Vasalisa and Her Magic Doll [Hardcover]

Rita Brauer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 1994 | Age Level: 6 and up

With the help of a magical doll given to her by her late mother, Vasalisa braves the dark forces of the forest and the evil powers of Baba Yaga to rekindle her light and find her true path in life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Newcomer Grauer's interpretation of the popular Russian folktale presents a marked contrast to Marianna Mayer's Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave (see above), in terms of both content and style. A brief author's note credits several variations of the tale as well as the "interpretative works" of such figures as Carl Jung and Bruno Bettelheim. The result is that Grauer removes the Cinderella motif from the story, stressing instead the relationship between young Vasalisa, who "looks just like a little doll," and her older sister, Svetlana. After their mother's death, a jealous Svetlana contrives to send Vasalisa to the dreaded Baba Yaga's house in order to obtain a light. In another departure from previous versions, Vasalisa must also surrender her magic doll in order to win freedom from the crone and enjoy a happy reunion with her sister. Soft, colored-pencil illustrations, cast a cozy glow over the tale, somewhat at odds with its dark content, and the text lacks much of the dramatic imagery that distinguishes other versions. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-This interesting version of the Russian story has mixed results. Grauer imbues her retelling with a modern, almost New Age sensibility and interprets the tale as female quest. Sent by her jealous sister to fetch fire from Baba Yaga, Vasalisa is guided by a magical doll given to her by her deceased mother. By following its advice to "Do what lies before you," Vasalisa appeases the ferocious witch with a delicious borsch and sacrifices her precious kukla in order to return home with the fire. There she is welcomed back and her sister begs forgiveness. Little motivation is provided for Svetlana's sudden change of heart, and Grauer's emphasis on a peaceful resolution undermines the central conflict in the traditional tale. The nearly full-page colored-pencil illustrations vary in style from near photorealism, to observed realism, to fantasy. Grauer's use of muted colors, combined with her soft focus, results in artwork that is too passive for such an active story. Scenes that are meant to be horrifying, such as Baba Yaga's sudden growth into a giant, instead look warm and inviting. Many of the visual details are at odds with the story's Russian setting. Wearing turquoise jewelry and clothing reminiscent of the American Southwest, Baba Yaga looks more like a Native American shaman than a Russian witch and Vasalisa, with her sleek page-boy hairstyle, looks as if she just stepped out of "Charlie's Angels." Elizabeth Winthrop's Vasilissa the Beautiful (HarperCollins, 1991) retains the power of the folktale.
Denise Anton Wright, Illinois State University, Normal
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Philomel; 1ST edition (May 4, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399219862
• ISBN-13: 978-0399219863
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,080,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story about an animate doll and her owner, May 17, 2011

By 

Tiffany Adelyn Metze "Keep Austin Reading!!!" (Austin, TX, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vasalisa and Her Magic Doll (Hardcover)

This is a lovely story. The girl, Vasalisa, is so beautiful her older sister is hateful with jealousy. When Vasalisa's mother dies, she can no longer be protected by her mother's love. Her mother, however, leaves Vasalisa a magic doll that she must show to no one. To the older sister she leaves the house and all its contents. She begs the sister to learn to love Vasalisa, but this proves difficult. Eventually Vasalisa is left only with her doll for company.

They are forced to endure difficulties and lonliness, but the magic doll helps through it all.

It is a poignant story about a girl and her doll. The narration flows well and the story engages the reader to the end. If you are a fan of doll books, as I am, I highly recommend you read this book.