Book Descriptions
for The Story Blanket by Ferida Wolff, Harriet May Savitz, and Elena Odriozola
From The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)
The St. Petersburg Library and the St. Petersburg section of IBBY are housed in this nineteenth-century building. It includes a “playing room for children from 3 to 8 years old,” and the rare book division houses approxi mately three thousand rare children’s books and the Pushkiniana collection. There is also a description of the Children’s American Corner.
Originally published by Andersen Press Great Britain, in 2008.
From the Publisher
A woman shares imaginative stories and gifts--all from her big, old story blanket--in this charmingly illustrated tale of community, friendship, and kindness.
Babba Zarrah lives in a tiny village in the snow-covered mountains, and the children love to visit her. They settle down on her big, old story blanket and listen to her imaginative tales.
One day, Babba Zarrah notices that Nikolai needs new socks, but she has no yarn. "Every question has an answer," Babba Zarrah tells herself, "I just have to find it." So after the children leave, she unravels part of her story blanket and knits him some nice warm socks.
As villagers start receiving mysterious gifts to keep them warm, the story blanket gets smaller and smaller until the children have nothing to sit on at story time. When the villagers finally discover Babba Zarrah's secret, they decide to give her a surprise of her own.
This heartwarming story from Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz is a wonderful read-aloud experience, rich with themes of community, sharing, generosity, and kindness--with a touch of upcycling. Paired with Elena Odriozola's folk-tinged illustrations, this tale is one to read while cuddled up with the ones you love.
Awards:
Best Children's Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education
Parents' Choice Silver Honor ―Parents' Choice Foundation