St. Louis County Library Presents Children's Book Author Patricia Polacco, 9/9

The St. Louis County Library Foundation's Reading Garden Event Series presents a special event with beloved children's book writer Patricia Polacco on Monday, September 9, 6:30 p.m. at Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. Polacco will read from her new picture book "The Blessing Cup." The program is free and open to the public.

Copies of the authors' books will be for sale at the event from Classroom Library Company.

Patricia Polacco told her great-grandmother's story of coming to America as a child in the beloved classic "The Keeping Quilt." Now, in this companion book, Patricia tells about Great-Grandmother Anna's life before leaving Russia and about the legacy of the family's china tea set.

As a young girl in Russia in the early 1900s, Anna can't understand why the czar's soldiers are always so mean and angry. Then one night Papa tells the family that the czar has ordered all Jewish people to leave Russia. Anna wonders what their new life in America will be like.

The family takes very little with them but a few holy books, the menorah, and the tea set that her parents received as a wedding present with this note: "This tea set is magic. Anyone who drinks from it has a blessing from God." Through illness, travel, hardship, and friendship the family endures. And the tea set reminds them of the blessings of family and the richness of being with one another.

"The Blessing Cup" is a story of family, tradition, and, most of all, love. The tea cup from the original set in the story is still in Patricia Polacco's family today.

Patricia Polacco belongs to a family of storytellers, poets, farmers, teachers and artists. They came from many parts of the world, but mainly Russia. She grew up to be an illustrator, a designer, and creator of many beloved children's books, including "The Trees of the Dancing Goats," "Babushka's Doll," and "My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother."

St. Louis County Library Foundation's Reading Garden Event Series hosts free family events with authors and musicians. Sponsors include Commerce Bank, Companion, and the Sara Guth Costigan Memorial Fund.

Program sites are accessible. Upon two week notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Contact St. Louis County Library by phone 314-994-3300 or visit http://www.slcl.org.

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