The Day My Father Became a Bush

Toda and her father live happily in their town. Toda’s father is a baker and has his own shop. Then one day, her father tells her he has to go away to be in the army and fight in the war. Luckily, he has a book that tells about camouflage, and he can disguise himself as a bush and hide from the enemy. Toda’s grandmother comes to live at the bakery and take care of Toda, but the war comes to their town and soon they are in terrible danger. Grandmother sends Toda to her mother who lives across the border, where Toda will be safe. Toda doesn’t remember her mother, but does as she is told to. Her journey is long and arduous and full of adventures. Some of the time she is terribly alone, but she persists and knows she must find her way to her mother.

Joke van Leeuwen, author and illustrator, has won several awards in her native Netherlands including the Dutch State Prize for youth literature. American youngsters may find this story unusual, but it will broaden their literary horizons.