Title: How War Changed Rondo
Author (Ukrainian): Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv
Translator: Oksana Lushchevska
Date (Ukrainian): 2015
Date (English): 2021
Publisher (Ukrainian): Vydavnystvo Staroho Leva (Old Lion Publishing House)
Publisher (English): Enchanted Lion
ISBN: 978-1-59270-367-8
Length: 36 pages
Illustrations by the authors
Quote: "The town of Rondo was like no other...Everyone liked living in Rondo."
Rondo is not a real town; it's a collage of things that suggest creativity and a good life. The main characters in this story about surviving war are a light bulb called Danko, a tied-balloon dog called Fabian, and an origami bird called Zirka. /Houses in Rondo resemble a birdhouse, a grounded hot-air balloon, a dollhouse, a fort, a jewel box, a lighthouse, labyrinths, and other whimsical collage-y things. Flowers in Rondo sing; "vocal performances of the town's anthem--Mozart's Rondo alla Turca--were the biggest draw."
Hello? Would anyone like to listen to a performance of Mozart's Rondo alla Turca?
It has no vocal parts. So this is a book of surreal silliness, which may be the best way for children to absorb information about the horrors of war.
In any case the evocative wackiness of this picture book ought to appeal to adults. I can imagine children not understanding enough to like this book, but for an adult who fails to respond to it there is probably no hope.
Ukraine is not a bad place. Russia is not a bad place. War is a bad thing. War is never a good idea. This web site supports neither side of a war because this web site supports ending it. Whoever stops fighting first wins. Maybe they should use their creativity, like the characters in this book. Mozart never wrote a song to sing to the tune of his Rondo alla Turca. Maybe those poor Euro-idjits should stop fighting and write one.
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