Gina from Siberia

 Inspired by the true story of the Backers, a family of Russian immigrants who, in 1978, ferried their beloved miniature wire-haired fox terrier from the former Soviet Union to the United States, Gina from Siberia confronts the sometimes scary and often disorienting experiences of our pets as they move through life’s changes and challenges with us.
   
   Mother-daughter writing team Jane Bernstein (SOA Writing 1977) and Charlotte Glynn (SOA Film 2013) give voice to Gina’s concerns about leaving the snowy banks of the urbane and industrious Novosibirsk, where she can romp in the park with her best friend Gaidar, for parts unknown. For her beloved humans—Mama, Papa, Paul and baby Danny—Gina is a valued member of the family. As they embark on their journey, Gina experiences the entire 5,681-mile trip, through Moscow, Vienna, Rome, and finally New York. Mama even dresses Gina up as a baby to avoid pesky customs agents who say that dogs aren’t allowed on trains!
   
   They finally arrive to the noise, chaos and smells of the Big Apple, where Gina despairs from her vantage point on the new apartment’s fire escape. That is, until she meets big dog Victor, who introduces her pizza.
   
   Gina’s journey comes to life through the vivid, whimsical illustrations of Moscow-based artist Anna Desnitskaya. Both imaginative and steeped in telling details—like snowfall rendered as confetti—Desnitskaya’s drawings capture the nuances of place and family from a dog’s point of view. Among the streets, parks, trains, planes and subways, she evokes the movement of everyday people and life—ultimately bringing the reader and Gina home.
   

janebernstein.net