With children's poetry displayed in Russian and English on the same page, "A Great Time" is an enchanting, poetic foray into a world of imagination in which children are taught timeless truths by bugs, animals, plants, and the sun. These fun-filled, character-building messages spark hope and joy in children, while helping them better understand how precious life is and the importance of friendships, showing courtesy, and sharing with others. The illustrations and poetry richly capture the heart of these simple lessons that are so important to developing in a child a deep sense of appreciation and respect for nature and for each other. Storytelling, circus, theater, and poetry were important cultural pillars of the Russian society into which Masha Shurin was born. Having lived and worked under repressive Soviet control for decades, she knows how influential these media can be in helping people to believe in, and hope for, a better world. "A Great Time" is the first of a four-book series by Shurin created to assist Russian-American parents with helping their children learn about the culture of the Russian motherland. It will be especially useful for non-Russian Americans in exposing young ones to a multicultural experience that has such a rich and imaginative tradition in story-telling.
