Easter Parade

Greenfield, Eloise

ISBN 10: 0786822716 ISBN 13: 9780786822713

Publisher: Hyperion, 1998

Synopsis

A moving Easter story set in 1943 shows how two cousins--Leanna in Chicago and Elizabeth in Washington, D.C.--celebrate the holiday and prepare for their Easter parades while a war rages overseas.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?Leanna, an African-American child living in 1943 Chicago with her parents and brother, is mystified by the term "parade." She daydreams about marching bands, but is told that this event will be different. As a special treat she is allowed to telephone her cousin in Washington, DC. Elizabeth's father is in the army, and she and her mother are worried because they have not heard from him in many weeks. As both families prepare their outfits for Easter Sunday, good news comes from Leanna's uncle, and the holiday becomes a time of pride and happiness for both children. Presented in brief chapters, the simple, touching story captures both the delight of the little girls in their Easter finery and the closeness of loving families in times of joy and fear. The contrasts between life during World War II, with its shortages, anxieties, and simple pleasures, and that of today should be of interest to perceptive young readers. The realistic, brown-toned illustrations in oval frames are reminiscent of the rotogravure newspaper pictures of that era. The final illustration, however, is in warm colors and shows Leanna's smiling family stepping out in their Easter outfits. The book's small size, elegant typeface, and unusual pictures enhance its visual appeal and suit the gentle story.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

In this holiday story set in 1943, Leanna, an African American girl in Chicago, and her older cousin Elizabeth in Washington, D.C., look forward to their respective Easter celebrations. The joys of black patent-leather shoes and hats with ribbons?de rigeur for the promenade to church?are mingled with the more serious concerns of tight finances and Elizabeth's father, who is off fighting in the Second World War. Greenfield's careful, emotionally astute writing convincingly portrays the girls' viewpoints and takes an original approach to the arrival of a long-awaited letter from the front: Elizabeth "sits across the room from her mother, facing away from her. She wants to be alone and try to hear her father's voice." Gilchrist, who previously collaborated with Greenfield on For the Love of the Game, contributes realistic, smudgy sepia drawings in the oval format of old photographs. The last one uses a burst of color to convey the excitement of the parade for little Leanna. This petite, Easter-egg-bright book would add a sweet-spirited and affecting touch to a holiday basket. All ages.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hyperion
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0786822716
• ISBN 13: 9780786822713
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 64