A Song for Lena

What a treasure this book is. It is a gentle loving story about a grandmother who teaches her granddaughter about the kind of giving that brings dignity to the recipient and joy to the giver. It is the tale of a yearly tradition of celebrating the apple harvest by making strudel which expands to include a wanderer. In the end, this small kindness touches a family deeply and stands as an example from which young and old can learn. The watercolor illustrations are lovely and tender. This book is always a delight but especially as an antidote to the holiday 'gimmees.'

This book is inspiring, magical, sensitive and a engaging for all children (and adults!). It challenges us to think about how the most unexpected people can impact our lives. It's a must have for every library, at home or at school.