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Baba Yaga's Assistant
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
43 posts | 57 read | 51 to read
Russian folklore icon Baba Yaga mentors a lonely teen in a wry graphic novel that balances gleefully between the modern and the timeless. 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, 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 Yagas 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 her host. No easy task, with children on the menu! Spooky and poignant, Marika McCoolas stunning debutwith richly layered art by acclaimed graphic artist Emily Carrollis a storytelling feat and a visual feast.
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RosePressedPages
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

I really loved this short graphic novel. It was on my winter tbr and the perfect pick me up for a reading slump. I loved Masha‘s character, the weaving of fairytale‘s and her grandmother‘s stories. Masha‘s dad sucked though. The ending was perfect ☺️

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BeeMagical
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

Books 13 & 14📚 4⭐️

Wrath was fantastic and deserves more hype!! Genetically & Intellectually modified rat escapes and causes an uprising!🐀(There‘s no tag for this book☹️)

Baba Yaga had wonderful artwork and I really enjoyed it as a graphic novel

🪆

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Robotswithpersonality
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Mehso-so

A cute spin on a classic folk tale character. I think her house plays a greater role in the story than she does. The theme of blended family adjustment is certainly something a variety of young people can probably relate to. I believe I found this when I went looking for other works illustrated by Emily Carroll, but I can now say I prefer when she's both the author and the illustrator.

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

Another book that was on the shelving trolley that coincidentally had also been on my tbr for ages. This went a lot harder than I was expecting - was actually just as devastated as Masha when she found out that her Dad had actually been leaving her home alone to eat dinner with his soon to be wife and her young daughter. I‘ve always been fascinated with Baba Yaga and her house on chicken legs - so seeing her from Masha‘s POV was very enjoyable.

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Addison_Reads
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

Another fun MG read about my favorite witch. The illustrations by Emily Carroll (Through the Woods) added so much detail to the story. The way she draws Baba Yaga is frightening and fun.

A young girl runs off to work with Baba Yaga after her father tells her he is getting remarried. The childhood stories her grandmother always shared help her through the various situations she finds herself in. It's an adventurous tale with a heartfelt ending.

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IndoorDame
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

This has been on my TBR for ages. One of my favorite things about #LMPBC signups is that tons of new titles end up on my radar from books our groups look at but don‘t pick, & sometimes, like now, I‘m reminded of how excited I was about titles already on my TBR. This ended up being a good read. It interweaves the story with the general fairy tale canon elegantly, & I found it to have a really satisfying ending. #Scarathlon2021 #TeamSlaughter +6

Clwojick LOVE this cover! 3y
49 likes1 comment
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booksbrewsandbooze
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Anxious.Librarian on Instagram is doing a spooky reading challenge and I‘m here for it! I‘d pick #BabaYagasAssistant for the Little Bookshop of Horrors square! #booksbrewsandbooze #trickortreatathon #spookylane21

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booksbrewsandbooze
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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My one night stand 😂 Excuse the random crackers, I had a migraine that made me resort to eating nothing but crackers for a while! #babayagasassistant #achristmascarol #achristmascarolcookbook #tashatudor #bakercreekseedcatalog #thehobohandbook #alicesadventuresinwonderland #thesecretgarden #wutheringheights #talesofmysteryandmadness #booksbrewsandbooze

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DGRachel
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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This week, I freed myself from a couple of NetGalley albatrosses by bailing (thanks for all the advice, Litsy!) and attempted to listen to a cozy, but I hated the narrator. I may retry the book in print later, though, as the story has potential. Tagged book was my favorite read for the week. The others were okay. I did start another eARC (rabbits) and made progress in Why We Can‘t Sleep. #bookreport

Cinfhen I love a good bail🙌🏻makes me feel so much lighter 🎉 5y
Literary_Siren How did you feel about the book about the Titanic. 5y
Crazeedi Sometimes bailing is the only solution 5y
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DGRachel @Cinfhen It really did improve my mood early in the week. 😆 @Crazeedi I completely agree. 5y
DGRachel @Literary_Siren I made it 60% through the audio and bailed. I found it dry and tedious and I also felt the author would have done better to narrow his scope. The book was all over the place. But, I can also see why a lot of people love it. It‘s really a case of “not for me”. Do you like Erik Larson‘s style? If so, you might really enjoy this one. Personally, Larson puts me to sleep. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5y
Literary_Siren I have some of his books but I haven‘t read any of them yet. 5y
57 likes6 comments
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DGRachel
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

