The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey
The Children’s Book Review
“An extremely powerful book about a mother’s love for her daughter during a terrible time in history. The book is raw, real, and emotional. The illustrations are incredible and help share this important story in a very powerful way.”
— Christina D., Amazon Customer
About the Book
The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey
Written by Pat Black-Gould
Illustrated by Katya Royz
Ages 8+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Purple Butterfly Press | ISBN-13: 9781955119207
Publisher’s Synopsis: A Star of David necklace or a rosary?
In 1939 Poland, a young girl is asked to give up one of these and accept the other without understanding why. However, what she must part with happens to be her most prized possession—a precious gift given to her by her father before he died.
The child’s mother then teaches the girl a “game” to prepare her for what is to come. As the Nazis invade the country, the mother is forced to make a heartbreaking sacrifice.
This beautifully illustrated picture book is loosely based on a true story. Although told through the eyes of a young girl, the book is written for readers of all ages. It also contains two study guides. One is for children, parents, and teachers. The other is for adults who may gather in places of worship, book clubs, and small groups. Discussion topics include themes of compassion, empathy, and diversity.
Buy the Book
About the Author
Pat Black-Gould, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an author. Her short stories have appeared in several literary journals and anthologies.
Many years ago, Pat heard a powerful story that haunted her until she committed it to paper. The Crystal Beads was first published in Jewish Fiction. net in 2020. The short story then won first-place honors in two writing competitions conducted by the National League of American Pen Women, Washington, D.C.
The first was an award by the Pen Women Florida State Association. She then received the Flannery O’Connor Short Story Award as part of the National Biennial Letters in Competition. Pat felt it important to bring the story to a younger audience. At that point, she rewrote it as a children’s book. She hopes that The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey, will do justice to the story she once heard and carry its message to younger generations.
Pat’s writing explores topics such as compassion, tolerance, and diversity. She continues to examine these themes in her upcoming novel, Limbo of the Moon, written with her co-writer, Steve Hardiman.
For more information, visit www.patblackgould.com.
57 Comments
This sounds like a book that I need to read
Sounds like an interesting book.
The story is moving and touches upon a rich part of history. I like the illustrations which depict some of the hardships this family went through. My grandkids would enjoy this book along with their families.
Such important themes to highlight during this fraught time in our history.
This true story sounds good.
I would like to win for my son’s classroom
this would be a book that would be a little hard to read but well worth the read
This is a nicely illustrated book.
sounds like a interesting and different book
An interesting book about history.
this would be a book that I think you would have talk about after you have read part of it
this is a time that kids need to learn about
Sounds like an interesting book for adults and children.
this sounds like a very interesting book but I also think kids will ask questions
I would like this book for my grandchild.
sounds like a interesting learning book for all
I like that it’s a picture book and it’s loosely based on a true story.
I think this would be a family read and talking about some things
This seems like a really good book of importance that teaches the reader life lessons in the book and around them.
Lovely artwork
An interesting book about history for parents and children.
I think this would be a book that zay would have a lot of questions but would learn from it
This is an interesting book for children.
this would be a book to read in stages…………. maybe talking about it in between
this would be a lot of talking about what has been read a learning book for zay
A nicely Illustrated book
this would be a great bringer learning book
This book is loosely based on a true story! Sounds like an interesting book.
this might be a book that zay and her parent learn some interesiting information
This book looks like a good teaching tool!
this sounds like a book that zays parent would read and talk about with her
Fun read for sure!
An interesting book about history to read.
this sounds like a interesting and learning book
My daughter would love this!
This is an interesting read
this would be a good learning book for zay and her parents
kids will enjoy and learn from this book
this would be a learning book for zay but our kids have to learn and understand
a good book that is a learning book for zqy
this sounds like a book that would take time to read and answer questions but it a good book to learn from
this would be a very interesting book to learn a little history for zay and family
I think this would be a good book but parents would have to talk about things so zay would understand
the study guide would be very valuable for zay and parents
Sounds like a good book
a learning book for the whole family
I would like to have this good read book.
A history that is worth learning about a little bit at a time
This book is loosely based on a true story.
this sounds like a good learning book on something that all kids need to learn about
It would be great to win this book for my grandchild.
this would be a special book to read
Thank you for the chance to win this book for my grandchild.
learning book on some history that zayt needs to know
Sounds very interesting!
Thank you for the opportunity to win!
this sounds lik3 a very intersting learning book