Author: Edith Tarbescu

Illustrated by Lydia Dabcovich

Pubolisher: Clarion Books 1998

ISBN 0-395-64366-X               

The following review was contributed by:  Lily Azerad-Goldman &CLICK TO VIEW Lily Azerad-Goldman's Reviews 

Coming to America is the theme for ANNUSHKA’S VOYAGE authored by Edith
Tarbescu and illustrated by Lydia Dabcovich. It focuses on the life
story of the author’s mother.

The plot is a simple one. Anya (nicknamed Annushka by her grandfather)
and Tanya, two little sisters are waiting with trepidation for the
steerage tickets that will take them from pogrom torn Russia to their
father in America. Supposedly their life will be good in America,
however, they must leave behind their grandparents.

The author is successful in penning credible characters. I
particularly liked the following sentence uttered by the thirteen year
old Annushka: “I could tell grandma was sad, so I hugged her and said:
I’ll write every day and draw funny pictures…” expressing her mixed
feelings of sadness and happiness at the moment of departure.

Ms Tarbescu has captured the feelings of anxiety, separation and
reunion with great simplicity without falling into over
sentimentality. One can only imagine the fear and loneliness of two
little girls traveling by themselves, let alone crossing an ocean and
arriving at the processing melée of Ellis Island.

Hope for a bright future never fades. Annushka is the big sister who
keeps up the necessary courage for herself and her little sister, with
the help of the Sabbath candles given to them by their grand mother.

The illustrations by Lydia Dabcovich are true to the text. Ink lines
emphasize the expressive drawings and white gouache provides the right
highlights in simple strokes. The illustrator is a master of
perspective. The illustration on p.18 when the immigrants on the boat
get their first sighting of Ellis Island is very striking. The little
girls’ expressions are precious throughout the book as well as the
faces of the grandparents and the father.

ANNUSHKA’S VOYAGE is a homage to the people who were left behind in
Russia, surrounded by the dangers of pogroms and anti-Semitism and to
the new immigrants. It is a charming telling of an immigrant
experience and is a must read for people of all ages.