A young woman‘s father brings home a new wife and her bratty daughter, so the woman who recently lost her beloved grandmother answers Baba Yaga‘s newspaper ad for an assistant. I‘m not familiar with the folklore surrounding Baba Yaga, but this was a quick, fun, rather creepy read. I didn‘t love the art and I didn‘t care for the lettering style, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story

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Chrys
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

Baba Yaga stories are definitely a new favorite for me. I loved Masha in this one as well and would happily read more if they make it a series #TeamStoker #Scarathlon
3 points @TheReadingMermaid

BeansPage 🧟‍♀️ 5y
18 likes1 comment
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CoffeeCatsBooks
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

In this children‘s graphic novel, Masha‘s lost her mom at a young age and has a neglectful father. Her grandmother, who once escaped the Baba Yaga, comforts her, but then she dies and her father remarried. It is too much for our heroine and she decides to run off and go work for the Baba Yaga.

The illustrations are from Emily Carroll, who also did Through the Woods. Enjoyable, quick read. #scarathlon #TeamStoker 2pts

BeansPage 🧟‍♀️ 5y
41 likes1 stack add1 comment
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CoffeeCatsBooks
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Oh no, my Friday plans were canceled! 😉Darn, I guess I‘ll just have to stay in a read with some witches. 🧹

#scarathlon #TeamStoker 1pt

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Brie
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

Loved this Baba Yaga tale and the illustrations are awesome! Masha was a wonderfully kind, quick-witted, and resourceful heroine after answering the old crone‘s help wanted ad in the paper.

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elizabethlk
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

My poor girl injured her tail this past week, so she's doomed to The Cone (until next week). She's so uncomfortable that I can't say no when she asks me to read to her in bed, even if I find comics a bit awkward to read aloud.

Baba Yaga's Assistant was a fabulous read though. Cute and funny, fun and heartfelt. It was everything I had hoped for. Anyone who enjoys fairy tale retellings and anything to do with Baba Yaga should give it a go.

TrishB Awww ❤️ poor Doggo 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awwww 💔💔 5y
kezzlou85 Poor doggy. All better soon, I hope. 5y
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readordierachel Poor thing 💕 5y
DGRachel Poor puppy! Bailey hates her cone, too, but every time I try to give her a break from it, she licks her paw. 😔 I hope your baby heals quickly! 5y
elizabethlk @TrishB @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @kezzlou85 @readordierachel I'll give my girl your sympathies. Less than a week until she gets the stitches out and can lose the cone. 5y
elizabethlk And @DGRachel I hope your baby heals quickly too. It's hard not to feel helpless to care for them when they clearly just don't understand why it has to be that way. 5y
44 likes7 comments
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Kalalalatja
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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If the mean, old, witch, Baba Yaga, saks you for a #helpinghand, you should seriously reconsider. You will get jobs which are impossible to solve, you have to deal with a moody house on chicken legs, and you risk being eaten. Just saying...

#MarchintoOz

haileybean This sounds amazing lol. 7y
alisiakae Have you read Vassa in the Night? It‘s a modern retelling of the Baba Yaga tales. I didn‘t really like it, but that‘s just me. I love the original Baba Yaga stories! 7y
Kalalalatja @4thhouseontheleft I have. I thought it was okay, but I wasn‘t that impressed by it. @haileyhugsbooks it is a lot of fun! 7y
alisiakae @Kalalalatja then I guess I‘m not the only one who didn‘t enjoy it! 7y
Cinfhen Such an awesome cover 😍 7y
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tjwill
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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ReadingRover I liked this one! 7y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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tjwill
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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alanacristin
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

This was a fun, short fairy tale read. I sought it out having liked Into the Woods by the illustrator Emily Carroll. Oh and because Baba Yaga 😍 found myself wanting more to this story and it seems as though further adventures are possible. #mommyreads #graphicnovel #comics #fairytale #folklore

Linsy Great illustration! 👍 6y
18 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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alanacristin
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Woohoo!!! 🎉🎉🎉 hitting the ground running while we're stateside and just picked up a bunch of holds for the toddler and me 💗 a lot of the picture books are nominated in the goodreads choice awards. #mommyreads #comics #graphicnovel #crime #babyreads #picturebooks #librarybooks #bookhaul

UrsulaMonarch Nice!!! 💚 7y
alanacristin @Lkelly I'm so excited 😍😍😍 I've already read four 😄 7y
UrsulaMonarch @alanacristin 👍👍 which is the favorite so far? 😃 7y
alanacristin @Lkelly this picture book is adorable and perfect for bookish caretakers 😍 7y
UrsulaMonarch @alanacristin wonderful! Looks adorable, will have to check this out, thanks!! 😊 7y
16 likes5 comments
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Kati15
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

This was such a great and fun book!
#graphicnovel #booknerdlife #bookgeek #bookoflitsy

Full Review On Kati‘s Bookaholic Rambling Reviews
http://katisbookaholicramblingreviews.blogspot.com/2017/10/review-baba-yagas-ass...

