This month I am searching my local library and the internet in order to discover the best Easter children’s picture books. Today, I would like to share with you two wonderful books about Ukrainian Easter Eggs also known as pysanky.
Rechenka’s Eggs by Patricia Polacco
Remember this book:Pin It
Elderly Babushka spends the long Russian winter decorating Ukrainian pysanky eggs for the Easter Festival in Moskva. One winter, she discovers an injured goose (Rechenka) that she brings inside. All is well until Rechenka’s captivity results in her accidentally knocking over Babushka’s basket of eggs to their ruin. Despairing, Babushka falls asleep that night only to wake up to “a miracle” – Rechenka has laid a perfect pysanky! Each morning a new egg appears replacing Babushka’s broken work. When the day of the Easter festival arrives, Babushka knows that she must free Rechenka despite her companionship. But, Rechenka has one more miracle to give . . .
Age Level: 4 and up (moderate amount of text density per page)
My opinion: Rechenka’s Eggs is beautifully illustrated, and the story is simple and moving. The story has a magical spin that may seem implausible to adults but will stir children’s imagination.
Watch Reading Rainbow’s episode on Rechenka’s Eggs:
(The book is read beginning at 4:50 min, and Patricia Polacco (who, by the way, was taught the pysanky technique by her Ukrainian grandmother) talks about her book and demonstrates how the Ukranians make pysanky at 11:40 min.)
Find Rechenka’s Eggs at your local library: WorldCat
Free Printables: Patricia Polacco’s website, The Picture Book Woman
Other Reviews: Kirkus Reviews, Little Lamb Books
The Birds’ Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story retold by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Katya Krenina
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In this Easter folk tale, an Ukrainian village decides to save a flock of gold birds from death at the commencement of winter. Everyone including the priest at church shares the responsibility for housing the birds. Near winter’s end, the village decides to free the growingly restless birds even though the snow still falls. The birds not only survive but repay the village’s kindness by leaving a special Easter gift: the first pysanky.
Age Level: 4 and up (moderate amount of text density per page)
My opinion: The storytelling and illustrations reflect authentic Ukrainian folklore (Eric A. Kimmel is well-known for his professional folk storytelling and Katya Krenina is from the Ukraine). I liked that The Birds’ Gift also included Christian elements and explained the Christian symbolism of the pysanky. My only question: How would anyone live in a house with a bunch of birds flying around all winter?
Find The Birds’ Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story at your local library: WorldCat
Other Review: Publishers Weekly
Related Activities: Using The Birds’ Gift to Show Kindness to Others
Want to learn more about Ukrainian Easter traditions?
Ukrainian Easter Baskets
Information on Pysanky (wonderful photos)
How to make Pysanky (lots of information on supplies and technique)
How to make Pysanky (with children) (great step by step photos)
Don’t miss: Celebrating Easter with the Best Children’s Books
part 1 part 3 part 4
I have more books that I am excited about sharing over the coming weeks! Do you have a favorite Easter book?
