Genre: Picture book, biography
Winner of the 1996 Silver Birch and Red Cedar Awards
The mystery of Anastasia, daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, is an enthralling and curious subject. Did she really survive the slaughter of her entire family? No one truly knows for certain. This picture book by Hugh Brewster examines her life from birth to (possible) death. It includes facts about her family, her father's rule, and the state of Russia at the time. It is written in such a way that is easy for children to read without being bombarded with information. It also includes many family pictures which bring the mysterious Anastasia to life.
The book is divided into five sections: Babyhood, A Life Apart, Imperial Retreats, The War Years, and Revolution. It is obvious that the author has done an extensive amount of research to remain true to history. As with any good biography he simply tells the facts and does not insert any of his own personal opinions. He paints the picture of a typical young girl. Although she dresses in fine gowns and is the daughter of a tsar, Anastasia feels like any other child. She goes to school, plays with her siblings, draws pictures, rides her bike, and enjoys making her family laugh. She is a very relatable character to any young child. In reading this biography, I gained a sense of compassion for the tsar's children trying to live their lives as normally as possible. The entire family seemed unpretentious and caring, despite the misguided actions of the tsar.
The book reads as a scrapbook. There are pictures, quotes and excerpts from letters randomly inserted on every page. The layout is not formal which is appealing to children (as it is to me). It makes me feel as though I am stepping into Anastasia's life, gaining a unique look at her world through family photographs. This also reaffirms the normal family life she lead.
As the book progresses so begins the downward spiral of her father's rule which eventually results in their exil and death. Despite the unbiased view of the author, it is difficult not to feel anguish for helpless Anastasia and her siblings. Having looked through countless photographs and read snippets of her personal letters, you feel as though you know her and her family. The epilogue which describes the execution would be somewhat disturbing for young children, especially since it shows a picture of the bullet holes in the wall where they were killed.
In the end, the mystery of Anastasia remains. This biography not only educates the reader on historical events but also entices and enthralls with the secrecy surrounding her death, encouraging us to read futher into her life and possible untimely end.
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