Pysanky Promise by Cathy Witbeck #BookReview #readingroom

Five Stars

I am so delighted today to provide a review for you at my blog stop for Pysanky Promise: A Children’s picture book about pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) by Cathy Witbeck in the Reading Room at Sage’s Blog Tours.

Book Details:

Title: Pysanky Promise by Cathy Witbeck

Publisher: Calico Barn Books

Publication Date: November 15, 2018

Print Length: 34 pages

• ISBN-10:1732262624
• ISBN-13:978-1732262621
• ASIN: B07KLWM3HX

Book Blurb:

When a young girl learns that her grandmother’s hands have grown too shaky to make pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs), she learns the art herself, hoping to heal her grandmother’s heart. The book explains the method for making pysanky, as well as a bit about the history, symbolism, and tradition behind the craft.

My Review:

Aww, such a beautiful little book, geared for the Easter child in all of us sure to span all ages and cultures alike. This little book takes the art of creating Ukrainian Easter eggs and weaves it seamlessly into family tradition, history, and the construction process (and the process does take time).

“The world pysanky is related to the word ‘pysaty’, which means ‘to write.’ Pysanky are egg with a message written on them…People have been making pysanky for many years. Before Christianity, people believed the egg was a source of power…”

The designs are fabulous, but more than that–the designs, the borders, the colors all mean something and “each color has more than one meaning.”

White-purity — Yellow-kindness, happiness — Orange-strength, endurance — Green-spring, hope — Blue-sky, good health — Red-love, passion — Black-eternity

And some designs: Diamond-knowledge, Fish – a symbol of Christianity, Flower – beauty and wisdom, Star – beauty and perfection

I wish you could see these brilliant colors and breathtaking designs–and you can get a glimpse of the promise at the author’s website or find her book at most retail book outlets including Overdrive.

I’m thinking many of these design and color meanings are common to many more cultures and it was certainly fun to be reminded of their translations again. Thanks to Sage’s Reading Room for the opportunity to read and review this beautifully illustrated children’s book! Also recommended for anyone who enjoys learning new cultural ideas and their origins.

About The Author: Cathy Witbeck is an author/illustrator, a Ukrainian Easter egg instructor, a mom to five, wife to one, and a voracious reader of pretty much everything, especially picture books.

Raised on a ranch in Southern Alberta, Canada, she grew up surrounded by siblings, cows, and barn cats. Understandably, her website is http://www.calicobarnbooks.com.

Cathy was once asked by the American Egg Board to make a pysanka for The White House (yes, that White House) to represent the state of Utah for the Decorated Egg Event. Sadly, the event was canceled before she could attend the swanky reception that had been planned. A tragedy of epic proportions.

Cathy Witbeck es autora / ilustradora, instructora de huevos de Pascua de Ucrania, madre de cinco hijos, esposa de uno y voraz lectora de casi todo, especialmente de libros ilustrados.

Nacida en un rancho en el sur de Alberta, Canadá, creció rodeada de hermanos, vacas y gatos de granero. Comprensiblemente, su sitio web es http://www.calicobarnbooks.com.

Una vez, la American Egg Board le pidió a Cathy que hiciera un pysanka para que la Casa Blanca (sí, esa Casa Blanca) representara al estado de Utah para el Evento del huevo decorado. Lamentablemente, el evento se canceló antes de que ella pudiera asistir a la elegante recepción que se había planeado. Una tragedia de proporciones épicas.

©2019 V Williams