Based on a true story of the author's mother's work sending humanitarian supplies to post-WWII Holland as a girl, a lovely story of making a difference. I especially liked that the giving was reciprocal, not one-sided.

After World War II the town of Olst, Holland lives Katje. The people of Olst are struggling to survive with little food or resources left after the war. Then a box from America arives, sent by the Children's Society and slowly the town of Olst comes alive. Katje shares the gifts of chocolate, sugar, socks, clothes, and more with her family, friends, and town. In the end they send the American girl who sent the box their own care package. Holland Tulips. ( )

This book is set after WWII, when Holland, and much of Europe, was suffering through lack of food, clothing, resources. Katje receives a box of supplies from America (wool socks, soap, and a chocolate bar) and she shares it with the town. She writes back to say thanks and tell Rosie, who helped send the package with The Children's Aid Society, that she shared her chocolate bar but there wasn't enough for everyone. A pen-pal correspondence ensues, with bigger and bigger packages being sent for Katje to share.
Author's note about the real-life situation in the back. Sugar-coated history (people were starving and freezing after the war-some even were forced to eat tulip bulbs to survive), ( )

In this book Katje starts recieving packages in Holland from the US after her home town is affected by World War II. These boxes start of simply with the first one having a pair of socks, some chocolate, and soap. This sets of a friendship between Katje and Rosie that leads to clothing and food being provided for Katje's town during the worst winter anyone can remember. This causes hope and friendship to bloom like the Spring Tulips. This book shows how a simple gesture of kindness can change the life of someone you don't even know yet. ( )

Boxes for Katje written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen is a remarkable historical fiction book for young readers. It is a story told based on real life events in 1945. The story took place in the town of Olst in Holland right after World War II. Told in the third person point of view, the key theme of this picture book is generosity. Readers get to learn about sharing and about a historical war as the story is about a little dutch girl named Katje who writes a letter to an American friend after the War to thank her for a care package she received. After that first letter, Katje receives another box even bigger than the one before.

Although the book is intended for young children age 8-13, it is in my opinion that this very touching story can be for any audience. Because of the setting and I believe children and adults can relate to the book because the struggles faced then are some of the same struggles seen in now in America. Care packages are out together and sent all over the world during the COVID19 pandemic. I give this book a 4 star rating happily responded. ( )