Pavlova's Gift
- Publisher
- Fitzhenry and Whiteside
- Initial publish date
- Oct 1996
- Category
- Europe, Europe
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9780773729698
- Publish Date
- Oct 1996
- List Price
- $9.95
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Where to buy it
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age: 5 to 10
- Grade: k to 5
Description
A CCBC Our Choice book
The letter was signed by Czar Nicholas, himself. He was asking her to perform once more for his ailing son. Though her days on the stage were behind her, Anna Pavlova had no choice. She would have to dance for Prince Alexis. Or would she? Perhaps, for the greatest dancer in all of Russia, the answer lay in the old gypsy woman's carved, wooden heart.
Anna Pavlova was once the greatest ballerina in all of Russia. Now, she spends her days dancing alone.
So, when Czar Nicholas pleads with her to perform for his ailing son, she must put aside her fear of reappearing in public. She must hope there is enough skill left in her dance to encourage the boy to live. As Anna hastens to her sleigh, an old gypsy woman presses a carved wooden heart into her hand. "Look into your own face tonight and choose how to give your gift." she says.
With the strange words still ringing in her ears, Anna rides into the wintry night where a mysterious encounter is about to take place.
Maxine Trottier and Victoria Bersichevsky bring a perfect blend of history and fantasy to life.
Set on the eve of the Russian Revolution, Pavlova's Gift is a
poignant tale of generosity and promise.
About the authors
Maxine Trottier is a prolific writer of books for young people. Born in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan on May 3, 1950, she moved to Windsor, Ontario in Canada with her family ten years later. In 1974 she became a Canadian citizen. She is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario.Maxine spent 31 years working as an educator in elementary classrooms, guiding children toward literacy. The students in her class, who of course thought of her only as their teacher, saw each step in the creation of a new work. They heard the unillustrated story, saw the roughs, and were the first to view the finished book.Maxine lives with her husband William and their two Yorkies, Ceilidh and Moon. They divide their year between Port Stanley, Ontario on Lake Erie, and Newman s Cove, Newfoundland, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Both are wonderful places to write.
Editorial Reviews
"A fine melding of story and pictures."
— Best Canadian Picture Books, Emergency Librarian
"The story and the pictures are such a moving portrayal of the goodness of giving that they will be a far greater inspiration to your grandchildren than any lecture could ever be."
— Margot Griffin, Ask The Book Lady
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