Traditional Ukrainian story with a lovely Easter message.

Summary: In this book it explains the meaning of God's creations. A girl named Katrusya and her grandfather went outside on a nice snow day in their village. They came upon a few golden birds that were trapped in the snow for the winter. She decided to save all the birds and keep them until winter was over. She ended up getting the whole village involved with it and they all kept the birds warm until it was time for them to go. When the birds left, they left a great gift when spring started. A gift of beautiful designed eggs.

Personal Reaction: This books explains the resurrection of Christ. Now that I see the designs of these eggs, I now see what they mean and were they come from.

Classroom Extensions: 1.) I would ask the class do they believe in God.
2.) Then I would ask the class would they have saved all the birds in the village like they did in the story.

Summary & Review:
This traditional fiction book reflect a commonly known Easter story among those of the Ukrainian heritage. The story talks of birds that are in danger due to an early winter. The villagers of the town take the birds inside of their homes to care for them. Ukrainian families have shared this story around the time when the holiday Easter is celebrated and teach young children the story's underlying messages. The author includes extra textural features of traditional elements of Ukrainian Easter so that readers may experience the culture as well. Great book to support multicultural learning. ( )

When the snows come early one year, trapping all the golden songbirds, Katrusya and her grandfather set out to rescue them, eventually enlisting the aid of their entire family, the villagers, and Father Roman, the local priest. Sheltered throughout the winter in home and church, the birds repay the people for their kindness the next spring, when they leave beautifully decorated eggs for the Easter holiday...

A folk-legend explaining the existence of pysanky - those gorgeous Ukrainian Easter eggs, with their ornate and colorful designs - The Bird's Gift is an engaging tale of generosity rewarded, as well as a fable about the rebirth of spring. Although it is an Easter story, it does not explore the religious background of the holiday, and would be suitable for all young folklore enthusiasts, I believe. The illustrations by Katya Krenina, with their expressive warmth and color, and their use of folk motifs, are a pleasure to look at, and offer an delightful visual counter-part to the story. ( )

Great Easter story. It teaches that if you help someone in this case the birds to be safe from the winter you might have a reward without expecting something in return. The people in this village got this beautiful easter eggs from the birds and from then on People from Ukraine decorate this beautiful eggs. In Ukraine the egg symbolizes re birth. also represents luck and good fortune to the people that receives them. ( )