, 2024
this is such a cute graphic novel! i loved the gorgeous illustrations as well as the little folk tales that were woven into the story. the artwork was amazing and the story was really wholesome, which made this a short but delightful read :)
December 28, 2016
This book had an interesting modern take on the traditional Baba Yaga story.
May 26, 2018
I loved this graphic novel. It's adorable, the art easy to follow, I love the contemporary setting and the interspersed fairy tales. Possibly my favorite graphic novel to date.
4.5/5
4.5/5
June 27, 2022
Cute story about a young woman who goes in search of Baba Yaga in order to be her assistant. Masha doesn't feel like she fits into her family, especially now that her father is remarrying. She misses her grandmother and runs away to have her own adventure. Baba Yaga tasks Masha with various tests during which she finds her own creative solutions and in the end... Masha goes off with Baba Yaga.
The end felt kinda weird and off... like her dad was just chill leaving her behind? I got he was a bad father, but that was kinda... brutual. Anyway, the art is nice but I didn't care for the ending.
The end felt kinda weird and off... like her dad was just chill leaving her behind? I got he was a bad father, but that was kinda... brutual. Anyway, the art is nice but I didn't care for the ending.
August 17, 2022
Hey, this was cute.
May 20, 2024
Oh how much I loved this little magical story about grief. An exploration of complex family relationships, love and sadness through a colorful fairytale that will leave you with a bittersweet smile when you finish it. I devoured this beautiful story along with my breakfast, and I loved every single page. While I ate my tea and cake, Masha had her adventure at baba yaga's house and baked gingerbread cookies for the terrifying old witch, to save the three little brats that run from home from the witch's stomach... But would she really eat them? Or is this witch simply having fun at the thought that she is the source of such terror and her role as a scary old villain pleases her? Baba Yaga is certainly scary, with her black/red eyes, long white hair, spiky teeth and villainous laugh, but what does she do at the end of the day? She gives a home to a young girl who feels like she doesn't belong to her new family. Underneath her scary facade, she is a kind witch that takes under her wing (or should I better say, her chicken-legged house haha) young people like Masha, who are lonely and depressed. Amazing colors, beautiful art style, and such a magical story. I will forever hold this wonderful little comic close to my heart!
... on my second reading i loved it even more, 5/5 stars
... on my second reading i loved it even more, 5/5 stars
October 28, 2015
A good middle grade fantasy featuring the incredibly cool Russian witch Baba Yaga. She's my absolute favorite wicked witch, and McCoola obviously feels the same way. She incorporates a lot of different Baba Yaga stories. So what kept this from being great for me? For one, I felt like her concept of Baba Yaga was a little confused. I think she wanted to make her be an ultimately benevolent force to help young girls grow, but that isn't really compatible with the folklore she draws so heavily on. So Baba Yaga is basically good, until she's really really not, and then she's basically good again. It didn't work for me. I also felt like there was a lack of resolution between Masha and her father, in a way that felt unsatisfying to me. And I was a little disappointed by the art. I adored Through the Woods, so I know Emily Carroll can do better than this. None of this was enough for me to dislike the book, but they did keep me from loving it. Good, not great.
February 7, 2019
Masha’s father hasn’t been there for her, not since the death of Masha’s mother long ago, or the recent loss of the grandmother who raised her. Now he’s marrying a woman he hasn’t even introduced to Masha previously. Not okay! So Masha answers an ad to become Baba Yaga’s assistant. Armed with the stories her grandmother told her about the witch, she sets out to pass the tests she’s given as part of the job… without betraying her own conscience. Masha is smart and capable, which makes sense given she’s been basically alone for quite some time. (I really don’t like her dad, can you tell?)
The book blends Masha’s current trials with memories of her past. She’s trying to find her own place in the world, since her old one is gone. Some of the flashbacks are profoundly sad, but the overall feeling of the book is of Masha getting her feet under her. Carroll’s cartooning is skilled, handling the changes from past to present well. There is no happy reunion here, though Masha does talk to her father once more. But it’s her time to move forward. Really enjoyed this one.
The book blends Masha’s current trials with memories of her past. She’s trying to find her own place in the world, since her old one is gone. Some of the flashbacks are profoundly sad, but the overall feeling of the book is of Masha getting her feet under her. Carroll’s cartooning is skilled, handling the changes from past to present well. There is no happy reunion here, though Masha does talk to her father once more. But it’s her time to move forward. Really enjoyed this one.
August 10, 2020
The phrase "A Modern Fairytale" seems cliché, but how else would you describe this? Set in modern times, a teenage girl named Masha's father is getting remarried. The stepmother isn't wicked but the stepsister is a little terror as some young children with issues can be. Baba Yaga posts an ad in the paper for an assistant. Instead of getting kidnapped, Masha seeks Babs Yaga out. Instead of escaping, she has to try to get into the house. Then, following some of the old stories, she performs tasks for her. Then Baba Yaga shows up with some naughty children to eat, including the stepsister. Masha realizes she kind of glossed over that part of the stories, and she has to do something to help the kids.
This does give you a bit of the stories of Baba Yaga for some context. The art is okay. I prefer Emily Carroll's black, white, and red books, but I acknowledge that's a personal preference. The family drama in the beginning was so subtle and real and well observed that I could read a book by McCoola about just that. My only real complaint is that this was too short.
This does give you a bit of the stories of Baba Yaga for some context. The art is okay. I prefer Emily Carroll's black, white, and red books, but I acknowledge that's a personal preference. The family drama in the beginning was so subtle and real and well observed that I could read a book by McCoola about just that. My only real complaint is that this was too short.
December 4, 2017
Not as good as I expected it to be, given that it's a Baba Yaga story, but not bad. Masha and her new stepsister-to-be are having a hard time adjusting to each other, so Masha runs away to answer Baba Yaga's ad for an assistant. When Baba Yaga decides to test her, Masha is ordered to cook her new stepsister. What will she do? Baba Yaga is depicted here as an evil old woman with a tiny bit of heart. Masha is brave and clever and doesn't let the witch scare her, especially since she's read all the folktales about Baba Yaga and knows her tricks and how to counter them. She's really a very likeable heroine. I love the nifty ending. I would recommend this to readers who are already familiar with some of the Baba Yaga tales, such as Katya Arnold's Baba Yaga: a Russian Folktale, Marianna Mayer's Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave, Hiawyn Oram's Baba Yaga and the Wise Doll, or Nancy Ford's three books.
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