Boxes for Katje

Boxes for Katje

by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen. 2003. New York: Farrar Straus and Giroux. (9780374309220).

Author Website: http://www.candacefleming.com/

Illustrator Website: none

Media: colored pencil, oil pastel and acrylic

Awards and Honors: ACCBC Choices 2004, Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award Nominee 2005, Booksense 76 Book, California Young Reader's Medal Nominee 2006-2007, Carol D. Reiser Book Award For Inspiring Community Service in Children, Children's Literature Choice 2004Great Lakes Book Award, Florida Reading Association Children's Book Award Nominee 2004-2005, Golden Sower Award Nominee of Nebraska Library Association 2005-2006, IRA Teachers' Choice, 2004, Junior Library Guild Selection, NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts 2004, NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book 2004, New York Public Library Best Book for Reading and Sharing 2003, Notable Book for a Global Society Award sponsored by IRA, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Medal Winner, Publisher's Weekly Best Book of 2003, Red Clover (Vermont) Children's Choice Award Nominee 2004-2005, Show Me Reader Award Nominee 2005-2006, Virginia Young Reader Award Nominee 2005-2006, Volunteer State Book Award Nominee 2005-2006, Washington D.C. Capitol Choices Book, 2003, Washington State Children's Choice Picture Book Award Nominee 2005

Annotation:

A simple, heartwarming book based on the true story of the author's own mother and her efforts to help out a small Dutch village after World War II.

Personal Reaction:

     After World War II, the families of Olst, Holland don't have much. There's no sugar or milk, food is scarce and people must patch their shoes and coats to stay warm during the winter. But one spring day, the postman arrives with a package from America - the "land of plenty". It's addressed to a young girl named Katje and inside is a bar of soap, a pair of wool socks, and a bar of chocolate- common things to Rosie, the American girl who sent them, but huge luxuries to Katje and her family. This simple exchange sets off a correspondence between Katje and Rosie and when the people in Rosie's hometown of Mayfield learn of Katje and her neighbors' needs, they all band together to help out the people of Olst. Stacey Dressen-McQueen's bright child-like illustrations accompany the sweet story. The townspeople's clothing is depicted in colorful historical detail and their expressions of joy lighten the mood. This is a heartwarming tale of how simple kindnesses can really make a difference in the world. The friendship between the families of Olst and Mayfield is touching and will help teach children the universal lesson of giving.