The Doll Maker’s Gift

This heartwarming true story of a doll maker’s decision to risk everything to save another Jewish life comes alive with Schiffman’s charming illustrations. Nora, now 100 and living in a nursing home, recalls her story of escape from vicious pogroms at the end of the 19th century in Eastern Europe. She reminisces with a friendly visitor about her miraculous journey to safety. With only enough money to ship her sister and mother overseas to her father in America, Nora’s mother had decided to leave her in Europe in the care of their Jewish neighbors, Zalushka the doll maker and his wife. But Zalushka has other plans to help Nora. With illustrations in warm pastel colors that depict each stage of the story, children will wonder at Nora’s miraculous story and learn the importance of saving another life. Ages 8–up. (Nov.)