24 likes1 stack add
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readinginthedark
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

I loved this! I haven‘t read much about Baba Yaga, and this was a great start. The art was a little weird—fun and creepy at the same time. And there wasn‘t a super long story. It takes place over a period of one or two days with some flashbacks. But the characters and the emotion—just great. I read this a while ago, but I think it would be perfect to keep you in the Halloween spirit!

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Kalalalatja
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Mehso-so

This was a fun, quick read. I had hoped for something a little bit darker (especially based on the cover), but I think this is supposed to be suited for kids as well as adults. The story felt a bit rushed, and the art style was a bit too cartoony for me. However, it was a good and different introduction into some of the stories about Baba Yaga 👍

#RussianLit2017

howlinglibraries I thought this one was pretty cute, but if you haven‘t already read it, and are looking for something darker, I highly recommend Emily Carroll‘s graphic novel 7y
batsy I have not read this but want to at some point, because Ugresic is a fab writer. I think it's a novel that uses the Baba Yaga myth as metaphor and not a straightforward retelling, though 7y
CoffeeCatsBooks I also highly recommend Through the Woods. 7y
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Kalalalatja @howlinglibraries @CoffeeCatsBooks I have it on my tbr and hopefully I will buy it at some point 👍 7y
Kalalalatja @batsy I really want to read that too! It is part of the Canongate Myth series, right? 7y
batsy @Kalalalatja Yes! 👍 7y
83 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Kalalalatja
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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This October marks the 100th year since the Russian Revolution. Since I love Russian lit and books inspired by Russian folk and fairy tales, I wanted to dedicate my #OctoberTBR to everything Russian 📚 #RussianLit2017

I'm hoping to get to most of these during October, but I'm also leaving room for some mood reading

#SpookyOctober

Mommamanzi LOVE this!!! 7y
Kalalalatja @Mommamanzi feel free to join in! I should have made a # 😄 7y
Mommamanzi Shadow and Bone Is on my tbr list, I would love to do a read along of some sort with you! 7y
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Nat_Reads What a great idea!! 7y
HippieChickHomeschool How fun! I love everything Russian too! 7y
CareBear Love this idea! 7y
batsy That's a great idea. I love whatever Russian lit I've read and Crime and Punishment is on my TBR! But I think I've over-extended myself for the month of October 😆 7y
Kalalalatja @Mommamanzi I'm in! What would be a good time for you? 👍 7y
Kalalalatja @Nat_Reads @CareBear @HippieChickHomeschool If you do read anything Russian or Russia related, then I would love to know, so please feel free to tag me ☺️👍 7y
Kalalalatja @batsy I know the feeling! I have been "saving" up for this for some time now. I think I started thinking about it back in March, so I have known for quite a while, that I wanted to do this. ? 7y
batsy @Kalalalatja Cool! Enjoy ☺️📚 7y
Mommamanzi I can start as early as next week. Just let me know when you're ready for it! 😀📚♥️ 7y
Kalalalatja Next week is perfect for me 👍 and this is the point, where I admit, I haven't really done a readalong, so how do we do it? Just read as we want and talk about it, or certain chapters at certain days? Or a third option I don't know about? 😄 7y
102 likes1 stack add13 comments
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readinginthedark
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Starting a new GN at the library while my son plays! This one is creepy and fantastic so far!

UglyOldBat Ooh I want to read this! Baba Yaga is one crazy lady 7y
readinginthedark @abandonallhope I haven't read much about Baba Yaga, but I need to remedy that! I haven't had time to finish this one yet. It's really good so far! 7y
59 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Kalalalatja
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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I can't wait until I have an opportunity to read these books #covertocover 📚

#Fallintobooks

RealLifeReading Such a lovely Atwood cover! 7y
RealLifeReading Oh also I just adore Binti! 7y
Kalalalatja @RealLifeReading thank you! And I can't wait to read Binti, I think it might have to be my next read! 7y
kylienoele The illustrated Stardust is awesome!! Charles Vess is one of my fave artists! 7y
104 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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DragonSadhana
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

