ONE THOUSAND TRACINGS

In the aftermath of World War II, a kind American family sends relief packages to struggling European survivors. In 1946, a six-year-old girl living on a Midwest farm is relieved that her father has returned from the war. When her mother receives a letter from friends in Germany saying they are starving, she sends them a box of wool socks, sweaters, a coat and canned foods. The thank-you letter includes a list of ten families who need shoes and includes tracings of their feet. As fast as the girl and her mother collect used shoes, match them with the tracings and mail them to Europe, more names and tracings arrive. When the girl receives a letter from a little girl in Germany whose father is missing, the two correspond, hoping the German father will return. Based on a true story of the author’s grandmother and mother, this touching bit of history humanizes war and demonstrates the difference a few people can make. Nostalgic watercolor illustrations are perfectly paired with collages of letters, photos and tracings the author’s grandmother received from the many families she and her friends helped to survive. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-9)