Vasilisa the Brave: book club questions by chapter

🦉 Vasilisa the Brave · meeting 1 of 2

Read: Part One, “The Doll in the Pocket”; Part Two, “The Hut on Chicken Legs” (pages 1–6, about 6 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 6, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. What did Vasilisa's mother give her before she died?
   The story's answer: A tiny wooden doll
2. Why did the stepmother send Vasilisa to Baba Yaga's hut?
   The story's answer: She hoped Vasilisa would not come back
3. Who have we met so far, and what does each of them want?
   Listen for: Make a list together on the board; keep it for next time and add to it.
4. The part we just read is called "The Hut on Chicken Legs". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
5. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 Vasilisa the Brave · meeting 2 of 2

Read: Part Three, “Three Impossible Days”; Part Four, “The Finest Linen” (pages 7–13, about 7 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 13, the end of the story.

1. Who were the three horsemen?
   The story's answer: Morning, sun and night
2. Why did Vasilisa decide not to ask about the invisible hands?
   The story's answer: She sensed that some questions are dangerous to ask
3. What does Vasilisa's story suggest about kindness and courage?
   The story's answer: Being kind and brave, with help from those who love you, can carry you through
4. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
5. The part we just read is called "The Finest Linen". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
6. Now that you know the ending, was it the ending you expected?
   Listen for: Ask what in the earlier parts pointed to it, or pointed the other way.

About the whole story

1. What does this story tell you about the place it comes from?
   Listen for: Food, weather, animals, how people live: anything the story shows.
2. Does it remind you of another story you know?
   Listen for: Many folk tales have cousins in other countries.
3. Who was the cleverest person in the story, and how did they show it?
   Listen for: Ask for the moment.
4. Who would you give this story to, and why them?
   Listen for: A reader who can name the right person has understood what the story is like.
5. If you could ask the person who first told this story one question, what would it be?
   Listen for: Collect the questions; some have answers on the story's page in the library.