I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

This is a story about a girl and her family who are forced from their home by war. While the story itself doesn't specify World War II, that was the impression I got while reading (and it's born out by the book's synopsis). The girl really misses her babushka (grandmother) and her sunflowers, until one day her mother paints sunflowers on the windows of the refugee house they are living in.

While I think giving the story a specific time in history might be nice, leaving it a little more ambiguous does allow the story to remain relevant since there are new war refugees every day. I think this is a good story to read with children who don't have any experience with war too though, because it can definitely help them to empathize with the plight of those in these horrible circumstances.

The illustrations were kind of wispy and cloud-like, but colorful when applicable. Overall I give The Sunflowers Babushka Planted 4.8438 out of 5 stars.

A painfully beautiful story. A great way to help children connect to refugees and a good way to initiate hard discussions with the children in your life.

A compelling – and current – story of hope, inspired by WW2 and some refugees from it who had been living in Kiev. Inspired by both then and now, it shows a family forced to abandon the succour of home – and even the girl's grandmother, a babushka who had been a main part of her lovely childhood. Ending up, eventually, in a hut for displaced persons, they find the walls and surroundings dull, life- and hope-less, but a change is at hand, when they borrow one key thing from their memories of Ukraine, and replicate it where they now have to call home.

I've seen this artist's work before, and once again she does a fine job. It certainly doesn't dwell on the warfare or the misery, but neither does it make everything happiness and light, thus losing the impact of the sunny switch the family makes. The story, too, is also a strong one – clearly based in heartfelt manner on a true event, but still with the sense of fable all such volumes should convey. The result is a lovely letter to hope, and how joy can actually manage to knock around the world for miles and miles, even if it may look like a shrivelled, dried-up and killed-off thing, as a humble sunflower seed can. A strong four stars.

Tania and her parents are forced to leave their home in Ukraine because of a war (presumably World War II) Tania misses her babushka (grandmother) who was deeemed too old to travel. Now in this century the author uses that parallel story to call reader's attention to the current war in Ukraine and the plight of the millions of children refugees worldwide.

I loved a lot from this picture book set in Ukraine during WWII. Who's says you can't learn anything from picture books.

Me and my children enjoyed this story with all of the characters within. It's about a girl that has to leave her home behind because events are happened. When they get to a safe place it doesn't feel like a home. Her parents try to made it one for them.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure and suspense throughout. It a bit sad at parts and happy too.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

The Sunflowers Babushka Planted by Beatrice Rendon is a beautiful story inspired by the Author's Grandmother's life. The Sunflowers Babushka Planted is a beautifully illustrated and written story. The Sunflowers Babushka Planted tells the story of 6 year old Tania, who has to leaver her home and her Babushka for safety during conflict,. As Tania gets used to her new normal, but still misses what she left behind, she begins to have hope again when her Mom plants sunflowers because it reminds her of her Babushka. The Sunflowers Babushka Planted is an inspiring story that encourages the reader to never give up and that there is always hope. The Sunflowers Babushka Planted is a perfect book to read in any setting. I highly recommend The Sunflowers Babushka Planted! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

This was a beautifully illustrated picture book about the consequences of war and moving to a new place of safety. How feelings of displacement are present and how people adapt to a new life by adding reminders of their home to create some sense of resemblance.

A nice read for families that have been forced to move away from their homes due to difficult circumstances to create hope.

I love reading beautiful picture books to my little girls. They love it, too, of course. A few days ago, we had a long evening with hardly anyone at home, so I read to my 4-year-old for awhile. One of the books I read her was The Sunflowers Babushka Planted. 
Tania had a happy life in a city in Ukraine. She lived with her parents and her grandmother. She went to school every day, and when she came home her grandmother cared for her until her parents came home. Then one day, war came to their city. Tania and her parents had to flee.
After wandering from one place to another, Tania and her parents found a room to live in in a refugee camp. It was a bare, uninspiring little room. Before too long, though, Mama had a good idea. Suddenly, life was much different. 
My sensitive little girl was worried when Tania and her parents had to leave without the grandmother. The story glossed over the hard facts of the war, though, and focused on the good that happened to the little family. She was happy with the ending. The Sunflowers Babushka Planted is a gentle way to introduce young children to war and refugees, and a beautiful story of family and love. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

Actual rating: 4.25
This story was incredibly moving, especially given how topical it is. The author's note is adds even more to the story Rendon has created. The fact that the story was inspired by her grandmother's experience 80+ years ago in Ukraine adds a heartfelt and even more tragic note to the story.
I think for those of us fortunate enough to have never seen or dealt with the consequences of war face to face, we forget how human it is. We have the luxury of being able to remove ourselves from the worries that plague families and children in those regions.
I think this books discusses the tragedies of war in an age appropriate way and in a way a lot of children, untouched by war, can connect with. You feel the love and longing Tania has for not just her old home, but for her grandmother. The line "How could anywhere feel like home without Babushka?" had me tearing up.
It is a truly lovely piece of work.

