Fleming, Candace, and Stacey Dressen-McQueen. Boxes for Katje. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003. Print.
Summary
In 1945, as Europeans begin to deal with the devastation left by World War II, Katje, a girl from the Dutch town of Olst, receives a package with soap, new socks, a chocolate bar, and a note from Rosie Johnson in Mayfield, Illinois. Rosie sent the package through the Children's Aid Society, which was working to help children in Europe. When Katje writes Rosie back, it begins a correspondence that changes both Olst and Mayfield in exponential ways.
My Impressions
I've failed three times to get through this story without crying. It's a brief and beautiful story about the power of compassion and friendship. The illustrations perfectly bring the time and places to life. This historical fiction picture book (inspired by a true story from the author's mother) would be perfect for a variety of classroom activities, from an elementary lesson on charity to a high-school history classroom.
What Other Reviewers Said
Amidst the deprivations of life in post-WWII Holland, young Katje receives a care package from an American girl. Katje writes a thank-you note to Rosie, who, when she hears about Katje's generosity with the handful of gifts, begins recruiting friends and neighbors to help send bigger and bigger packages to Katje, who shares the bounty with her friends and neighbors. Fleming has carefully shaped her story so that Katje's heartfelt letters unintentionally inspire further gifts from Rosie (a clothing drive at Rosie's church results from Katje's innocent mention of how the box of food made everyone so happy they forgot about the holes in their shoes). The opening endpapers show Rosie's Indiana neighborhood in 1945; closing endpapers feature the same scene two years later, each yard overflowing with color--from the tulip bulbs Katje's community sends to express their gratitude. First-time illustrator Dressen-McQueen keeps the sentimentality of the story at bay with artwork that matter-of-factly presents Katje's poverty and Rosie's relative prosperity while, like the text, emphasizing their similarities: the secure warmth each experiences at home and their desire to help others. Reflecting the story's theme about friendship's ability to bridge long distances, the multimedia illustrations often overlay a scene from Katje's hometown with one of the girls' handwritten letters and a snapshot-like picture of Rosie's home. An author's note provides further information on the actual events that inspired Fleming's story. (1)
K-5 This well-written story set in post-World War II Holland is based on events that really happened. Charities such as the Children’s Aid Society encouraged American students to send boxes of needed items to Europe to offset the devastation left by the war. In this story, Katje, a young girl in Olst, Holland, is one of the lucky recipients. Rosie of Mayfield, Indiana, sends a box filled with a cake of soap, wool socks, and chocolate to her. Katje, in appreciation, writes a letter of thanks. This leads to the beginning of a correspondence, which in turn eventually triggers an outpouring of help from the people of Mayfield. Katje and her friends and family survive the harsh winter in large part due to the kindness of Rosie and the Mayfield community. The warm-colored pencil and oil pastel pictures complement the story reflecting the architecture, dress, and emotion beautifully. The story itself would be an excellent starting point for a discussion on the importance of giving and sharing. It shows that one person truly can make a difference. This is also a good book to read for Thanksgiving or even as a reminder during the study of war of the toll war takes on people in general. Recommended. - Bridget Slayden, Educational Reviewer, Fordland, Missouri (2)
Suggested Activities
Have children think of examples of "Katjes" today, both around the world as well in their own hometowns. With the holidays fast approaching, now is the perfect time to implement a class-, school- or library-wide food and clothing drive for a local homeless shelter or community outreach.
Other Citations
(1) Brabander, Jennifer M. "Boxes for Katje." Horn Book Magazine 79.5 (2003): 596. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010.
(2) Fleming, Candace. "Boxes for Katje (Book)." Library Media Connection 22.6 (2004): 56. Computer Source. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010.
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