Babushka - Hardcover

Sandra Ann Horn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1841483532 ISBN 13: 9781841483535

Publisher: Barefoot Books, 2002

Synopsis

Babushka lives on her own in a cottage where everything is as neat as a pin. But she is so busy cleaning and polishing that she hardly notices the miraculous events going on around her. Then a mysterious dream leads her to put her daily worries aside and venture out to find a special baby. On her journey, she learns that the more you give away in love, the more you will receive. Readers of all ages and beliefs will be charmed and captivated by this poignant Russian folk tale. Children young and old will adore Sophie Fatus's beautiful folk-art illustrations of flowy ethereal angels, friendly wide-eyed characters wearing warm colorful shawls and quirky animals along Babushka's path.

About this title

About the Author:

Sandra Ann Horn was a clinical psychologist until 1992, when she moved to Southampton University to set up and run the Master of Science programme in Health Psychology. She also spends her time writing for children and has had a number of books published with various companies. Babushka is her first book with Barefoot Books. Sophie Fatus is a full-time illustrator and sculptress, who studied at the prestigious Academy of Fine Art in Paris. Her brightly coloured illustrations and quirky style are world-renowned and have graced the pages of several other Barefoot Books including The Story Tree (2001), The Barefoot Book of Monsters! (2003), Riddle me This! (2003), My Daddy is Pretzel (2004) and Farmyard Jamboree (2005). Sophie lives in Florence.

From Booklist:

K-Gr. 3. Babushka is too busy to accompany the three kings on their way to see the Christ child. Later an angel appears in her dream, singing about "a baby born in a stable, with nothing but a swaddling cloth to wrap him in." Troubled by the image, Babushka sets out to find the child, bringing a warm shawl and other presents. Along the way, she meets several people in need and generously gives away her gifts. Imagine her surprise when she reaches the stable and sees the baby wrapped in her shawl with the other presents nearby. Mary's simple explanation is the key to the story: "Everything you gave with love, you gave to my son, also." This is a departure from the traditional Russian folktale, in which Babushka becomes a Santa Claus-like figure, never finding the baby she seeks but leaving presents for other children. Fatus' acrylic illustrations burst with interesting details, patterns, and textures. Their figures resemble miniature dolls with such exaggerated features as heavily lashed almond eyes set in perfectly round heads. A lovely Christmas story with a wonderful message about the joys of selfless giving. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Barefoot Books
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1841483532
• ISBN 13: 9781841483535
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Sophie Fatus