Christmas during War Time!

1945 Caldecott Honor: The Christmas Anna Angel

Written By: Ruth Sawyer

Illustrated by: Kate Seredy Bio from: Wikipedia

Born in 1896 (note: some sources say 1899^[1]), in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, she served as a nurse during World War I.

In 1935, she published her first book as author and illustrator, The Good Master, about two children growing up in pre-World War I Hungary, which was named a Newbery Honor book in 1936. Her 1937 novel, The White Stag was awarded the 1938 Newbery Medal for excellence in children's literature and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1959. The sequel to The Good Master, The Singing Tree was named a Newbery Honor book in 1940. When the Caldecott Honor list was created in 1971, Seredy was retroactively named a recipient for the year 1945 for her illustrations for The Christmas Anna Angel by Ruth Sawyer.

Many more were to follow, although she always considered herself an illustrator before an author. She illustrated her work in her own unique style and her books were "an excuse for making pictures".^[2]

While Seredy worked with many authors and publishers as an illustrator, her own books were published exclusively by Viking Press, which reprinted and re-issued many of her titles in paperback via their Puffin Books imprint.

She lived at Montgomery, New York.^[3] Her hobbies included "woodcarving, sculpture, making pottery, painting children's portraits, and designing and sewing".^[4]

She died of heart failure on March 7, 1975 at the age of 78.

Book Summary:

“A Christmas story set on a farm in Hungary during the war, many years ago, as told to Ruth Sawyer by her friend.”

I found this book to be delightful, both in text and in illustrations.  The strong Hungry feel to the illustrations gave it a darker feel to it.  And because the text was set during the time of a war it makes sense to have the darker illustrations.  They were strong with bright colors.  When looking at Anna’s detailed dress you would see the intricate details of design as well as the layers and layers of cloth used. 

Final Thoughts:

1. Would this be a book I would pick up again?Yes

2. Would I recommend it to others to search out and take a look at? Yes

3. Would I spend my hard earned money on the book?Yes

4. Where did I get the book? Pierce County Library

Again another reason to visit Oregon!

http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/ark:/80444/xv37289