Fireflies: CLIP Review: Boxes for Katje

Author: Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Stacey Dressen-McQueen

This is a true story about boxes.

It's a story of two little girls who were kind and believed that miracles happen. But what made the miracles so special is that they weren't special at all! They simply took the form of a tube of toothpaste, a pair of socks or a box of powdered milk. For you see, after World War II much of Europe was left cold, hungry and hopeless.

Katje's town in Holland was no exception. Then one day Postman Kleinhoonte pedaled his bicycle down Katje's cobbled street and brought her the first of many "miracle" boxes from Rosie, a girl in Indiana. Once Rosie and her town received Katje's note of thanks, the boxes she sent increased in size and content. Soon coats, cans of meat and bags of sugar began to arrive - much to the delight of Katje and her entire town!

How could Katje's family and town ever repay Rosie? You'll be filled with a sense of wonder and delight when Rosie and her family sample the seeds of friendship that grow from Katje's box.

"Dear friend Rosie, I shared the sugar with our neighbors.
They have 5 children who are skin and bone.
Your gift has surely helped us. Your friend, Katje"

"Dear Rosie, Your box caused much excitement in Olst.
People stopped worrying about the holes in their shoes and their threadbare coats.
You see? Your friendship has not only filled our stomachs,
it has lifted our spirits as well. Love, Katje"

As you read this incredible book with your children, may we be reminded that at any age it truly is "more blessed to give than to receive."