Ukraine

Children's Literature - Scott S. Floyd

In January 1992, Ukraine became a free nation no longer a region. Ukraine has a population of approximately 52 million people and is roughly the size of Texas. The citizens of Ukraine always felt like they had a country and life of their own. Now it is a reality. This text takes readers back to the time of Ukraine's first inhabitants around 150,000 BC, then moves forward to its independence. Oksana Baiul, pysanky, and a manger scene created within a home with live animals are just a few of the interesting people and cultural facts brought to light. As a source for students undertaking research, this book is a good choice, especially since it contains timelines, pictures, maps, as well as social and political commentary. This book is part of the "Nations in Transition" series.

School Library Journal

Gr 7 UpBoth of these books have introductory chapters on history followed by individual sections on government, religion, economy, culture, cities, and daily life. Present problems and potential future solutions are discussed in the concluding chapters. Otfinoski spends less time describing the transition period than Michael Kort does in Russia (Facts On File, 1998), a book in the same series; instead he includes a chapter on cities that reads like an upbeat travel guide. This may confuse readers because its optimism seems to clash with information elsewhere about economic difficulties. There are also a few serious internal contradictions and errors. In Ukraine, for example, readers are first told that after the breakup of the Soviet Union, The loss of Russia as a trading partner was a deep blow to the Ukrainian economy, whereas later it is correctly stated that Russia is still Ukraines number one trade partner. Its a shame because the book does have sparks of good writing. Each volume has somewhat lackluster black-and-white illustrations and photos, a useful chronology from prehistoric times through August 1998, and a short list of suggested readings.Elizabeth Talbot, University of Illinois, Champaign Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.