This book is written by Juhani Püttsepp, who has written more than 30 books for children and adults as well. The main character, Keete, is an 8-year-old girl with parents from inland who now live near the coast. Keete has a little bear Päts, a toy that has helped her overcome hardships. It is wartime and heavy bombing is taking place. In September 1944, they must leave their home and go to Sweden by uncle Olev’s boat in the darkness, as the Russian forces are coming. The downstairs family is leaving to Germany as well. They hope that they will be back home one day, when the war is over.
The story is connected to the author, whose three great-aunts fled to Sweden by boat with their children. Unfortunately, most of them died on the trip. So, the book is dedicated to them. Fortunately, the book has a good and bright ending.
The book has superb illustrations from Latvian artist Gundega Muzikante. Those pictures support the mood of this story. Although the thematic in the book is pretty serious, pictures compliment the story in the best way possible.
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Published: Mariekuld, 2024
Illustrated: Gundega Muzikante
Translated: Tiina Otema
Juhani Püttsepp “The moon is like a golden ship” e-kataloogis ESTER
Juhani Püttsepp „On kuu kui kuldne laev“ e-kataloogis ESTER
Katrin Antonenko
Liivalaia Library
