Review of Katya‘s Sunflowers

[Brendan Donaghy]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Katya‘s Sunflowers" by Julie G Fox.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Katya’s Sunflowers is a short children’s book written by Julie G. Fox and illustrated by Barbara Owczarek. It takes the form of a conversation between an old man and his granddaughter. We never learn their names. The only names used in the story are those of Katya and her great-granddaughter, also called Katya. The grandfather tells of his experience as a young boy in Ukraine. On a beautiful summer’s day, he plays with his brother and their two friends. They swim in the river and collect sunflower seeds to eat. It is a perfect day, their last day of childhood innocence.

Returning to their village, they learn that the Nazis have rounded up all the Jewish families; the grandfather learns that his family are amongst those taken. His life and the life of his brother are saved by Katya, the mother of his two friends. Many years later, the grandfather is living in Israel. Ukraine is invaded again, this time by the Russians. Although Katya has long since died, the grandfather and his brother are able to help her descendants, including her great-granddaughter, escape to Poland. Life has come full circle.

This is a beautiful book in lots of different ways. Visually, it is striking. Barbara Owczarek’s illustrations are rich in colour and meaning. The story itself is captivating. It ends on an uplifting note. That’s always a positive way to finish any story regardless of the genre. It includes serious themes that make this a special kind of children’s book. The themes are interwoven in a way that will make children ask questions without distressing them. It manages to be educational without being didactic. It is a book that, in many ways, treats children like adult readers. It takes a good writer to do that successfully and, in my opinion, this author has done just that.

There isn’t anything I found to dislike in this book. It has been professionally edited, and I found only a couple of minor errors.

I am happy to award this book four out of four stars. I recommend it to anyone wanting a book they can read with, and explain to, a young child. Older children will enjoy reading this book for themselves. The book deals with serious themes, but it does so in such a way that it remains a suitable read for all ages. If you’re looking for reading material for a young child, this one should be on your list.

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Katya‘s Sunflowers
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[Ubong Emmanuel]

This is a section of peom is give to children to read and bring the excitement out of child and make them happy about their life

[Uwe Neufeld]

Very nice cover, very nice title too. The story is a bid complicated. Think children will like it, though.

[NightHeron]

This sounds like a good book to share with kids, especially those who know “something” is happening in Ukraine. Sometimes it helps to have a story like this to help work through heavy topics.