The House with Chicken Legs

What do our readers think of The House with Chicken Legs? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy the unusual magic, adventurous plot and memorable characters, and many find the story moving as well as exciting. Some children think it takes a while to get started or feels sad and spooky in places, but they often find it becomes more gripping as Marinka’s journey continues.

What does the Pageticker team say about The House with Chicken Legs?

The House With Chicken Legs gives Baba Yaga’s folklore a warm, wildly inventive twist, complete with a house that can wander off on its chicken legs. Marinka’s longing for friendship and freedom feels wonderfully real, whilst the story handles grief, belonging and the mysteries of life and death with care. It is an engrossing choice for confident readers aged around 10+.

Genres

What is The House with Chicken Legs about?

Twelve-year-old Marinka dreams of a normal life, but her house has chicken legs and moves without warning. Living with her grandmother, Baba Yaga, who guides spirits to the afterlife, Marinka is destined to become a Yaga herself. Longing for friendship and stability, she defies her fate, leading to her grandmother's mysterious disappearance. Determined to find her, Marinka embarks on a perilous journey, confronting the boundaries between life and death, and discovering the true meaning of destiny and belonging.

About the author

Sophie Anderson is a much-loved author from the UK who writes magical adventure stories inspired by fairy tales and folklore. Her books, such as 'The House with Chicken Legs' and 'The Girl Who Speaks Bear', take readers on exciting journeys filled with wonder and friendship. Sophie loves exploring nature and sharing enchanting tales with children everywhere.

Discussion ideas around The House with Chicken Legs

Choosing your path: Marinka is expected to become a Yaga, but she dreams of a different life. How much should family tradition guide someone’s future, and when is it important to choose your own path?

Home and belonging: What makes somewhere feel like home for Marinka, and how do the house, Baba and her friendships each contribute to her sense of belonging?

Friendship and trust: Marinka wants friends but finds it difficult to know whom she can trust. What helps friendships grow, and what can make trust difficult to rebuild?

: If you owned the house with chicken legs, where would you ask it to take you?