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Marie's Magic Eggs

How Marie Procai Kept the Ukrainian Art of Pysanky Alive

Author Sandra Neil Wallace
Illustrated by Evan Turk
Hardcover
$19.99 US
Astra Publishing House | Calkins Creek
9"W x 9"H | 20 oz | 12 per carton
On sale Feb 10, 2026 | 48 Pages | 9781662680694
Age 7-10 years | Grades 2-5
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

Here is the inspiring story of the woman who kept alive the Ukrainian art of pysanky Easter eggs and brought it to America.

Award-winning creators Sandra Neil Wallace and Evan Turk team up for a richly illustrated picture book biography for kids ages 7–10 who love arts and crafts.

As a new immigrant to America, Marie Procai felt homesick and alone—she missed her homeland, Ukraine. She took comfort in the ancient Ukrainian art of making pysanky, intricately decorated eggs for Easter, an art she learned from her grandmother and brought with her to America. Cradling the pysanka in her hands felt like holding a piece of her homeland and giving her Baba a hug.

Making pysanky made Marie feel a little more hopeful when the Russia’s Red Army invaded Ukraine and forbade anyone from speaking Ukrainian or practicing their traditions, pysanky included. It sustained her spirit when her son was off fighting in World War II, and again when she welcomed Ukrainian refugees into her home after the war. A hardworking entrepreneur, Marie founded the Ukrainian Gift Shop in Minneapolis to keep Ukrainian culture alive in America and share it with everyone.

The legend goes that as long as pysanky are decorated, there will be good in the world. Ukrainian-heritage author Sandra Neil Wallace and award-winning illustrator Evan Turk share this hopeful story of the woman who fought to preserve an essential part of Ukrainian culture.
★"An immigrant preserves, then elevates, a fragile, centuries-old art. Baba teaches Marie to craft Easter 'pysanky—beautiful, decorated eggs—in the same way Ukrainians had done since ancient times.' Grandmother and grandchild labor over homemade dyes and fresh chicken eggs, painstakingly etching with beeswax the intricate and symbolic designs. Each pysanka is 'a story, a wish, a prayer, a gift,' 'for the legend goes that as long as pysanky are decorated, there will be good in the world.'... Extensive backmatter includes a note on Wallace’s Ukrainian heritage and the real-life Marie Sokol Procai, and cultural respect rings through thoughtful elements including complex embroidered fabrics and recurring motifs like wheat and sunflowers. A proud and meticulously wrought ethnography."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “This heartfelt biographical picture book exemplifies art as a form of resistance. The life of Marie Procai—a Ukrainian immigrant, renowned folk artist, mother, and cornerstone of Ukrainian cultural heritage—is detailed in intricate illustrations reminiscent of the patterns and techniques of pysanky, the traditional Ukrainian art of decorating eggs that Marie preserved and revitalized. Brilliant yellows and blues nod to the Ukrainian flag, and sunflowers symbolize hope and resistance. The mesmerizing illustrations will reveal a new surprise with every read.”—Foreword Reviews, starred review

★"Turk’s stylized illustrations, with vibrant colors and intricate patterns, showcase typical pysanka designs and other Ukrainian traditions. Scenes with Procai in action with her special pysanka tools also help readers understand how these Easter eggs are created. Extensive back matter, including numerous period photos, offers more information on Procai’s resilience and entrepreneurship, how to make pysanky, and the pysanka legend. A gorgeous tribute to this unique art form and its North American promoter."—Booklist, starred review
© Will Wrobel
Sandra Neil Wallace had a lengthy career as a news anchor and ESPN sportscaster before writing realistic fiction and nonfiction for young readers. A pioneer in the journalism field, she was the first woman to cover the National Hockey League on network TV. Selected as a promising new voice in children's literature by The Horn Book, Wallace's titles have been named to state and national awards lists including Bank Street College's Best Children's Book of the Year, ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, and Booklist's Top 10 Sports Books for Youth. Visit sandraneilwallace.com. View titles by Sandra Neil Wallace
© Tate Tullier
Evan Turk is an award-winning author, illustrator, and fine artist. His titles include Muddy by Michael Mahin, which was a New York Times Best illustrated book; The People’s Painter by Cynthia Levinson, which won the Robert F. Sibert Medal; and, most recently, To See Clearly, which received 3 starred reviews. He lives in Riverside, CA. Visit evanturk.squarespace.com. View titles by Evan Turk

About

Here is the inspiring story of the woman who kept alive the Ukrainian art of pysanky Easter eggs and brought it to America.

