Bittersweet: Based on the True Tale of the Berlin Candy Bombers

(Hardback)

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Description

Soar into the tender true story of how one airman inspired a movement by airdropping little parachutes of candy to kids trapped in occupied Berlin in this nonfiction picture book ode to everyday acts of kindness.

How far can a small kindness reach How much of a difference can two sticks of gum make

Colonel Gail Halvorsen was a pilot in the United States Air Force delivering supplies to West Berlin when it was blockaded by the Soviets. One day he approached children gathered outside the airport with two leftover sticks of gum. One day, he approached children gathered outside the airport with two leftover sticks of gum. After sharing the gum through the fence, he watched in surprise as they passed the wrappers around so everyone could sniff the minty smell.

Inspired by the childrens kindness and sympathetic to the way blockades were cutting off their access to simple pleasures like sweets, Halvorsen began airdropping candy, using his own rations and wiggling his wings to alert the kids below that it was time for treats. When a package of chocolates literally dropped on a reporters head, news quickly spread of Uncle Wiggly Wings or the Berlin Candy Bomber.

Soon, Halvorsens Operation Little Vittlesborn of one mans courage to be kindgrew to include other pilots and donations from American families and ended up dropping over twenty tons of candy to the children of war-torn Berlin.

Author Bio

Christy Mandin is a childrens book author, illustrator, and surface designer. She grew up in rural Georgia and credits her country life of solitude as an only child for much of her love of books and nature. Youll find this love of nature along with nostalgia, magic, and whimsy woven into the fabric of her art. Christy works mostly digitally now that she has tiny humans underfoot. When she isnt drawing, she can be found quilting, gardening, or cozied up with a cup of coffee and the latest period drama on BBC or PBS. Christy currently lives in Georgia with her husband, four children, and a menagerie of animals and insects. Visit her at ChristyMandin.com.