Song For Lena, A [Hardcover]

Hilary Horder Hippely (Author), Leslie Baker (Illustrator)

Book Description

Lena discovers the reason for the special song her grandmother hums each time she makes apple strudel and, after learning its origin, Lena finds it appropriate that the song should be carried on in time through her.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?As Lena helps her grandmother make apple strudel, the woman tells her a story about her childhood in Hungary. One day, she and a friend are approached by a wandering beggar. They race to the house, frightened, but Mother decides that the man should have some of their just-made strudel. He repays their kindness by playing sweet, sad music on his violin. Each year he returns, has his piece of strudel, and plays, until finally one season the harvest comes, but the beggar does not. Father says that "Perhaps our friend isn't hungry anymore." He tells the children to listen closely, and they hear the wanderer's music in the sounds of the country night. Comparisons with Patricia Polacco's Thunder Cake (Philomel, 1990) are bound to occur. Similarities include the grandmother from the old country, the child who helps prepare a treat, the sharing of food in the spirit of kindness, and the recipe on the last page. Even the watercolor-and-pencil illustrations have a similar, though softer, look. But with its message of continuity and love, Hippely's sweet story stands on its own.?Ruth Semrau, formerly at Lovejoy School, Allen, TX
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-7. As Lena's grandmother makes strudel, she tells Lena a story about when she was a little girl in Hungary helping her mama bake. An old fellow in tattered clothes asks for a piece of bread, but Mama can't give bread when there is fresh strudel in the house. The man gratefully accepts and, to the family's surprise, repays them--with a song from his violin. Each year he comes back, until one year he doesn't, and Papa tells his girls that perhaps the man is no longer hungry, and if they listen carefully, they might still hear his song. The story, hauntingly sweet, is matched by the dreamy watercolors in autumnal shades. However, the narrative frame features a grandmother who looks more like Lena's great-grandmother. White-haired, stooped, this grandmother remembers a childhood where people wear costumes that seem to be from the turn of the century. This quibble aside, children will enjoy the story's warmth. A recipe for strudel is appended. Ilene Cooper

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1 edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689807635
• ISBN-13: 978-0689807633
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,988,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The joy of giving! The joy of family!, October 24, 2001

By 

T. Avallone (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Song For Lena, A (Hardcover)

What a treasure this book is. It is a gentle loving story about a grandmother who teaches her granddaughter about the kind of giving that brings dignity to the recipient and joy to the giver. It is the tale of a yearly tradition of celebrating the apple harvest by making strudel which expands to include a wanderer. In the end, this small kindness touches a family deeply and stands as an example from which young and old can learn. The watercolor illustrations are lovely and tender. This book is always a delight but especially as an antidote to the holiday 'gimmees.'

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific book and must have!, August 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Song For Lena, A (Hardcover)

This book is inspiring, magical, sensitive and a engaging for all children (and adults!). It challenges us to think about how the most unexpected people can impact our lives. It's a must have for every library, at home or at school.