After World War II there is little left in Katje's town of Olst in Holland. Her family, like most Dutch families, must patch their old worn clothing and go without everyday things like soap and milk. Then one spring morning when the tulips bloom "thick and bright," Postman Kleinhoonte pedals his bicycle down Katje's street to deliver a mysterious box – a box from America! Full of soap, socks, and chocolate, the box has been sent by Rosie, an American girl from Mayfield, Indiana. Her package is part of a goodwill effort to help the people of Europe. What's inside so delights Katje that she sends off a letter of thanks – beginning an exchange that swells with so many surprises that the girls, as well as their townspeople, will never be the same. his inspiring story, with strikingly original art, is based on the author's mother's childhood and will show young readers that they, too, can make a difference.
这本书是根据一个真实事件写成的。1945年5月，我母亲往欧洲寄了一个小包裹，里面装了一支牙膏、一双袜子、一块肥皂和一封短信。我母亲用难以辨认的潦草字迹送上祝福，也写下了自己的地址。我母亲的小包裹被送到荷兰的一个家庭，他们的大女儿叫凯琪。凯琪的父亲回信给我母亲，请求她为婴儿寄盒奶粉、白糖或一些肉罐头。凯琪一家人迫切的需要令我母亲心碎不已。于是，从一个女人所寄的小包裹开始，变成社会各界参与的行动，帮助欧洲人度过寒冬。白糖、奶粉和外套纷纷被打包装箱，从印第安纳州横渡大西洋运到荷兰。凯琪一家人顺利活下来了，而且，当荷兰的状况渐渐改善后，他们也寄了一个包裹给美国的朋友一箱郁金香球根，我母亲和那些曾经帮助过凯琪家的人，把这些球根种在镇上的各个角落。我想，那些郁金香应该都还盛开着吧。
By Candace Fleming, Illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen, Hardcover, Simplified Chinese Character, 36 Pages, 11.25"x9"
