Echoes from the Square [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Wellburn (Author), Deryk Houston (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

"Here is a book that will introduce children to the moving story of Vedran Smailovic, a real, present-day hero whose spirit I greatly admire. His spontaneous act of courage can be an inspiration to us all. It shows that an individual can make a difference in this world." -- Yo-Yo Ma Inspired by the actions of Sarajevo cellist Vedran Smailovic during the Bosnian War, this book tells the fictional story of a young boy whose life is shattered by war and how he learns to cope again when he witnesses a courageous musician's actions during a seige. Vedran Smailovic played his cello for 22 days to honor the 22 people who had been killed, while queing for bread, in a devastating bomb blast in Sarajevo in 1999. His actions sent a clear message to the world that the insanity of war must stop.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Here is a book that will introduce children to the moving story of Vedran Smailovic, a real present-day hero whose spirit I greatly admire. His spontaneous act of courage can be an inspiration to us all. It shows that an individual can make a difference in this world."

Yo-Yo Ma. -- Publisher Comments

About the Author

Elizabeth Wellburn and Deryk Houston live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, with their two children, Amy and Samuel.

Elizabeth Wellburn is an educational researcher and has worked in the area of technology and distance education for over ten years.

Deryk Houston's art has been displayed in many solo and group exhibtions in Canada and the United States. In 1988, he was invited to represent the city of Vancouver in a solo exhibtion in the (former) Soviet Union. Houston often donates his work to support charitable organizations in British Columbia.

Having first heard about Vedran Smailovic on the internet, Wellburn and Houston had the pleasure of meeting him in London, England, where they worked together on this book.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Rubicon Publishing (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0921156995
• ISBN-13: 978-0921156994
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,094,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About finding meaning and perseverance in dark times, June 12, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Echoes from the Square (Hardcover)

Authored by Elizabeth Wellburn, Echoes From The Square is a heart-touching picture book about a real-life heroic figure who dared to place his life on the line to inspire peace. On a street in Sarajevo, marked by bombs, amid sniper bullets and exploding shells, Vedran Smailovic played his cello for 22 days in remembrance of 22 victims of a terrible bomb blast. His musical call for peace inspired this compelling picture book of a fictional boy whose life is all but destroyed by war violence, yet who feels hope encountering the cellist on the street. Vivid, colorful paintings by Deryk Houston visually bring this engaging and thoughtful story about finding meaning and perseverance in dark times to life.