Skull and Pestle: New Tales of Baba Yaga by Kate Forsyth (Author), Lissa Sloan (Author), Kate Wolford (Editor)

Baba Yaga has been around for a long time. I first read about her in a children's book with Russian fairy tales.  Here are some new tales about her with the variations you can get from different story tellers.  The most interesting ones are the ones that are different from the original tale.

World Weaver Press sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published January 22nd.

My favorite story is the one where a boy comes and asks the witch to help him get rid of a bully.  He's even willing to let her kill and eat him.  She gives him chores to do and then makes him a drink that will help him.  It's not what he expects and he's very unhappy.  He changed into a girl and so did his tormentor.  Will he change back or will he be stuck as a girl forever?

Most of the tales are about young girls that stepmothers are trying to get rid of.  She's sent out to look for fire and has no idea just how wicked Baba Yaga is.  Some stories show her bad side.  In some she's almost decent.  Most girls have a little magic doll that helps them.  There are riders (white, red and black) that Baba Yaga controls.  They add some intrigue.

While some stories are quite similar, they all have different endings.  I found this enjoyable read.