The Baba Yaga is one of my favourite mythic characters, and she seems to be making a bit of a cultural reemergence, so I thought I'd share a few contemporary books where she plays a starring role. Out recently is Sophie Anderson's wonderful The House on Chicken Legs. I loved it so much. It's a delightful…Read more Baba Yaga Books
Lorena Carrington
The Making of a Dress
I spent much of last week making a dress. The best thing? I didn't even need a sewing machine. The worst? I can never wear it, and I really want to! Kate and I are working on the follow-up to Vasilisa the Wise, and I'm in the wonderful phase of dreaming up new illustrations. I couldn't…Read more The Making of a Dress
The history of Vasilisa
By KATE FORSYTH This week Vasilisa the Wise & Other Tales of Brave Young Women is finally launched into the world. To celebrate I thought I would explore the history of the titular tale, which is one of the best-known and best-loved Russian fairy-tales. An old oral tale, it was transcribed by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev…Read more The history of Vasilisa
Castlemaine Launch
Last Thursday, Castlemaine Library hosted the first launch of Vasilisa the Wise and Other Tales of Brave Young Women. About seventy people came along and shared the celebration, one that's been several years in the making. The wonderful Carmel Bird gave the launch speech and began: Once in a kingdom far far away there lived…Read more Castlemaine Launch
Listen carefully, Vasilisa
As publication date nears, Serenity Press has recorded a short excerpt of Vasilisa the Wise & Other Tales of Brave Young Girls. Have a listen - turn the sound up. The video was voiced by Monique Mulligan, with music called "Low Horizon" by Kai Engel providing a marvellous soundtrack. The next step is to create…Read more Listen carefully, Vasilisa
Trailer: Vasilisa the Wise
"Morning is wiser than the evening." Vasilisa, Russian fairy tale Our proofs are at the printer and should soon be on the ship, ready for despatch to Australia - we are so thrilled. We're also thrilled to announce that Kate and Lorena will be working together on a follow-up book, Mollie Whuppie & Other Tales…Read more Trailer: Vasilisa the Wise
Proof of a dream
The creation of a book is often likened to the birth of a baby - it's a simile that works well, because really, that's exactly what it is. When authors call their books their "book baby", they are likening their creation to something they have nurtured from conception to birth, and has a deep connection…Read more Proof of a dream
The Illustration Process
When you look at Lorena's illustrations, do you see paint? Ink? Paper cut outs? Her work is certainly inspired by the incredible pen and ink illustrations of Arthur Rackham and the watercolour and cut-out works of Jan Pienkowski, but she uses an altogether different method. In an extract from a conference paper she recently gave…Read more The Illustration Process
10 gift ideas for folklore & fairy tale lovers
Inspired by Vasilisa the Wise and Other Tales of Brave Young Women, we've trawled the Internet to seek out a range of gifts for the folklore and fairy tale lover in your life. From the stunning to the quirky, we're sure there's at least one thing here that will thrill its recipient. 1. Baba Yaga…Read more 10 gift ideas for folklore & fairy tale lovers
“Creatures, born of imagination…”
When Serenity Press first saw Lorena Carrington's photographic art, they knew the magic was in the air - the kind of magic needed to create a fusion of art and story. Readers are in for a treat when they get their hands on Vasilisa the Wise and Other Tales of Brave Young Women. Lorena uses…Read more “Creatures, born of imagination…”
Long Lost Fairy Tales 