Rosie's Dream Cape

By Zelda Freedman

Based on a true story, this charming juvenile novel tells of how eleven-year-old Rosie and her grandmother Bubba Sarah arrive in Toronto from Russia after fleeing one of the purges that carried away Rosie's mother, a famous Russian dancer. To help make ends meet, Rosie works in Yitzy's factory sewing velvet capes for Eatons, all the while dreaming of making such a cape from scraps, and wearing it to Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre.Although Yitzy warns Rosie, "don't steal the scraps," she cannot resist, and each evening when she dumps the scraps in the garbage, she hides the best ones in her apron. At home, she sews her cape. One of the girls sees Rosie stealing scraps, and threatens to tell. Frightened, Rosie returns the cape and confesses. Yitzy is furious. Since he needs his order of capes finished by Christmas, and Rosie is the best "finisher," he makes her work late, work Sundays, and withholds her pay.Then things get worse. The inspectors show up, and Rosie is faced with tremendous obstacles. However, by her own hard work, and a stroke of luck, Rosie's dream comes true. And Yitzy delivers his capes on time to Eatons. This tale provides a wonderful insight into how an immigrant child survives with her values and dreams intact despite the harsh working conditions of a 1921 garment factory.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1553800257
• ISBN13: 9781553800255
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Ronsdale Press
• Length: 116 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 4 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 7

Customer Reviews

Rosie's Dream Cape

This is a fictionalized version of the author's mother's early life when she emigrated from Odessa, Russia to Toronto in 1921. At the age of 11, Rosie worked as a "finisher" in a sweatshop factory in Toronto's garment district. Yitzy, the boss, yelled at the workers not to steal the scraps left from the capes and evening wraps they sewed for rich ladies and for Eaton's Department Store. Rosie wanted to make a cape like the one worn by her ballerina mother, who was killed by the Cossacks before Rosie and her grandmother Bubba Sarah fled to Toronto. She couldn't understand why scraps were wasted in the garbage, and when she swept them up, took some to make her cape. She wanted to wear it to the Royal Alexandra Theatre where on Sunday, her day off, she watched people entering to see the ballet, which she had attended in Russia. to see her mother perform. Readers will enjoy reading how Rosie deals with Yitzy when she confesses to stealing the scraps to make her cape, and how she ultimately gets invited to see the ballet at the Theatre. The loving relationship with her grandmother is well developed, and the author shows them celebrating the Sabbath. Freedman ends by telling how Rosie became a union organizer, helping to make the working conditions at Yitzy's factory safer. The reader will learn some history of Toronto's Jewish neighborhoods, including the Kensington Market, which "everyone called the Jewish People's Market." Black and white detailed illustrations and Rosie's resourceful character show readers how immigrant children had to work instead of attending school. This could be used as a discussion starter, as Freedman notes in her introduction that "there are still sweatshops hidden all over the world where young children slave over sewing machines." For ages: 9-12. Reviewed by Andrea Davidson

Rosie's Dream Cape

I was curious about this book after reading the other review. I bought the book and couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Rosie's Dream Cape is delightful book that left me wanting to know more about Rosie. Like what happened to Rosie as she matured into adulthood. I would highly recommend this book to children and adults.

A fantastic tale based on a true story

This book is a wonderfully written story. It is very sensitive, and leads you on an emotional journey of heartbreak and joy. It is told through the eyes of Rosie, an 11 year old immigrant girl from Russia who lands up working in a sweatshop sewing velvet capes. Her dream of wearing a cape to the Ballet comes true through her hard work and a stroke of good fortune. A must read for all ages.