Scan barcode
thewinnielife's review against another edition
5.0
This book never fails to make me cry. It's one of the sweetest picture books and I just love it.
kerryann's review against another edition
4.0
This book is based on a true story. It describes a relationship between a midwestern American family and a family in Holland that developed following WWII. This is a child's book and is written in an easy appealing manner, but it tackles issues like abundance and hunger. It was also very moving. Great book.
reddjena's review against another edition
5.0
This heartfelt story of generosity between two families in 1945 filled my heart with joy, which sprang from my eyes as tears.
greenbeanteenqueen's review against another edition
4.0
Boxes for Katje is an incredibly heartwarming book. While the book is based on a true story, the author has taken artistic liberty and made the characters children instead of adults as in the real life story. It was actually Katje's father who wrote back asking for supplies, not Katje herself. Although the book may not be entirely factual, the story does maintain its uplifting message of generosity.
The artwork is colorful and the reader is transported to Holland through Dressen-McQueens illustrations. Readers can spot the similarities between cultures in the illustrations-friendly neighbors, a cat lounging in the yard, people talking on the street. By adding these, readers can discover that these two girls are not that different.
Boxes for Katje is a great read for all ages and one that will be sure to inspire readers to give.
When I first read this one, I thought it would be the perfect tie-in to any community giving event. I would use Boxes for Katje to kick off a canned food drive that the library was sponsoring (maybe a food for fines drive?). I would also tie in historical events with today and explain to students that even today there are people who are in need and we can help
The artwork is colorful and the reader is transported to Holland through Dressen-McQueens illustrations. Readers can spot the similarities between cultures in the illustrations-friendly neighbors, a cat lounging in the yard, people talking on the street. By adding these, readers can discover that these two girls are not that different.
Boxes for Katje is a great read for all ages and one that will be sure to inspire readers to give.
When I first read this one, I thought it would be the perfect tie-in to any community giving event. I would use Boxes for Katje to kick off a canned food drive that the library was sponsoring (maybe a food for fines drive?). I would also tie in historical events with today and explain to students that even today there are people who are in need and we can help
libraryowl's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story demonstrating the selflessness of an American family and a young lady from Holland. Katje is living in Holland during the World War II era. Like all Dutch families at this time, she is very needy with threadbare clothing and no sugar, milk, and other basic supplies. Rosie from America sends a few items (socks, soap, and chocolate) to Katje. Katje selflessly shares her chocolate with others. Katje in turn writes a letter to tell how much they appreciate the kindness since sugar is not available. Next, Katje receives a box with sugar. Once again, Katje shares with others. This goes on with the American family giving to Katje, and Katje sharing with her community. At one point many boxes of clothing are sent for the townspeople of Olst. Finally, things begin to look up for Katje and her townspeople. They want to show their gratitude and send a box of tulip bulbs to Rosie's town in America. This book is a winner of the California Young Reader Medal award in the Picture Book for Older Reader Category for the year 2006.
engpunk77's review against another edition
3.0
The feel-good aspects of this story are the vividly illustrated acts of kindness, sharing, community, and goodwill, but I couldn't enjoy it until I read that it was a true story, at the very end. Perhaps had I known that from the start, I could've loved it. My stomach was in knots with the realization that a girl, family, then community in Indiana was actually supporting completely a girl, family, and then an entire neighborhood in Holland. Basically, it's showing that the entire neighborhood would not have survived without the shipments of goods from Indiana, and that didn't seem right to me. Now that I know that this happened, and it was only one year, I feel better, but the story gave me too many complicated and rather unpleasant feelings.
drownedinlight's review against another edition
5.0
A sweet story based in world history and the history of the author. Katje, a Dutch girl living in a small village after Wold War II, receives a box from a girl in America containing socks, soap and chocolate. The girls strike up a friendship, and Katje's heartfelt thanks inspires generosity of her new friend's American town.
mmattmiller's review
4.0
What a wonderful story! And on top of the already wonderful story, you read the author's note and find out it's based on truth! So great! Definitely one I could use to teach about kindness, and spreading kindness. I love that it shows that it's not always this for that. Sometimes one person (or family) needs to give more, while the other family is on the receiving end and doesn't have much to give at the moment. Some kids today think you do things to get things, you give something to get something back. What a powerful story of taking care of others! (I also love the pen pal aspect!)
More...