Shy Mama's Halloween

Thoughtful story, beautiful pictures. Loved it. The kids liked it too! :-)

Fun to read--aloud or alone--and fun to look at. Good for discussing afterward. Although this is not the experience of my immigrant family, it was familiar enough to resonate. I also had a mother painfully aware of being different. I could never be as strong as she, but I learned from her courage. In this story, kids will see Mama's "transformation" (physically and literally) as fun. Adults may realize that Mama has done something remarkable--go outside her comfort zone. Try it sometime.

A family has come from Russia and this is thier first Halloween. The children are excited, but mother is nervous and does not want the children to go. They agree to let father take them. When father comes home sick the children worry they will not be able to go trick or treating. Mother decides to take them. The children enjoy themselves and feel great for the first time in their new country. The images capture the feeling of the characters in the story. The book also provides a guide for teachers and librarians about the book. This book would be best for kids age 5-8 yrs old.

SHY MAMA'S HALLOWEEN is more of a book about belonging than a holiday book. By exploring a Russian immigrant family's first experience of an American holiday, we see how through trick-or-treating with her children, Mama ("who was shy even in the old country") begins to feel that she belongs in this new country. Halloween, with its costumes and darkness, is a great equalizer. Accents and other differences don't matter. Mama's love for her children draws her past her own timidity about America and leads her into the Halloween streets, and into American life. One of the best parts of this book--rare in children's literature--is the section for parents and teachers at the back that gives discussion questions for further exploration: "Moving to a New Home", "Thinking about Anya's Life". "Thinking About Your Life", and "Halloween and Other Traditions" make the book a study guide in itself. Children and parents can learn together about these subjects on an emotional and intellectual level. For teachers, this will be a great help in discussing differences and promoting diversity, especially when it comes to welcoming students who come from other countries or speak languages other than English. SHY MAMA"S HALLOWEEN is a story that will be remembered for a long time because of the beauty of its story, and the gorgeous, rich paintings of a time long gone.

In their first collaboration, Broyles sensitive and insightful text and Morin's charming and detailed illustrations bring to life the tale of one Russian immigrant as she struggles to assimmilate into the melting pot of the U.S. A heartwarming holiday story that is perfect for year-round reading.