Children's book celebrates Ukrainian Christmas

Mutala was at Westview School in Estevan on December 15. She read excerpts of her first book, "Baba's Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Christmas," which is a fast-selling and award-winning historical fiction book for children.

She also discussed the elements of a Ukrainian Christmas celebration, shared some of her family's traditions for Ukrainian Christmas, taught the children a few words in Ukrainian, and answered questions from the audience.

"It's a story of Natalya, who's out playing in the snow, when it starts snowing babushkas," said Mutala. "One lands on her hand, takes her back (in time) to Ukraine, and she meets her baba as a little girl. Her baba teaches her all about the Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper, which has many historical traditions."

Baba is the Ukrainian word for grandmother. A babushka is a type of Ukrainian scarf.

Wendy Siemens created the illustrations for the story.

A fan of "Aladdin and the 40 Thieves," Mutala knew that she couldn't use a magic carpet to transport Natalya back in time. So she opted for a popular item in Ukraine, the babushka, to send Natalya to the past.

Mutala remains proud of her Ukrainian roots. Her mother's parents were part of the first wave of immigrants who came to Saskatchewan from Ukraine in 1912. They arrived in Saskatoon, and then moved to Hafford, which is about an hour northwest of Saskatoon.

Mutala's mother grew up in Hafford, and part of "Baba's Babushka" is set in the small town.

"The house is still standing that my grandparents and that my mother lived in, and also it's in the story," said Mutala. "So the pictures are unique to my story, because they're based on my family. So my Mom's the baba in this story, I'm the little girl Natalya, and my grandparents are right in this story."

The novel has exceeded her expectations. It has sold more than 3,500 copies, and it is now on its second printing.

Last year it was the top-selling children's book at the McNally Robinson book store, even though it wasn't released until October. It will be the top-selling children's book at McNally Robinson again this year.

"It's just been phenomenal," said Mutala. "It's been a year of fun."

It was also the third-best selling book among all genres at McNally Robinson in 2010.

Canada's Ukrainian community has noticed the success of "Baba's Babushka." Mutala was the winner of the Ukrainian Development Resource Centre's Anna Pidruchney Award for New Writers. The award is presented to a story with Ukrainian Canadian characters, or for a story that is based on a Ukrainian Canadian theme.

People need to be aware of their family's history, Mutala said, and they need to celebrate their backgrounds.

"I think we all want to find out our roots of where we came from," said Mutala.

In 2009, she travelled to the western Ukraine to learn more about her family, and to see where her grandparents came from.

Her family's Ukrainian Christmas celebration is filled with traditions. Most of them come from Ukraine.

"Family is very important to us. We don't focus on the presents part," said Mutala. "We focus on coming together, and being with family, and singing, and eating and having fun."

Words are creatively written, in Ukrainian, on her family's tablecloth for the kitchen table and on the dinner plates. The kitchen table features an empty spot that is set in honour of ancestors who have passed on.

There are other symbols, such as the single wheat chaff that represent the Ukrainians' agricultural background. Mutala's parents and grandparents were farmers, and many people who relocated from Ukraine to Canada were also in the agriculture sector.

Two candles are lit. One is at the table; it represents Jesus Christ's love for the world. The other is next to a window.

"It's symbolic of the homeless," said Mutala. "If they have no place to eat, they could come and join us for supper."

But they have to wait until they see the first star in the sky before they can light a candle.

An ornament with a spider and a web are hung on the Christmas tree for good luck.

Her accounts of the food served at Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper on January 6 each year drew a particularly energetic reaction from the Westview students. Many of the foods that are served are very traditional, including the borsch, perogies, cabbage rolls and bread. But others are unique to her family, since they are family favourites.

Speaking to students about her heritage comes easily for Mutala. She was a teacher for 30 years. She still views herself as a teacher, but it's a different kind of teaching now.

The success of her first book has created additional opportunities for publishing. Mutala will release two more children's books next year: "Baba's Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Easter," and "Baba's Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Wedding." Siemens will be the illustrator for both.

Mutala also has plans for a fourth book, and for a murder-mystery novel.