I really loved this graphic novel. Baba Yaga is a tremendous figure within mythology - a crone who terrifies children and lives in the wilds within a ramshackle house carried by two scaly chicken legs. This story centers around a teen/young woman who is feeling out of place, and decides to apply for the position of Baba Yaga's assistant. Great ending. #sirensreadingchallenge

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DragonSadhana
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Haven't been on in a while, but I have been reading! I'll have to make updates on the books I've read later. For now, starting on this one for the #sirensreadingchallenge!

elkeOriginal Are you going to the Sirens conference? 7y
DragonSadhana @elkeo I'm not, but I do love their reading list. Are you going? (edited) 7y
12 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Schlinkles
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Having a lazy Saturday drinking coffee and catching up on graphic novels

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elkeOriginal
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

What a delightful palette cleanser this Baba Yaga graphic novel is! After reading & loving Vassa in the Night last year and having Bear & the Nightingale on my TBR shelf, Baba is 'in'! This is a good reminder of Baba's other tricks since the tales vary.
And the illustrations by Emily Carroll (Through the Woods) are terrific!
#24in48 #readathon

64 likes7 stack adds6 comments
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Smangela
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Part of my #TBR for @24in48 😍 I requested a million graphic novels from the library, have some short novels in transit, and have 3 audiobooks to choose from... I think I'm doing well in my prep ✅📚

Reviewsbylola Tell me more about the Jane Austen! That looks like a graphic novel you may like @Mdargusch 8y
Smangela @reviewsbylola I saw someone post a graphic novel of pride & Prejudice by Nancy Butler and I was intrigued this was the only one my library had - but it looks delightful! 8y
Reviewsbylola Great thank you! 8y
tapgurl I loved Baba Yaga in elementary school! 8y
58 likes4 comments
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reader44ever
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

Today (January 16, 2017), I read Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola.

I really enjoyed this comic collection. It was a delightful story about one of my favorite subjects, Baba Yaga!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ My full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1870009567

#dogsoflitsy #ReadingWithDogs

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AmandaL
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

This was a fun, fast middle grade read that I found really touching. Masha, the heroine, uses her knowledge of Baba Yaga stories to ace her job interview for witch's assistant. #Recommendsday

50 likes4 stack adds
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estellasrevenge
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

A quick, fun, beautiful graphic novel.

Loreen Love the cover art! 8y
TheWordJar I only just discovered Baba Yaga. I think I would have loved the stories as a kid. Definitely need to read this one! 8y
18 likes2 comments
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Erin01
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

this was such a fun & entertaining read + I quite enjoyed the illustrations as well 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
tea is always my go to beverage so I'm also using this photo for today's #photoadaynov16 prompt #booksandbrew

LazyOwl I love the cover, if that's anything to go by, then it looks like a fun read 8y
41 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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Joannananamc
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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"Having a sister is better than being eaten."
"Being around you is better than being roasted by a dragon."

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Joannananamc
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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"I still think you're going to cook us!"

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Joannananamc
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Really enjoyed learning about this Russian fairytale character.

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ReadingRover
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

Unlike others Masha doesn't shy away from the child eating witch in the woods. Instead she sets out to win over Baba Yaga & become her assistant as an escape from her own complicated home life. She puts what she learned from her grandmother to use & cleverly outwits the witch w/ every test given hoping to impress her. The art is detailed & bold. Baba Yaga herself is all sharp lines let loose on the page like the ragged edges of a scream.

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ReadingRover
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Cyclops approves of my graphic novel choices of late!!! He also approves of the treat I'm holding!

Liberty 😍 8y
MrBook Aww, such a cutie 😸! 8y
4 likes2 comments
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JPeterson
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

A well-illustrated and written graphic novel. I loved this cute story about a young girl and her unusual experience with Baba Yaga. I just wish there was more of Baba Yaga throughout, but it did give some insight to a few stories from Slavic folklore I hadn't heard before.

BekahB I really liked this book. I read a Baba Yaga themed children's book called Bony-Legs by Joanna Cole when I was a kid that terrified me. This was a fun trip down memory lane of a character from Slavic folklore that scared the pants off of me as a kid. Fun new spin on an old story. Beautiful graphics! 8y
JPeterson That's awesome! I love reading new twist on fairytales that I grew up with. 8y
9 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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strikingthirteen
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

A young girl raised by her grandmother and her stories about Baba Yaga answers the witch's ad for an assistant. Fabulous artwork and a great story involving the practical applications of fairy tales.

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UnderTheRadarBooks
Baba Yaga's Assistant | Marika McCoola
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Pickpick

This made me feel like a little kid reading fairy tales under my covers with a flashlight

19 likes7 stack adds