Main_large

Only One Year

Review
By Phyllis Fuchs, Curtis Memorial Library

An unusual story that describes the year a two-year-old boy flies with his mother to China to live with his grandparents and other extended family because upon her return, his mother will be working outside of the home. His two sisters, nine and six years old, are puzzled by this decision, miss their brother, find it difficult to explain his absence to their friends and eventually welcome him home. Cheerful pen and ink drawings show the family’s activities. An authors’ notes explains some of the possible reasons for this separation of a young child from his immediate family. A brief glossary is also appended. An interesting and pleasant if not wholly convincing account of differences in cultural attributes. Best for ages of about six to ten years.