Villagers take in a flock of golden birds nearly frozen by an early snow and are rewarded with beautifully decorated eggs the next spring.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This atmospheric folktale by the author and illustrator of The Magic Dreidels will interest anyone who has ever admired Ukrainian decorated Easter eggs, or pysanky, as they are identified here. The story is uncomplicated: when winter arrives early and with severe storms, Katrusya inspires the whole village to rescue the hundreds upon hundreds of tiny birds trapped in the snow. Later, when spring comes, the birds show their gratitude by leaving the world's first pysanky. There's a priest drawing lessons from the birds' behavior and there are references to Easter, but Kimmel reserves the full force of his storytelling for folkloric rather than religious elements. He smoothly integrates cultural details, using foreign terms and letting the context serve as translationAthe Ukrainian setting is preserved, but readers can experience it comfortably and confidently. Krenina is at her best with her judicious use of folk motifs. These show up as frames for her often loosely defined compositions and, appropriately, on the characters' clothing (Katrusya's woven scarf and the embroidery on the women's black vests are especially beautiful). She exercises restraint, allowing only so many patterned objects per painting, and as a result, the final spread, showing more than a dozen pysanka, becomes climactic in its intricacies and embellishments. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3-This folktale describes the origin of pysanky, the process of decorating Easter eggs with intricate, colorful patterns. Katrusya and her grandfather are walking in freshly fallen snow when they discover a flock of tiny golden birds that has been overcome by the sudden cold. They rescue as many as possible from the drifts and stuff them inside their coats, then hurry back to the village for assistance. Soon everyone rushes out to help, and the priest opens the church to shelter the animals and preaches to his congregation that with every chirp the birds worship God with perfect faith. Shortly before spring arrives, the feathered creatures clamor to be released, saddening the villagers, who have grown to love them. Easter comes, and Katrusya and the other children find gorgeous, brilliantly colored eggs in the grass. When the people wonder at their source, the priest points to the golden birds, now perched above, and explains that these eggs are their Easter gifts. As each one is different and precious, he says, so is every living creature in God's eyes. Filled with warmth, the story is illustrated with charming folk-art paintings that are suffused with feelings of cheer and good will. The villagers have expressive round faces and wear colorful embroidered clothing. Crisp snowscapes polka-dotted with flakes give way to green spring meadows. The final double-page spread shows a panoply of elegant pysanky eggs.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
Eric A. Kimmel is well known for the tales he has retold from around the world. Some of his best-known titles are "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins" (a Caldecott Honor book), "Gershon's Monster", "Anansi and the Talking Melon", and "The Runaway Tortilla". A former professor of children's literature, he lives in Portland, Oregon.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully illustrated delightful Easter folk tale.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Birds' Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story (Hardcover)
The Birds' Gift is a wonderful folk tale of the Easter Season. The Ukrainian villagers help the birds trapped over the winter. The birds repay the kindness by leaving behind beautiful Easter Eggs when they go on their own in the spring. The author tells the story in a lovely gentle manner. The illustrations are delightful, especially the last two pages with intricately designed Ukrainian Easter eggs. Highly recommended.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a reader from New Jersey,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Birds' Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story (Hardcover)
I have always been interested in the Ukrainian art of pysanky and found this book touching. Anyone interested in seeing fine examples of Ukrainian Pysanky should visit the pysanky showcase website at www.pysankyshowcase.com.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A touching story,
By
This review is from: The Birds' Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story (Hardcover)
A very good book, with a story that you will want to re-read each Easter. It's a favorite in our home!
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