The Flying Witch (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Vladimir Vagin (Illustrator) "Whirrr..." (more)
Key Phrases: Baba Yaga

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-"Whirrr. Whirr. Clunkety-clank." Baba Yaga flies across a moonlit sky over a verdant forest in her mortar and pestle, and readers can almost hear the whistling and shrieking of the wind as she slices through it. Yolen's vivid writing reflects the flavor of the original tales and comes alive with repetition of key phrases throughout the text. The author wisely injects humor to lighten up her version of the witch who scours the forest while seeking children to eat and thus provides a refreshingly original twist to the tale. She invents a fast-thinking heroine who uses her wits to defeat the witch, even spoon-feeding her at the end. Vagin's illustrations highlight the humor in the text. For instance, Baba Yaga flies upside down with garlic cloves and herbs tumbling from her pockets; and her nose is comically painted as a sharply pointed piece of steel-gray iron. Dappled sunlight on many pages and an especially lovely pastel-colored rainbow in the capture scene complement the mood and ending of the story. Detailed source notes appear on the last page. Use this tale with William Steig's Shrek! (Farrar, 1993) for a deliciously amusing romp with funny, spooky stories.
James K. Irwin, Poplar Creek Main Library, Steamwood, IL
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Baba Yaga a vegetarian? In this original story about the Russian folktale witch, Baba Yaga travels via her mortar and pestle, lives in a house set on chicken legs, and, stuck with nothing but watery soup, longs to eat a plump child. It seems she may get her chance for a good meal after a little girl falls from her father's turnip truck and into the witch's clutches. The clever child buys some time by convincing Baba Yaga to fatten her up with turnips. The child's father catches on when the witch shows up to buy his goods. By the time he comes to the rescue, the girl has cooked a turnip stew so "hot and filling" that Baba Yaga has changed her tune: it's "better than plump children." Compared with some of the original tales, this is "thin soup," with an inconsistent, somewhat strained plot. But there are some nice storytelling flourishes and some well-detailed artwork, with the feel of old Russia, perfectly suits the story. Many libraries will welcome this nonviolent New Age Baba Yaga. Linda Perkins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1ST edition (August 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060285362
• ISBN-13: 978-0060285364
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #872,022 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Twisted and tasty, May 20, 2004

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone Just Loves It....., March 16, 2004

By	kim "echolady" (san antonio, tx United States) - See all my reviews

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!!!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, June 1, 2004

By A Customer

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.