Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, my friends! I can’t believe it is the end of March…my round the world adventure is winding down…I’m off to Italy in a couple of days and will be reporting to you via social media from the Bologna Book Fair.
But right now, I’m thrilled to bring you what I think will be one of the star new releases of 2019. I received a copy of this book last month and fell in love with it. Using just the right words, the author, Andria Rosenbaum, managed to write a beautiful story about the horribly difficult topic of the Holocaust and the effect it had on everyone, but especially on children.
HAND IN HAND
Written by Andria Rosenbaum
Illustrated by Maya Shleifer
Published by Apples and Honey Press (2019)
Ages: 8-12
Themes: Loss, Separation, Holocaust
Synopsis: It’s wartime and when their mother goes out in search of food but doesn’t return, two young bunnies are taken to an orphanage where Lieb is adopted, leaving Ruthie behind. As they say their goodbyes, Ruthie rips a picture of them in half and gives one piece to her little brother, telling him she will never forget him.
Opening lines: “Mama had a smile sweeter than strawberries in summer. So did my little brother Leib.”
Why I love this book:
- This is a gentle telling of a brutal story…I don’t know how Andria was able to do that – but I am going to study this book as a mentor text because she found a way to deal with a terrible topic – the Holocaust – in a way that is appropriate for children to hear.
- The genius of the illustrator who depicted the children as bunnies – and the art is amazing – plus the words themselves, because of the various fonts used, are part of the art.
- The language is hauntingly lyrical, yet powerful and the ending is filled with hope.
To connect with the author or find out more about her many wonderful books:
www.andriawarmflashrosenbaum.com
HAND IN HAND, Apples & Honey Press, Behrman House 2019
BIG SISTER, LITTLE MONSTER, Scholastic Press 2017
TRAINS DON’T SLEEP, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2017
MEG GOLDBERG ON PARADE, Kar-Ben Publishing 2015
A GRANDMA LIKE YOURS/ A GRANDPA LIKE YOURS, Kar-Ben Publishing, 2006
TWO SWEET PEAS, Bebop Books, Lee & Low Inc., 2006
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Make a bunny finger puppet for role playing and discussion
This is an exceptionally easy finger puppet to make…you just need a piece of paper, scissors, glue, markers. Make a few with your child and then enact the story.
Participate in The Butterfly Project: https://www.hmh.org/ed_butterfly1.shtm
Lesson plans for older grades: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons-plans/holocaust-day-of-remembrance-lesson-plans-and-activities/
There is also a curriculum guide for this book on the author’s website: http://www.andriawarmflashrosenbaum.com/events.htm
On the dedication page, the author provides several ideas for parents and teachers – children should be encouraged to ask questions and discuss feelings as the story is read.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has a list of various groups of people who, since World War II, have been, at one time or another, systematically eliminated in their countries: https://www.ushmm.org/mobile/confront-genocide/cases-of-genocide
What can we do? Be informed. Create an atmosphere for children of inclusivity and understanding. Teach children that if they see someone being bullied, they should not just stand by. And read books like HAND IN HAND.
Thanks to the generosity of author Andria Rosenbaum, we have a giveaway of a copy of this must-read book. Please leave a comment for your chance to win.
As always, dear friends, I’m grateful for the time you all spend here.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Children feel so deeply. We can’t ignore the tough parts of life. What a tremendous challenge that Andrea and Maya took on to share a brutal part of our history. I admire their efforts, especially their gift with words and art. Their important book will certainly be on my shelf! Thank you, Vivian, for posting the applause for this release. Right now, I’m working on a PB story based on an experience that my mother had as a young child. Other children threw stones and ugly names at her while she walked home from school. Her parents couldn’t speak English well. They had come from Yugoslavia through Ellis Island. I want to capture the fear and hope that my mother had as a child. With the many real immigrant stories in the news, my mother’s story is timeless. Sending good thoughts your way as you wind up your travels.
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Thank you for featuring this book. It sounds like a must read.
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I have an author friend that was hoping to create a word-less picture book on the Holocaust. This is such an important part
of our history that needs to be learned and remembered. Introducing this topic for our younger kids is a great start. Thank you.
I would love to earn a copy of this book and share with my teacher friends to introduce to their younger students.
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I just want to thank you each for your kind words. Writing a PB rooted in the Holocaust is daunting. Watching behind the scenes as it goes out into the world is terrifying. But I wrote this book for the voiceless. For those innocent souls who had their world taken. I hope you all will have a chance to read it and share it with children. They are tomorrow.
They are Hope.
Thank you, thank you for your support!
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Sounds like a great read.
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Vivian, this does sound wonderful. I got goosebumps reading the first line. Thanks for sharing.
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This sounds like a tender way to share a scary-horrible story. Thank you for your review – I know this is one book I am going to have to look for.
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Wow, what an impressive achievement to be able to make such a horrifying topic accessible to children. Seems like a vital addition to children’s literature and a great way to talk about difficult subjects with children.
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What an art to be able to tackle such a topic and make it for children! It will open many conversations for parents and children. Congratulations.
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This story sounds so good, and such an important topic, but I am afraid I will bawl like a baby if I read it.
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