This book is set after WWII, when Holland, and much of Europe, was suffering through lack of food, clothing, resources. Katje receives a box of supplies from America (wool socks, soap, and a chocolate bar) and she shares it with the town. She writes back to say thanks and tell Rosie, who helped send the package with The Children's Aid Society, that she shared her chocolate bar but there wasn't enough for everyone. A pen-pal correspondence ensues, with bigger and bigger packages being sent for Katje to share.
Author's note about the real-life situation in the back. Sugar-coated history (people were starving and freezing after the war-some even were forced to eat tulip bulbs to survive), ( )

In this book Katje starts recieving packages in Holland from the US after her home town is affected by World War II. These boxes start of simply with the first one having a pair of socks, some chocolate, and soap. This sets of a friendship between Katje and Rosie that leads to clothing and food being provided for Katje's town during the worst winter anyone can remember. This causes hope and friendship to bloom like the Spring Tulips. This book shows how a simple gesture of kindness can change the life of someone you don't even know yet. ( )

Boxes for Katje written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen is a remarkable historical fiction book for young readers. It is a story told based on real life events in 1945. The story took place in the town of Olst in Holland right after World War II. Told in the third person point of view, the key theme of this picture book is generosity. Readers get to learn about sharing and about a historical war as the story is about a little dutch girl named Katje who writes a letter to an American friend after the War to thank her for a care package she received. After that first letter, Katje receives another box even bigger than the one before.

Although the book is intended for young children age 8-13, it is in my opinion that this very touching story can be for any audience. Because of the setting and I believe children and adults can relate to the book because the struggles faced then are some of the same struggles seen in now in America. Care packages are out together and sent all over the world during the COVID19 pandemic. I give this book a 4 star rating happily responded. ( )

Katje lives in Holland, which is suffering after World War II. However, her correspondence with her American pen pal Rosie always brightens her days. Rosie sends a small box to Katje with a letter, soap, wool socks, and chocolate without realizing the effect it would have. She learns that all of these things are almost impossible to find in Holland because of the war, so Rosie is inspired to do more. The boxes get bigger and bigger, and Katje shares more and more with neighbors and friends. What was a simple pen pal care package grow and grow until the package provides both necessities and luxuries for many people in Katje's town. These boxes from Rosie brighten the day of everyone that comes into contact with them. This book would be a great way to explain to students the economic hardships of war. Katje's town is devastated by the war, and no one can afford luxuries (that we see as necessities) such as premade soap or warm socks. It also shows how big of an impact a child can make! Rosie is able to get the people of Katje's town supplies just by sharing what Katje says in her letters. She makes a huge difference by doing something small for her pen pal. ( )

One box. Then another. Then so many Katje couldn't count. Someone from a far off had sent her gifts. In Holland, where Katje is from, the people are very poor and the country is in the middle of conflict. But Katje has found a friend. Her name is Rosie Johnson. Rosie mailed Katje a box with socks and soap and chocolates! Then, she sent her a box with just sugar, as Katje had let Rosie know in her thank you letter that sugar is a rare and almost obsolete commodity. Then Katje got the surprise of her life. Boxes upon boxes were mailed to her. It seems that Rosie interceded in America on her behalf. Schools, businesses, neighbors, and even churches were gathering items to send to Rosie. Rosie shared everything with the people in her village who were less fortunate, but equally as grateful as she was. Rosie received a package, too. Tulip bulbs. The package came with directions. Plant them in winter and wait for the beauty in the spring. What a wonderful story this was! No one knows what the giver gives like the receiver. ( )