Peachblossom: 09/01/08

I first learned about Peachblossom by Eleanor Frances Lattimore from Nicola at Back to Books. I love old books and wanted to give this one a try based on her post. Although it's not quite what I expected, I'm glad I read it.

Peachblossom is an orphan living with a woman and her son whom she calls "Auntie" and "Brother" even though she's not related to either. They are the only family she has. War forces the three of them to leave their home with the moon shaped door for a new village away from the soldiers.

Eleanor Lattimore was born in 1904 in Shanghai and was home schooled by them until they moved to California in 1920. There she attended the California School of Arts and Crafts in Berkeley. Her first hand experience of life in China and her training as an artist shows in Peachblossom with her attention to detail in her narrative and in her illustrations.

Peachblossom shows the affects of war on children. There are moments of joy tucked away in this story and it does end on a hopeful note.

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