Award-winning creators Sandra Neil Wallace and Evan Turk team up for a richly illustrated picture book biography for kids ages 7–10 who love arts and crafts.

As a new immigrant to America, Marie Procai felt homesick and alone—she missed her homeland, Ukraine. She took comfort in the ancient Ukrainian art of making pysanky, intricately decorated eggs for Easter, an art she learned from her grandmother and brought with her to America. Cradling the pysanka in her hands felt like holding a piece of her homeland and giving her Baba a hug.

Making pysanky made Marie feel a little more hopeful when the Russia’s Red Army invaded Ukraine and forbade anyone from speaking Ukrainian or practicing their traditions, pysanky included. It sustained her spirit when her son was off fighting in World War II, and again when she welcomed Ukrainian refugees into her home after the war. A hardworking entrepreneur, Marie founded the Ukrainian Gift Shop in Minneapolis to keep Ukrainian culture alive in America and share it with everyone.

The legend goes that as long as pysanky are decorated, there will be good in the world. Ukrainian-heritage author Sandra Neil Wallace and award-winning illustrator Evan Turk share this hopeful story of the woman who fought to preserve an essential part of Ukrainian culture.

Praise

★"An immigrant preserves, then elevates, a fragile, centuries-old art. Baba teaches Marie to craft Easter 'pysanky—beautiful, decorated eggs—in the same way Ukrainians had done since ancient times.' Grandmother and grandchild labor over homemade dyes and fresh chicken eggs, painstakingly etching with beeswax the intricate and symbolic designs. Each pysanka is 'a story, a wish, a prayer, a gift,' 'for the legend goes that as long as pysanky are decorated, there will be good in the world.'... Extensive backmatter includes a note on Wallace’s Ukrainian heritage and the real-life Marie Sokol Procai, and cultural respect rings through thoughtful elements including complex embroidered fabrics and recurring motifs like wheat and sunflowers. A proud and meticulously wrought ethnography."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “This heartfelt biographical picture book exemplifies art as a form of resistance. The life of Marie Procai—a Ukrainian immigrant, renowned folk artist, mother, and cornerstone of Ukrainian cultural heritage—is detailed in intricate illustrations reminiscent of the patterns and techniques of pysanky, the traditional Ukrainian art of decorating eggs that Marie preserved and revitalized. Brilliant yellows and blues nod to the Ukrainian flag, and sunflowers symbolize hope and resistance. The mesmerizing illustrations will reveal a new surprise with every read.”—Foreword Reviews, starred review

★"Turk’s stylized illustrations, with vibrant colors and intricate patterns, showcase typical pysanka designs and other Ukrainian traditions. Scenes with Procai in action with her special pysanka tools also help readers understand how these Easter eggs are created. Extensive back matter, including numerous period photos, offers more information on Procai’s resilience and entrepreneurship, how to make pysanky, and the pysanka legend. A gorgeous tribute to this unique art form and its North American promoter."—Booklist, starred review

Author

© Will Wrobel
Sandra Neil Wallace had a lengthy career as a news anchor and ESPN sportscaster before writing realistic fiction and nonfiction for young readers. A pioneer in the journalism field, she was the first woman to cover the National Hockey League on network TV. Selected as a promising new voice in children's literature by The Horn Book, Wallace's titles have been named to state and national awards lists including Bank Street College's Best Children's Book of the Year, ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, and Booklist's Top 10 Sports Books for Youth. Visit sandraneilwallace.com. View titles by Sandra Neil Wallace
© Tate Tullier
Evan Turk is an award-winning author, illustrator, and fine artist. His titles include Muddy by Michael Mahin, which was a New York Times Best illustrated book; The People’s Painter by Cynthia Levinson, which won the Robert F. Sibert Medal; and, most recently, To See Clearly, which received 3 starred reviews. He lives in Riverside, CA. Visit evanturk.squarespace.com. View titles by Evan Turk

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