This is a children’s story that explains war and what refugees are and why people may have to leave their home and seek refuge in other countries and the difficulties and hopes that can come to pass

The title and the lovely cover illustration drew me to read this story about Tania, a six-year-old Ukrainian refugee, and her parents, who fled Ukraine during World War II. They lived in Europe and eventually found safe housing in a refugee camp. However, their sense of home returned when they remembered Tania's babushka and her sunflowers. This is an inspiring true story and offers hope. ⋆🌻💛 ⋆꙳•❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊

Sunflowers are a sign of hope, warmth, positivity, and strength. This story emphasizes family unity, overcoming obstacles in life, and cherishing memories of loved ones. This truly is a heartwarming and comforting story. ⋆꙳•❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆🌻💛

Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher.

I would recommend "The Sunflowers Babushka Planted" as a read-aloud to teach children about refugees and war. However, it was not perfect. My main issues have to do with the cover and title not reflecting the story itself. Firstly, I love the sunflowers as a symbol of hope, but they should be more present throughout the whole book. Sunflowers are mentioned/shown at the beginning and at the end of the book, but they are completely forgotten in the middle. Even if they were hidden in the background of illustrations, that would have been a nice nod. Additionally, I wish there had been some closure as to what happened to Babushka. She *is* the titular character, after all. Other than these qualms, the story was very moving and heartfelt.

This is one family's story of becoming refugees in a time of war and the healing that came slowly.
The illustrations by Olga Baumert are clear, brilliant, and moving.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Star Bright Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#CBCBook #UkraineSunflowers #Refugees #Family

Wow this was such a good book, a heartwarming story! Loved it! The little girl and her grandma made such a good duo.

This is a really lovely story about a little girl, Tania, and her family how they find hope in the darkest times.  Tania and her parents had to flee their home in Ukraine during WWII, however, as the author explains at the end of the book, this is a trauma that people are still facing today across the world.

I absolutely loved the illustrations in this book. The colours were just so vivid, but without being overbearing and there was just so much to look at. This would be a great addition to any school and would be a huge help in explaining the devastating impact of war.

A very touching story about Tania who had to flee Ukraine and become a refugee along with her parents. Sunflowers were their comfort. I think its a good book for teaching other children about the hardships created by war. Yet, also teaching how to persevere and make the most of a bad situation. The lovely illustrations give great 'final touch'.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

November 2023

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

This is an amazing Ukrainian story. It starts with war, the girl leaning and having to live without Babushka. Life doesn't feel like home without Babushka. The girl remembers the little things to make it feel like Babushka is there. I think this could be relatable to many kids, but could also give insight to what life is like in war,

This story could be happening today. In fact, it surely is. And not just in Ukraine. Although written from the memories of the author's grandmother as a child refugee during and after WWII, people are still fleeing for their lives from their homes and homelands. Bombs are still falling. People are still dying. Families are being ripped apart. This story is a reality for all too many.

All that said, this story somehow manages to be both heart wrenching and hopeful. The sunflower, Ukraine's national flower and a symbol of hope, is the perfect symbol here of resilience and hope for the future. Tania's family is forced to flee their home in Ukraine during WWII. Her babushka/grandmother, is too frail to leave but urges them to do so anyway. Tania carries with her the memories of long afternoons of reading and storytelling with her babushka as well as her love of sunflowers. The family is forced to move frequently for safety and chances of a better life. None of these places seem like home. Then, Tania's mother paints sunflowers on the walls and on curtains made from flour sacks. Like Tania's babushka, her mother helps plant the seeds of hope in Tania, who eventually became the babushka of the author.

It's a moving story, one being played out in multiple places about the world today. Children are caught in the crosshairs but hope of a better future, a better life, springs eternal. This beautifully illustrated book should be on every library and teacher's bookshelf. If you've ever had to leave behind all you know and love, this story should speak to you whatever the cause. Sadly, it's a universal story, separation from the comfort of familiarity. From safety. It's difficult for adults to cope, let alone children. Thank you so very, very much #NetGalley and #Capstone for allowing me to read this book early. Children are our future.

A beautiful refugee story told from the point-of-view of a young Ukrainian girl. The connection between the sunflowers as the national flower of Ukraine and how it reminds Tania of her Babushka is heartwarming. The author's call to action for readers to support refugees from all over the world is prescient and necessary. I enjoyed this book and it reminded me of my own grandmother.