Summary
WWII has just ended and Katje's family, like all their Dutch neighbors, must go without things such as soap and sugar. Rosie, a girl from America, puts together a shoebox full of things to send to a child in Holland. Katje receives the box from Rosie and sends a thank-you letter. Rosie continues to send bigger and bigger boxes and the two girls exchange several letters. Katje wants to return the kindness so she sends Rosie tulip bulbs from Holland.APA Reference
Fleming, C. (2003). Boxes for Katje. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.Impressions
A delightful story of kindness! Fleming tells the story of shoebox gifts, facilitated by the Children's Aid Society in the 1940's, through the eyes of children. The story unfolds, in part, through letters between Katje and Rosie which adds interest and keeps the emphasis on a child's point of view. You get a sense of how much the Dutch people were missing basic necessities by their excitement over the boxes that keep arriving. The focus of the story is on the people and their needs, as well as the kindness of others. The illustrations are colorful and lively, and portray a feeling of happiness. My concern is that the book may be above level for some of the intended audience (K-3). Although kindergartners and 1st graders would enjoy the story, I think they would need a lot of additional information in order to fully understand and appreciate the story such as information about WWII and events leading up to the time the book takes place, as well as a description of the setting (time and place in the world).Professional Review
Katje and her family struggle to make due with substitutions for essentials like soap and sugar in Holland, post-WWII. One day, Postman Kleinhoonte unexpectedly delivers a small box from America addressed to Katje; it contains a bar of soap, a pair of wool socks, and some chocolate. A letter from Rosie is also in the box expressing her wish that “these gifts brighten your day.” A pen-pal exchange begins with Katje’s thank-you letter and gradually develops into an American small-town effort to donate basics to their European counterpart over the course of a year. Katje’s neighbors reciprocate with a box of tulip bulbs after conditions improve in the war-torn country. Fleming reveals Katje’s character of leadership, resolve, and gratitude through her written communiqués and Rosie’s initiative and inspiration through her active promotion of the charitable effort. Dressen-McQueen captures the flavor and essence of Fleming’s 1945 family experience through her detailed mixed-media paintings delineating fabric patterns, hairdos, emotions, and the general lifestyle of both communities. As heartwarming and uplifting as a bouquet of tulips. (Picture book. 4-7)
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