Kirkus Reviews

A complex and eventful Russian variant of the Cinderella story in which the stepmother sends the girl to the witch's house, where she performs seemingly impossible tasks with the help of a magical doll left her by her mother. In the tradition of Perrault, Mayer adopts a courtly tone, producing a graceful narrative that's appropriate to the opulent format here. Supplemented by elegantly embellished initials and ornamental borders, Craft's precise, rather static paintings derive their drama from the forest's dark shadows and the menacing details of Baba Yaga's visage and surroundings. The result is far less animated than Winthrop's version (Vasilissa the Beautiful, 1991, illustrated by Alexander Koshkin); still, a satisfactory addition. (Folklore/Picture book. 5-11)"

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The creators of The Twelve Dancing Princesses offer an elaborate interpretation of this Russian folktale, which incorporates elements of Hansel and Gretel as well as the Cinderella story. Craft's paintings (reminiscent, in their ornate detailing, of those of Gennady Spirin) are embellished with florid borders, inset illustrations and fancy dropped-capital letters at the start of the text block on each spread. Her startlingly hideous depiction of Baba Yaga the crone makes the pointy-hat-and-warted-nose witch found in most fairy tales seem downright cute by comparison; the impact, however, is gravely inhibited by a legend at the bottom of the painting: Smoking After Meals Is One of Baba Yaga's Many Bad Habits . . . '' Mayer's stately retelling is equally formal, but maintains a natural buoyancy that enhances the book's read-aloud appeal:It should be no wonder, then, that Baba Yaga lives alone. Even so, from time to time, there is the occasional visitor, the stray traveler, the hapless wanderer. Few have survived the visit.'' Similar in style to Elizabeth Winthrop's Vasilissa the Beautiful , this adaptation focuses on the heroine's bravery rather than her beauty, a distinction that may be important to some. All ages. (May)

Horn Book (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1994)

Through the goodness of her heart and with the help of the magic doll her mother made for her, Vasilisa earns the respect of the terrible witch Baba Yaga. With Baba Yaga's aid, she is freed of her wicked stepmother, and, eventually, she marries the czar. The lavish, ornate paintings are dramatic and fascinating.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-An engaging text and accomplished paintings set this version apart from the recent crop of retellings of this popular Russian variant of the Cinderella tale. After the death of her father, Vasilisa is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters; her only comfort is the magical doll made by her mother before she died. Sent to Baba Yaga's house to fetch a light, the girl becomes the witch's servant and is given a series of impossible tasks to perform. With the help of her doll, she pleases the demanding hag, who sends her home with the precious light. After it destroys her stepmother and stepsisters, Vasilisa goes to live with an elderly woman and learns to spin and weave. She creates an exquisite piece of cloth that catches the attention of the tsar. He seeks out its maker, finds the heroine, and asks for her hand in marriage. Mayer's graceful prose conveys both the wonder and power of the tale. Complementing the text are Craft's illustrations done in a mixture of watercolor, gouache, and oils. The palette of red and gold set against a dark background resembles Russian folk-art paintings on black-lacquered wood. The pictures are often dark, and the depiction of Baba Yaga is not for the weakhearted. The use of decorative capital letters, elegant typeface, and small drolleries add to the visual appeal of each page. A stylized and classy offering that's ideal for older picture-book audiences.-Denise Anton Wright, Illinois State University, Normal

ALA Booklist (Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 1994)

In a lush romantic version of an old Russian fairy tale, beautiful Vasilisa is sent by her evil stepmother on a dangerous journey to the ancient and terrible witch Baba Yaga. Of course, good Vasilisa triumphs; she returns to defeat her stepmother and marry the czar. She's helped by her secret companion, a little live doll, who acts as mentor and friend during the cruelties Vasilisa suffers and the menial tasks she must perform. But the story begins and ends with Baba Yaga in her hut made of human bones deep in the dark forest. She's scary, and the story doesn't play that down--on each fencepost surrounding her house a hollow-eyed skull sat glaring--yet the pictures keep the gruesomeness at a distance. One full-front portrait of Baba Yaga is amazing, her lined face like a beautiful ancient map, her steel nails clutching a pipe made of a skull (though for some reason, probably P.C. in nature, a note on the picture admonishes that smoking after meals was one of Baba Yaga's many bad habits). With elaborately decorated borders and illuminated first letters on each page, the illustrations contrast the angelic, light-filled domain of Vasilisa, pastoral and domestic, with the dark shadows of the witch. Both are powerful. (Reviewed June 1994)