THREADS: Zlata's Ukrainian Shirt
(FSG/Macmillan)
STARRED REVIEW! KIRKUS REVIEW:
Drawing inspiration from the experiences of her grandparents, Maslo offers a window into the Ukrainian spirit.
It’s 1932, and Communists are going door to door collecting extra taxes and grain. Zlata’s mama starts hiding food, and Papa buries bags of grain. On Zlata’s eighth birthday, her best friend and neighbor, Yeva, and Yeva’s parents come over to celebrate. Zlata wears the blouse her mother made with colors traditional used in Ukrainian embroidery: red for love, black for sadness. The conversation between the girls reveals their parents’ opposing political views. When Yeva’s father informs on Zlata’s family, their food and goods are confiscated, including the birthday blouse. Maslo effectively uses dialogue, a first-person narrative with plenty of helpful historical context, and a controlled palette to create a meaningful, engaging tale. Golden wheat is a recurring image, at first suggesting sustenance, then forbidden food. With spring, wheat symbolizes hope. A stark white page—with a corner of shadow—reveals that Zlata’s papa has been taken. Brown sets the mood for hunger. The girls mend their broken relationship when Yeva explains that her father was taken, too, but that he had rescued the blouse. Reflecting on the importance of holding on to what “made us Ukrainian—our language, our beliefs, our traditions,” the protagonist notes: “Beauty made life bearable.”
A poignant yet accessible entry into Ukraine’s ongoing suffering—and survival. (author’s note, bibliography) (Picture book. 5-8)
It’s 1932, and Communists are going door to door collecting extra taxes and grain. Zlata’s mama starts hiding food, and Papa buries bags of grain. On Zlata’s eighth birthday, her best friend and neighbor, Yeva, and Yeva’s parents come over to celebrate. Zlata wears the blouse her mother made with colors traditional used in Ukrainian embroidery: red for love, black for sadness. The conversation between the girls reveals their parents’ opposing political views. When Yeva’s father informs on Zlata’s family, their food and goods are confiscated, including the birthday blouse. Maslo effectively uses dialogue, a first-person narrative with plenty of helpful historical context, and a controlled palette to create a meaningful, engaging tale. Golden wheat is a recurring image, at first suggesting sustenance, then forbidden food. With spring, wheat symbolizes hope. A stark white page—with a corner of shadow—reveals that Zlata’s papa has been taken. Brown sets the mood for hunger. The girls mend their broken relationship when Yeva explains that her father was taken, too, but that he had rescued the blouse. Reflecting on the importance of holding on to what “made us Ukrainian—our language, our beliefs, our traditions,” the protagonist notes: “Beauty made life bearable.”
A poignant yet accessible entry into Ukraine’s ongoing suffering—and survival. (author’s note, bibliography) (Picture book. 5-8)
Through the Wardrobe: How C. S. Lewis Created Narnia
2020 / Picture Book Biography / Ages 4+ / Published by Balzer + Bray / HarperCollins
As a child, Clive Staples Lewis imagined many things...
heroic animals
and knights in armor
and a faraway land called Boxen.
He even thought of a new name for himself - at four years old, he decided he was more of a Jack.
As he grew up, though, Jack found that the real world was not as just as the one in his imagination. No magic could heal the sick or stop a war, and a bully's words could pierce as sharply as a sword. So Jack withdrew into books and eventually became a well-known author for adults.
But he never forgot the epic tales of his boyhood, and one day a young girl's question about an old family wardrobe inspired him to write a children's story about a world hidden beyond its fur coats...a world of fauns and queens and a lion named Aslan. A world of battles between good and evil, where people learned courage and love and forgiveness. A magical realm called Narnia.
heroic animals
and knights in armor
and a faraway land called Boxen.
He even thought of a new name for himself - at four years old, he decided he was more of a Jack.
As he grew up, though, Jack found that the real world was not as just as the one in his imagination. No magic could heal the sick or stop a war, and a bully's words could pierce as sharply as a sword. So Jack withdrew into books and eventually became a well-known author for adults.
But he never forgot the epic tales of his boyhood, and one day a young girl's question about an old family wardrobe inspired him to write a children's story about a world hidden beyond its fur coats...a world of fauns and queens and a lion named Aslan. A world of battles between good and evil, where people learned courage and love and forgiveness. A magical realm called Narnia.
Buy Through the Wardrobe on Amazon, or contact your local bookstore!
Free as a Bird: The Story of Malala
2018 / Picture Book Biography / Ages 4+ / Published by Balzer + Bray / HarperCollins
When Malala Yousafzai was born, her father looked into her eyes and knew she could do anything.
In Pakistan, some people believed girls should not be educated. But Malala and her father were not afraid. She secretly went to school and spoke up for education in her country.
And even though an enemy tried to silence her powerful voice, she would not keep quiet. Malala traveled around the world to speak about the right to education and equality of opportunity for every person. She would should so that those without a voice could be heard. So everyone could be free as a bird.
In Pakistan, some people believed girls should not be educated. But Malala and her father were not afraid. She secretly went to school and spoke up for education in her country.
And even though an enemy tried to silence her powerful voice, she would not keep quiet. Malala traveled around the world to speak about the right to education and equality of opportunity for every person. She would should so that those without a voice could be heard. So everyone could be free as a bird.
Buy Free as a Bird on Amazon, or contact your local bookstore!
