Flowers For Sarajevo Picture Book Review

Tweet

Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Working in the marketplace with his father, Drasko marvels at his father's ability to sniff out the best flowers. He is also amazed at how his father has no trouble giving them away to even the crankiest merchants. Together the father and son work side by side with people of different backgrounds - Serb and Croat, Muslim and Christian. When war breaks out, Drasko must run the flower stand by himself.     He rejoices at having the best seat in the square as he sits near the building where the orchestra practices.

Drasko witnesses an event that changes his life and those around him when a mortar hits the nearby bakery, killing 22 people. In the depths of despair, Drasko watches one lone man enter the square. The cellist from the symphony plays the same song every day for 22 days for each of those killed in the attack.

From the ashes of despair rise the song of hope. And from that song, hearts slowly heal to bring people together again.

A touching tribute to real life events told from eyes of the fictional Drasko. The illustrations aptly capture the change of moods during the somber time. The accompanying CD with Vedran Smailovic, the real life "Cellist of Sarajevo"performing the piece he played in the square in 1992 bring the story to life in a way that captures the soul. A sensitive and touching way to introduce the young reader to a heartbreaking historical event.

Rating ★★★★★

Publishing Information

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (April 2017)

Written by John McCutcheon

Illustrated by Kristy Caldwell

ISBN: 978-1-56145-943-8

Ages: 7-10

This book can be purchased from the following: