Babushka Baba Yaga
By Patricia Polacco
The Story
A witch famous throughout Russia for eating children is secretly a lonely old woman who longs for a grandchild, so she disguises herself as a village babushka to find one.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's ever felt like the one left out on the edge of the group, this is a story about an outsider finding her way in.
- Big idea: Loneliness can hide behind a fearsome reputation, and belonging often starts with someone brave enough to disguise their true self and try.
- Vibes: warm, folkloric, and quietly tender, with bursts of Russian village color and energy
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy folktales with a twist on the familiar villain
- are working on understanding that people aren't always what they seem
- respond well to stories about loneliness and belonging
- like to pore over richly patterned, detailed illustrations
Ask Your Little Reader
- Character & perspective: Why do you think Baba Yaga decided to disguise herself as an old village woman instead of staying who she was?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Babushka Baba Yaga felt when she was lonely and wished for a grandchild to love?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever felt like an outsider who wanted to be included? What happened?
- Imagination: If you had to disguise yourself to make a new friend, what would you pretend to be?
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think the villagers were afraid of Baba Yaga in the first place?
