Customer Reviews

The Flying Witch

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Flying Witch," by Jane Yolen, is illustrated by Vladimir Vagin. The book tells the story of Baba Yaga, a Russian witch who flies around in a giant mortar-and-pestle. Her goal: to kidnap and eat a child!

In the afterword, Yolen notes that she read a number of Baba Yaga stories in 3 books, but that the story here is her own. I imagine that a story whose main character wants to abduct and eat a child might not suit all tastes (forgive the pun), and that the portrayal of such a villainous witch might offend some Wiccan readers. But those issues aside, this is a wacky, fun, deliciously macabre book. The illustrations are really wonderful; Vagin successfully combines down-to-earth detail with fantastic imagery. Together the text and illustrations create a fairy tale world that has color and bite.

I checked this book out of the library and am now looking to buy it. My 6 year old just loves it, both the story and the illistrations. (A girl that falls off her father's turnip truck!?!?!). Great! And I sub and share this story with students and they just sit and listen and always want to hear it again and again. Love it!!!

By: Elizabeth age 8

I like the flying witch because I thought that the witch Baba Yaga was going to eat the girl she saw in the woods but she did not. The witch made a friend girl named Yummy.

This is my favorite part, Yummy (Y-um-mee) told Baba Yaga to get some beets so she can make beet soup. While her father was at the market selling beets and Baba Yaga ask to buy them all, Yummy's dad was worried and his daughter was missing from the car. His daughter fell off the car. When Baba Yaga got home, Yummy's dad followed Baba Yaga. When Yummy fed the witch she asked if this is better than a little girl.

This is my favorite part of the book because I like when Baba Yaga says that she wants to buy them all because it could make her sick. Yummy's dad follows the witch into her house so he could get his daughter.

The illustrations were so good I wouldn't be able to understand the book without them.

I think that ages 3-5 is good to read out loud, but to read to her/him self should be 6-9.

I think that the theme of this book is don't judge a person by they look.

The Flying Witch is not a series.

If "The Flying Witch" Has "Psycho", You're In Deep Trouble!