About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels overshadowed by a sibling's success or burdened by the pressure to excel in a specific, narrow way. This illustrated memoir follows young Yevgeny, who lives in a cramped Soviet apartment where space and secrets are equally tight. While his family pushes for him to be a star athlete or a ballet dancer, Yevgeny discovers his own voice through art drawn on the only canvas he has: the underside of the kitchen table. Through a lens of humor and poignant honesty, the story explores themes of identity, creative resilience, and the complexities of loving a family that doesn't always see you for who you are. It is a brilliant tool for normalizing feelings of 'not fitting in' while providing a historical perspective on life behind the Iron Curtain. Suitable for ages 9 to 14, it offers a gentle yet profound look at finding one's path under restrictive circumstances.
