STEFANIA’S DANCING SLIPPERS
Jennifer Beck and Lindy Fisher
Scholastic $27
It is some while since I have held such a truly beautiful children’s book as this one.
Jennifer Beck is one of New Zealand’s most senior and accomplished writers of books for young children with such gems as “nobody’s dog”, “The Christmas Caravan” and “The Bantam & the Soldier” and many others to her credit.
Lindy Fisher has come to the scene more recently but has quickly established her reputation as one of our finest children’s book illustrators. Together they are a formidable team and Scholastic have done them proud with this simply stunning new hardback book employing the very highest of production standards. It is a knockout.
Here is the explanatory note from the author and illsutrator that appears at the end of the book:
The Polish Children of Pahiatua
On 1 November 1944, over 700 Polish refugee children and their caregivers were welcomed to New Zealand. These were the survivors of an epic wartime journey that had begun years before, on the far side of the world.
Unlike most of the children who greeted them, they had known deportation, loss, starvation and homelessness. They carried a few possessions in a bundle under their arms. Any personal links with their past were treasured.
Over sixty years later, when we read and listened to the stories of some of these people, we were moved by the hardship they had endured, and the ways in which they had found the strength to survive. We marvelled at the faith, beauty and hope that sustain humanity in difficult times. As a result, we wanted to share their story so that it could be understood by children today.
Although set against the background of war, this is a story of courage, love, and the strength of family ties. These themes are extended in the concepts and details of the paintings.
Stefania is a fictional character who represents some of those children who brought the face of war to New Zealand that day. Her dancing slippers are a fragile symbol of positive qualities which endure despite the harshness of war.
Jennifer Beck and Lindy Fisher
Scholastic $27
It is some while since I have held such a truly beautiful children’s book as this one.
Jennifer Beck is one of New Zealand’s most senior and accomplished writers of books for young children with such gems as “nobody’s dog”, “The Christmas Caravan” and “The Bantam & the Soldier” and many others to her credit.
Lindy Fisher has come to the scene more recently but has quickly established her reputation as one of our finest children’s book illustrators. Together they are a formidable team and Scholastic have done them proud with this simply stunning new hardback book employing the very highest of production standards. It is a knockout.
Here is the explanatory note from the author and illsutrator that appears at the end of the book:
The Polish Children of Pahiatua
On 1 November 1944, over 700 Polish refugee children and their caregivers were welcomed to New Zealand. These were the survivors of an epic wartime journey that had begun years before, on the far side of the world.
Unlike most of the children who greeted them, they had known deportation, loss, starvation and homelessness. They carried a few possessions in a bundle under their arms. Any personal links with their past were treasured.
Over sixty years later, when we read and listened to the stories of some of these people, we were moved by the hardship they had endured, and the ways in which they had found the strength to survive. We marvelled at the faith, beauty and hope that sustain humanity in difficult times. As a result, we wanted to share their story so that it could be understood by children today.
Although set against the background of war, this is a story of courage, love, and the strength of family ties. These themes are extended in the concepts and details of the paintings.
Stefania is a fictional character who represents some of those children who brought the face of war to New Zealand that day. Her dancing slippers are a fragile symbol of positive qualities which endure despite the harshness of war.
"Choose one thing that's most precious to you. That's all we can take."
So sad, and yet so inspirational, and eventually a happy ending; this is a moving story of courage and love that will appeal to everyone who reads it regardless of age.
Watch out for this title when the NZ Post Children's Book Awards shortlist is announced in 2008. Of the books published so far this year it is my pick for the Picture Book of the Year Award.
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