Kisses from Rosa (German Parents' Choice Award Book for Illustration)

Illustrated in full color. When her mother becomes ill, young Rosa is sent off to stay at her Aunt Mookie's farm in the Black Forest of Germany. Although she misses her mother terribly, Rosa is quickly caught up in all the activity of farm life--from picking blueberries with Mrs. Schmidt to visiting the cows with Cousin Birgit. In between, she sends kiss-filled letters to Mami via Otto the mailman. And one day soon, she knows they will be together again. The illustrations in Petra Mathers's lovingly drawn memoir have irresistible folkloric charm. Here's a book straight from the heart--certain to strike a chord in anyone who's ever been homesick or separated from a loved one.