★ Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ Foreword Reviews, starred review

★ Booklist, starred review

★ The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

★ School Library Journal, starred review

 

Here is the inspiring story of the woman who kept alive the Ukrainian art of pysanky Easter eggs and brought it to America. Award-winning creator Sandra Neil Wallace pens a richly detailed biography for kids ages 7–10 who love arts and crafts.

 

As a new immigrant to America living in Minneapolis, Marie Procai felt homesick and alone—she missed her homeland, Ukraine. She took comfort in the ancient Ukrainian art of making pysanky, intricately decorated eggs for Easter, an art she learned from her grandmother and brought with her to America. Cradling the pysanka in her hands felt like holding a piece of her homeland and giving her Baba a hug.

 

Making pysanky made Marie feel a little more hopeful when the Russia’s Red Army invaded Ukraine and forbade anyone from speaking Ukrainian or practicing their traditions, pysanky included. It sustained her spirit when her son was off fighting in World War II, and again when she welcomed Ukrainian refugees into her home after the war. A hardworking entrepreneur, Marie founded the Ukrainian Gift Shop in Minneapolis to keep Ukrainian culture alive in America and share it with everyone.

 

The legend goes that as long as pysanky are decorated, there will be good in the world. Ukrainian-heritage author Sandra Neil Wallace shares this hopeful story of the woman who fought to preserve an essential part of Ukrainian culture.

 

“This warm-hearted nonfiction […] book celebrates the communities that immigrants have built in America and the traditions they bring with them that fill the lives of their new friends and neighbors with joyful color.”—Literary Hub