BABA'S MACEDONIAN SOCKS

This is nice review of the Macedonian children's book, in English. I remember my Baba singing it to me. It can be purchased at the Canadian Macedonian Historical Society.

BABA'S MACEDONIAN SOCKS:

Gigeroff, Alex K.
Illustrated by Alex K. Gigeroff and Hugh Eamon

Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8

Reviewed by Catherine McInerney

Volume 22 Number 2
1994 March / April

In this unusual tale, a Macedonian baba knits two wonderful pairs of brightly coloured socks for her grandchildren. The grandchildren are unsure whether they want to wear the socks or to save them for special occasions. They seek the advice of the Old Wise Shepherd in the woods. He shows them scenes from their grandparents' past, and plays traditional music and teaches them a song and dance. The children return to their grandparents' house and demonstrate what they have learned about their culture.

The baba and dedo are realistically and lovingly portrayed, little arguments and all. The text is lightly peppered with Greek words, but not so many that it detracts from the story.

The fantasy encounter with the mythical Old Wise Shepherd is wonderfully imaginative and colourful. The shepherd is drawn in a rough and wild way. The illustrations swirl with the Macedonian folk music and dance. The lively colours of the socks help to make it seem as if t"