Books Like...
'Egg & Spoon' by Gregory Maguire is a children's fiction novel set in Russia, featuring a rich array of Russian folklore and folktales such as The Firebird, Baba Yaga, and nesting dolls. The story follows two young girls, a city girl and a country girl, who accidentally swap places and find themselves embroiled in a magical adventure. The narrative blends elements of a moralistic fairy tale and a Tsarist Russian version of 'The Prince and the Pauper', all set against a backdrop of Russian history and culture.
If you liked Egg & Spoon, here are the top 19 books to read next:
- #1
Save:Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter is a contemporary retelling of the Russian folktale featuring Vassa, a teenage heroine living in Brooklyn with her stepmother and sisters. The story unfolds as Vassa finds herself working at a peculiar convenience store owned by a witchy and ruthless proprietor. The book blends magical realism with dark humor, whimsical imagery, and elements of horror, creating a surreal and fantastical world where the boundaries between reality and dreams blur. The narrative is filled with puzzling riddles, magical madness, and eerie characters, making it a modern fairy tale that is both captivating and unconventional.
People live here on purpose; that’s what I’ve heard. They even cross the country deliberately and move in to the neighborhoods near the river, and suddenly their shoes are cuter than they are, and ver... - #2
Save:The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner is a haunting and lovely tale that mixes magical realism and Jewish history, focusing on the fierce sisterly love between Liba and Laya. Set in a world of folklore and Jewish persecution, the story follows the sisters as they navigate a world of magic, whimsy, and dangerous secrets, all while facing personal trials and tribulations that test their bond and individuality.
The novel alternates between Liba's prose chapters and Laya's verse chapters, showcasing the contrasting nature of the sisters as they uncover family secrets, challenge societal norms, and embrace their own destinies in a world where prejudice and segregation loom. The blend of fairy tales, folklore, and Jewish history creates a fascinating combination that explores themes of familial love, heritage, sisterhood, and adolescent love in a setting of untamed wilderness and surreal magic.
If you want to know the history of a town, read the gravestones in its cemetery. That’s what my Tati always says. Instead of praying in the synagogue like all the other men of our town, my father goes... - #3
Save:Finding Baba Yaga is a mythic yet timely novel-in-verse by the beloved and prolific New York Times bestselling author and poet Jane Yolen, "the Hans Christian Andersen of America" (Newsweek).
A young woman discovers the power to speak up and take con
... - #4
Save:In tsarist Russia, a kitchen boy and a playboy are forced on the run, encountering spirits and demons in the woods. The relationship between the two men is sweet and contentious, with subtextual slashy undertones. The plotline is buried in boring waiting around and inaction, with the point of view switching between characters causing confusion. The story revolves around feelings and emotions, exploring the power of emotions in controlling one's environment and the importance of agreement among wizards.
A particularly large one lingered where water ran off The Cockerel’s west porch, but it was not ice that shattered, it was aunt Ilenka’s butter-churn, when Pyetr Kochevikov rode his horse up onto the ... Ask Baba Yaga: Otherworldly Advice for Everyday Troubles by Taisia Kitaiskaia is a unique book where Baba Yaga, a supernatural figure, offers wisdom and advice to modern-day problems through the lens of Slavic folklore. The writing style is described as poetic, profound, and practical, with each response from Baba Yaga being a blend of pure poetry and practical advice. The book is a mix of fairy tale and agony column, providing a magical and spellbinding experience for readers. The illustrations and physical quality of the book enhance the overall sensory experience, making it a delightful read.
- #6
Save:'Enchantment' by Orson Scott Card is a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty set in Russia and the United States. The story follows Ivan, a young man who discovers a sleeping princess named Katerina in the forest and embarks on a journey through time and adventures filled with elements of Russian folklore, romance, and magic. As Ivan and Katerina navigate the complexities of their different worlds, they must decide how they feel about each other while facing challenges like evil knights and Baba Yaga. The novel seamlessly weaves together themes of family relationships, cultural identity, and the clash between past and present, creating a captivating and unique fantasy narrative.
I’m ten years old, my whole life you’ve called me Vanya. My name is on the school records, on government papers as Ivan Petrovich Smetski. Now you tell me I’m really Itzak Shlomo. What am I, a Jewish ... - #7
Save:'A Wolf for a Spell' by Karah Sutton is a magical tale that intertwines the lives of Zima, a wolf struggling to protect her pack and the forest, Nadya, a human orphan on a mission to save her friend from a distrustful tsar, and Baba Yaga, a witch with a complex nature. The story delves into themes of teamwork, overcoming fears, and the importance of honesty and self-discovery. Set in a world of Russian folklore, the book weaves together adventure, magic, and excitement as the characters embark on a journey to defeat evil and protect what they hold dear.
The book is praised for its originality, beautiful illustrations, and engaging storytelling that captivates readers of all ages. With a mix of adventure, intrigue, and peril, 'A Wolf for a Spell' keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they follow the characters through a wondrous world filled with folklore and magic.
- #8
Save:In the Forests of Serre by Patricia A. McKillip is a fantasy tale that intricately weaves together Russian folklore elements, such as the firebird and Baba Yaga, with a unique and enchanting storyline. The book follows Prince Ronan of Serre, who is grieving the loss of his wife and child, and Princess Sidonie of Dacia, who is betrothed to Ronan against his wishes. As their paths intertwine with wizards, witches, and magical creatures in the Forest of Serre, a complex and engaging narrative unfolds, showcasing McKillip's lyrical writing style and ability to create captivating characters.
In the forests of Serre, Prince Ronan crossed paths with the Mother of All Witches when he rode down her white hen in a desolate stretch of land near his father’s summer palace. He did not recognize h... - #9
Save:'Odd and the Frost Giants' by Neil Gaiman is a charming children's story that draws on Norse mythology. The plot revolves around Odd, a young Viking boy who encounters talking animals that turn out to be gods in disguise. Together, they embark on a quest to defeat the Frost Giants and bring an end to the endless winter. The writing style is described as magical, simple, and engaging, with clear and crisp prose that weaves together elements of traditional fables and modern storytelling.
His father had been killed during a sea raid two years before, when Odd was ten. It was not unknown for people to get killed in sea raids, but his father wasn’t killed by a Scotsman, dying in glory in... - #10
Save:'Deathless' by Catherynne M. Valente is a novel that intricately weaves together Russian folklore with the historical backdrop of pre and post-revolutionary Russia. The story follows Marya Morevna, the human bride of Koshchei the Deathless, as she navigates a world filled with magical elements such as firebirds, Baba Yaga, and house spirits, all set against the grim realities of the Soviet era. Valente's writing style is described as seductive, mesmerizing, and poetic, drawing readers into a dark and enchanting narrative that delves into themes of love, power, and the duality of life and death.
In a city by the sea which was once called St. Petersburg, then Petrograd, then Leningrad, then, much later, St. Petersburg again, there stood a long, thin house on a long, thin street. By a long, thi...
