Based upon the traditional Russian tale of Tereshichka, collected by noted folklorist Alexander Afanasyev in the nineteenth century, this beautifully-illustrated picture-book opens with the story of an older couple who so long for a child that they take a piece of wood, wrap it in a flannel blanket, and place it in a cradle. Imagine their surprise when they find a living baby in its place, the next morning! As Tishka grows up, his mother - wanting to keep him safe - warns him of the evil witch Baba Yaga, but when he falls into her hands as the result of trickery, and finds himself about to be roasted for her dinner, the clever young boy must think quickly, if he is to escape...

As Katya Arnold notes in her introduction, Baba Yaga is an immensely important figure in Russian folklore, one who can be either benign or malevolent. Here she clearly appears in her most terrifying guise, as the baby-eating monster. The bold illustrations, which really emphasize the grotesquerie of the tale, are done in the lubok style of Russian folk-art. This one is well worth the time of Russian folklore enthusiasts, particularly those with an interest in Baba Yaga! ( )

Creepy Russian folktale about Baba Yaga and her child-stealing ways - illustrated in a rough sketchy style.

Tishka, a little boy, is captured by the witch Baba Yaga, but he manages to trick her -- getting her to eat her own daughter (thinking it was him). When Baba Yaga comes after him, an ugly gosling flying by helps him escape.