Until 2022, I didn’t know much about Ukraine, but since then I’ve been eager to learn about its culture and history. One tradition that particularly resonates with me is pysanky, the Ukrainian art of decorating eggs using a wax-resist technique. Long before Christianity, these eggs were created as ritual objects, decorated with symbols that carried specific meanings, almost like wishes made tangible.

This book beautifully reflects that tradition. The artwork is extensive and either created using the same wax-and-dye method or designed to closely resemble it. The result is stunning: bold, intricate patterns layered with color and symbolism. Traditional Ukrainian motifs also appear in the clothing throughout the illustrations, reinforcing the cultural richness of the book.

The art stirred a personal memory for me. As a child, I once used this same technique in an art class, though without the deep symbolism found here. These illustrations, however, are far beyond anything I experienced. They are truly breathtaking.

This is a gorgeous book, and I think children will be completely captivated by the vibrant colors, patterns, and cultural depth. It even inspired me to consider decorating eggs again for the first time in decades. A wonderful celebration of Ukrainian art and tradition.

This gorgeous and informative picture book opens in a small village in Ukraine, where readers meet Marie Procai, a young girl who crafts delicate painted eggs called pysanky with her grandmother each Easter. In 1911, at age thirteen, Marie follows her older brothers to the United States, eventually making her way to Minneapolis. There, she lives with a favorite cousin and works a waitress, and all the while, her memories of making pysanky with Baba stay with her. After World War I, when Ukraine is invaded by Russia and Ukrainian art and cultural artifacts are destroyed, Marie keeps the art of pysanky alive in her new home in America. She becomes part of a strong community of Ukrainian immigrants, marries, and begins a family of her own, passing the art of pysanky to her children. Eventually, Marie and her daughter Luba start a Ukrainian gift shop and invent the first pysanky kits. As the decades pass, Marie becomes a revered expert in pysanky, writing books and sharing the beauty, meaning, and artistry of this delicate and enduring folk art.

Wallace does a beautiful job telling Procai's story, and Turk's illustrations, rendered in gouache, resist, and colored pencils, are absolutely stunning. Rich, textured, and evocative, they bring the text--and the art of pysanky--to vivid life. Extensive back matter includes an author's note, additional information about and photographs of Marie and her family, a Ukrainian pronunciation guide, and further resources about pysanky. An exquisite offering for young readers.

This was stunning. Not only was the art beautiful, but the story was absolutely incredible as well. I love learning something new when I pick up a book and this taught me not only about this incredible woman, but also about pysanky! I didn't know about that before this and I'm so grateful I know about this beautiful artform now.

And a very important piece of Ukrainian heritage. Truly special.