Polish Food

I may have waited a bit to do Fridays post if I'd known this was on the way as it fitted in with the Polish sweets I received... still its great to have got something so delicious!

Strawberries! I just love fruity things and this is something so amazing. Poland is the 2nd largest country in Europe to grow and export strawberries. I never knew that its so fascinating. I'll have to check the labels of strawberry batches in the future to see where they come from. By the way have you realised that this envelope has no stamps on, its quite something to receive an envelope like this.

To continue with the theme of food I received this yummy looking postcard. You have Pirozhki in the picture with the cockerel which actually reminds me of Samosas, I'll have to look them up to see if they are a similar thing. The 2nd picture is smoked sheep cheese which I never knew there was such a thing but doesn't is look so interesting and the detail on it would have me starring at it rather then eating it... lastly salty water pickle. I know I would enjoy that as I just don't like the English style gerkins etc.... its just not my thing.

 

Of course it didn't stop at the postcards but 3 little note papers full of information and favourites which I enjoyed reading but you can't see as they are for my eyes only!

Last of all I received some wiggly eyes or in my nieces case... googly eyes. As soon as she saw them she asked me to get up and go and get something from upstairs so that she can make some puppets. Seeing no response from me she went to attack her socks in the hope of making sock puppets only to realise that she has tights on, she hasn't worn tights for years but my sister bought a pack for Pakistan so is making her wear them. My sister has made sock puppets with her using some eyes I gave. Weirdly at that point my sister phoned to say she was in a store that sold good childrens things so I asked her to look up a craft kit of something I can make with my niece but unfortuately she didn't find anything. Whilst telling my sister this my niece told me I have lots of things upstairs! Goodness even she's noticed I've got way too many craft supplies. I will have to now think of something my niece can make as she's not a child that easily forgets.

 

I'm really quite enjoying these mini letters and can't wait to come up with my next theme.

Sarah Crossan~The Weight of Water~

Read: On Kindle

Paid: 99p

Reason I choose it: It was part of the Kindle Spring Sale, the reviews were good on it but most of all I'd never read a book written in verses.

Summary
Kasienka's and her mother travel from Poland to England in search of her father who walked out on them some time ago. They had no idea where he had gone until one day her mother received a letter from him and she looked at the postmark which is where the decision came to make the journey to Coventry to look for him.... Her mothers idea of looking was to buy a map from a charity shop and to knock on every single door crossing off where they did not find him....

In the mean time Kasienka's heart is breaking as she's been put a year behind in school, she has no friends, everything is grey and the studio flat  they are living in isn't welcoming. She just wants to go back to Poland.  Her only solace is to go to the local swimming bath to swim where she spots a boy 2 years above at the swimming pool which eventually turns into a great friendship.....

She eventually proves herself at school and is moved up to the correct year group, there she is welcomed into a group but just as suddenly is casted out without any real reason which leaves her feeling lonely and confused. She eventually stands up for herself when she proves she is just as good as any of the children in her class.....

My opinion
I was at the point of not buying this book but I'm so glad I did as for a short story it was packed with all the things most teens experience in their life.... change of school, bullying, separation, a parent lost to illnesses, relationships etc...

It also was quite nice reading the book in verses as it was quick paced, got straight to the point in a few lines and moved on. Before I knew it the book had finished.

I think this book should be used as part of the school curriculum with it having covered so many topics but mostly because it will help many children understand how they may make people feel when they are new to the country or school. I also think every teacher should read it as many points I have noticed in schools, one being saying childrens names wrong or just choosing to call them a name that suits them because they can't be bothered pronouncing the name properly.

Rating