Synopses & Reviews
When winter comes early one year, Katrusya stumbles upon a terrible discovery hundreds of golden birds buried in the snow. She begs her fellow villagers to help save the birds, and one by one, the little creatures are gathered into hats and gloves, coats and baskets, until they are all brought safely inside. But toward winter's end, Katrusya knows that the time has come to say goodbye, and the birds are freed. That spring, as Katrusya makes her way to church on Easter Sunday, she finds something wonderful hidden in the grass a beautifully decorated egg. And there's another and another! The birds' gift to their rescuers marks the beginning of the Ukrainian tradition of pysanky and provides a reminder of God's endless love for all creatures.
Review
"Filled with warmth, the story is illustrated with charming folk-art paintings that are suffused with feelings of cheer and good will." School Library Journal
Review
"This atmospheric folktale...will interest anyone who has ever admired Ukrainian decorated Easter eggs, or pysanky, as they are identified here." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Watercolor paintings accurately depict the clothing and details of Ukrainian life, with colorful borders on many pages reminiscent of the motifs employed in pysanky." Children's Literature