Baba Yaga's Assistant

I recently read Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola, which is a middle-grade graphic novel that tells the story of a young girl named Masha who becomes the assistant to the legendary witch Baba Yaga. I love the art of Emily Carroll (Through the Woods is a fantastic graphic novel), and her illustrations are the main reason I picked up this book. While I was thoroughly impressed by the stunning artwork, I found the story to be somewhat lacking. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and bring the fantastical world of Baba Yaga to life in a way that is truly magical. However, I was left wanting more from the narrative itself.

In the book, Masha is a young girl who is trying to find her place in the world. She stumbles upon Baba show more Yaga, the legendary witch, and becomes her assistant. Masha finds herself on a journey filled with magic, mythical creatures, and new experiences as she helps Baba Yaga with her tasks. Along the way, Masha discovers that she has a talent for magic herself and begins to gain confidence in her abilities. The story follows Masha as she learns more about herself and her grandmother, who was also once an assistant to Baba Yaga. Through her adventures, Masha discovers the importance of bravery and determination.

There is certainly an interesting premise here, but unfortunately it feels quite simplistic in its current form. There is a lack of depth and complexity to the plot, with very little character development or intricate world-building. For example, while Baba Yaga is depicted as a powerful and mysterious figure, her motivations and character are not explored in any meaningful way. I liked the flashbacks to stories Masha had heard before and I enjoyed learning little snippets of the Baba Yaga mythos, but all of the conflicts seemed to resolve too easily (and yes, I recognize that this is a middle grade story based in folklore haha).

Overall, I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a visually stunning story, but those looking for a more substantial narrative may be disappointed. The illustrations alone make this book worth checking out, but be prepared for a story that feels like it could have been fleshed out more. show less

Why would anyone choose to live with the Baba Yaga? Most tales surrounding that child eating witch involve a bright child outwitting the witch to escape the enchanted roving house with gigantic chicken legs. But when Masha's cold and distant father abruptly introduces her to a new stepmother and stepsister, life with the evil Baba Yaga seems like a better option than the physical pain of being scratched, bitten and beaten by her new stepsister or the deeper emotional pain of watching her father shower attention on his new bride and child.

Not a fan of the art style and I really didn’t like the lettering, but the story more than made up for the graphics. It was a fast, fun, creepy read.

Masha has grown up on stories of Baba Yaga, told to her by her grandmother, and finds herself longing for some magic in her life. Her father has married a new stepmother, who brings with her a terrible step-sister for Masha. Frustrated by the attention her father lavishes on his new family, Masha strikes out to find Baba Yaga after finding an advertisement in the paper for an opening as Baba Yaga's assistant.

Like all good fairy tales, she must complete certain impossible tasks to prove herself, which she does aptly with the help from her grandmother's stories. When Baba Yaga kidnaps her new step-sister and several other children, Masha's quick wit keeps them safe and brings them home, with a twist ending that betrays a certain maturity show more about this story.

The artwork in Baba Yaga's Assistant is done with soft, thin lines. The characters are portrayed realistically, aside from the titular Baba Yaga, who is the prototypical cartoon witch. The stories told to Masha by her grandmother are drawn in more simplistic, flat art that works to emphasize the difference between them and the main storyline.

The color palette is where illustrator Emily Carroll really shines, however. Flipping through the pages is an experience in color: reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows are used to depict danger and quick-wit, grays and blacks are used for sad scenes, and a gorgeous cool color palette is used as the story moves to its conclusion. One particular spread of the children, led by Masha, marching along a golden road through blue, black, and purple trees under a purple sky spotted with stars reminiscent of the Aurora Borealis, is downright magical.

The conclusion itself, as I said, betrays a certain maturity. Appropriate for a story about Baba Yaga, this story does not have a Disney-happy, everything works out ending. Instead, it's a bittersweet, realistic take that doesn't flinch away from unhappy realities.

A lovely, moving story that will delight all readers who grew up with stories of the infamous Baba Yaga, Baba Yaga's Assistant is well worth a look. show less

A cool subversion on the witch steals child storyline since this time the child, Masha in this case, willingly seeks out the witch.

Although the story did end rather abruptly, I think I found this book endearing because the artwork was so cute.

ASSISTANT WANTED ASAP
Must have skills in hauling, obeying orders, cooking, and cleaning. Magical talent a bonus. Must be good with heights. Enter Baba Yaga's house to apply.

Most children think twice before braving a haunted wood filled with terrifying beasties to match wits with a witch, but not Masha. Her beloved grandma taught her many things: that stories are useful, that magic is fickle, and that nothing is too difficult or too dirty to clean. The fearsome witch of folklore needs an assistant, and Masha needs an adventure. She may be clever enough to enter Baba Yaga's house on chicken legs, but within its walls, deceit is the rule. To earn her place, Masha must pass a series of tests, outfox a territorial bear, and make dinner for show more her host. No easy task, with children on the menu!

Wry, spooky and poignant, Marika McCoola's debut--with richly layered art by acclaimed graphic artist Emily Carroll--is a storytelling feat and a visual fest. show less

A new and interesting take on both Baba Yaga and blended families. Step-parents and step-siblings aren't always awesome and amazing and sometimes it's preferable to run off and become the assistant to the witch in the woods. And, yes, Baba Yaga eats children, but she's (reluctantly) willing to let them go if they can truly change their behaviors and attitudes. McCoola cleverly blends several Baba Yaga tales into a single and singular narrative and I can't think of any artist who would have been better suited to bring this story to life than Carroll. Unfortunately, the ARC was in black and white and the finished copy will be in full color. While the story completely works in black and white, adding color will inevitably affect the mood show more of the piece--for good or ill I do not know. However the color affects the final product, the story is well worth your time and should prove popular with middle grade girls. show less