Annushka's Voyage [Hardcover]

Edith Tarbescu (Author), Lydia Dabcovich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 1998 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Set at the turn of the century, this sensitively told story, based on the true story of the author's own mother's journey to America, follows the journey of two young sisters as they travel from their small village in Russia to join their papa in New York. In her lively text, Edith Tarbescu communicates the hopes and fears of the two young immigrants. Expressive illustrations capture the many extraordinary moments of the sisters' transatlantic journey including their glorious reunion with Papa, made possible with the help of a pair of special Sabbath candlesticks.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-The immigrant experience is brought to life in this bittersweet historical sketch. Narrated by elder sister Annushka, the story tells of two Russian girls who leave their native home and their beloved grandparents to begin a new life in New York with their father. Their parting from their relatives is wrenching, yet their future is full of possibility. Readers witness the hardships so many immigrants endured in crowded conditions on board ships making the transatlantic crossing. Annushka and Tanya survive the difficult voyage only to be separated in the confusion of Ellis Island's notorious immigration processing center. The sisters find one another, and later their father, by holding up the candlesticks given to them by their grandmother on their departure. The pen-and-ink, acrylic, and colored-pencil illustrations depict both the pathos and the joy of this familiar saga. The varied page layouts and use of perspective are effective in portraying the wonder and challenges of the girls' odyssey. An afterword includes an antique photograph of the real sisters, the author's mother and aunt, along with a historical note regarding the persecution of Jews in Russia during the late 1800s. A moving tribute to the strength of family ties and the American experience.
Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-8. Based on the experience of Tarbescu's mother, this picture book is a simple, fictionalized, first-person account of the Jewish immigrant journey from Russia to America. Papa sends steamship tickets from New York City for Anya and her little sister, Tanya. Mama is dead, and Anya must care for her sister on the long journey. When they leave the Russian village, Grandma gives them each a family candlestick; on board the crowded ship, the sisters wave the candlesticks to find each other; when they get to Papa's apartment in the immigrant neighborhood, they light the candles for the Sabbath. Dabcovich's detailed pen-and-ink illustrations with acrylic and colored pencil show the leaving, the long journey over in the hold, the arrival, the terrifying medical inspections on Ellis Island, and the warmth of their reunion with their dad. Add this to all the immigration stories that will get younger readers interested in their own family stories. Hazel Rochman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (September 21, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039564366X
• ISBN-13: 978-0395643662
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,414,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Applause for Annushka!, September 24, 2000

By 

Lynne Remick - See all my reviews

This review is from: Annushka's Voyage (Hardcover)

ANNUSHKA'S VOYAGE A Children's Picture Book, Ages 4 - 8 Written by Edith Tarbescu Illustrated by Lydia Dabcovich Clarion Books, 1998 ISBN No. 0-395-64366-X, 32 Pages, $15.00

Anya (Annushka) and her little sister Tanya live with their grandparents in Russia. Each day, they work with their grandparents on the farm and await news from their father in America.

<i>Papa's letter was filled with funny pictures. There were drawingsof the doll factory where he worked and of the pigeons on his roof.

He wrote, "People say the streets here are paved with gold. I am saving money to buy steamship tickes for Anya and Tanya."

That's when Tanya started crying. "First Mama died and went to heaven. Then Papa left for America."

I put my arms around her and wiped away her tears. "He'll send for us soon, you'll see."

Early each morning, even before it was light, we worked around the farm. In the afternoons we helped Grandma make puddings and potato pancakes. Before bed we had Hebrew lessons with Grandpa. And we waited.

After more than a year, two steamship tickets came in the mail with a letter from Papa telling us he'd meet us in New York.</i>

Anya and Tanya soon travel from the old country in Russia toward the promise of a new life in America. Although they must leave their Grandparents and the life they know behind, they carry with them the clothes on their back, a pair of candlesticks---family heirlooms, a book of Russian fairy tales and a ragdoll.

Custom and tradition are woven through this wonderful tale of two young Jewish emigrants who go off to America alone, first crossing Europe on a train to Holland and then sailing toward "the land of opportunity" in a gigantic steamship. Through Annushka, her hopes and fears, this heartwarming story offers amazing insight into emigrant passage to America.

<i>"As soon as we got off the train, we were sent to a big building to be examined by doctors. There were so many people speaking so many different languages."

"We kept going down, down, down, until we reached the basement of the ship. It was dark and scary, especially with the engines running."</i>

In ANNUSHKA'S VOYAGE, author Edie Tarbescu effectively relates to children the important story of American Immigration in the late 1800s. Mixed with both adventure and history, Annushka's story is a delightful read. Lydia Dabcovich's expressive illustrations and the author's historical note make this story come alive. Although this book stands on its own, I must point out that it is an essential read for anyone (adults and children, alike) who is fortunate enough to learn about or visit the Statue of Liberty and/or pass through the Ellis Island gates. Writers Moon reViews ([e-mail]) P.O. Box 182, Nesconset, NY 11767-0182 Copyright (c) 2000 Lynne Remick ([e-mail]) Reprinted with permission from Lynne Remick =============================================

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A young woman of character, April 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Annushka's Voyage (Hardcover)

I've enjoyed reading this warm story many times to students. It reflects family values of love, trust, faith (including religious faith) and it also shows girls a role model of sensitivity, caring, and true female strength. In these days of Barbie dolls and warrior princeses, girls need this experience with a young woman who has realistic strength and love.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars so insightful..., December 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Annushka's Voyage (Hardcover)

I never understood my grandmother's bond with the "girls" she'd come over on the boat with before. I'd been on a boat before. I'd been to Europe before. But the world was a lot smaller when I did it. A lot smaller. I just can't (or couldn't) imagine going off like that with no idea what kind of world you were going to walk into. No idea of the customs one would have to assimilate. No idea how to get home, or even if it would be a surviveable journey. Thank you for the insight.