“Ruth David was growing up in a small village in Germany when Adolf Hitler rose to power in the 1930s. Under the Nazi Party, Jewish families like Ruth’s experienced rising anti-Semitic restrictions and attacks. Just going to school became dangerous. By November 1938, anti-Semitism erupted into Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, and unleashed a wave of violence and forced arrests. Days later, desperate volunteers sprang into action to organize the Kindertransport, a rescue effort to bring Jewish children to England. Young people like Ruth David had to say good-bye to their families, unsure if they’d ever be reunited. Miles from home, the Kindertransport refugees entered unrecognizable lives, where food, clothes — and, for many of them, language and religion — were startlingly new. Meanwhile, the onset of war and the Holocaust visited unimaginable horrors on loved ones left behind. Somehow, these rescued children had to learn to look forward, to hope. Through the moving and often heart-wrenching personal accounts of Kindertransport survivors, critically acclaimed and award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson paints the timely and devastating story of how the rise of Hitler and the Nazis tore apart the lives of so many families and what they were forced to give up in order to save these children”–
Europe
Materials from Europe
The Tooth Fairy
In the wordless storyboard format and soft pastel drawings that have become his trademark, Peter Collington offers an enchanting solution to the age-old mystery of what the tooth fairy does with all those teeth! He follows an industrious tooth fairy on an arduous night’s work of creating a perfect silver coin and exchanging it for a precious baby tooth. Back in her cozy parlor, she lovingly transforms her prize into a new ivory key for her broken piano, then sits down to play a tune. The trade edition includes a make-it-yourself tooth box for commemorating a milestone of every childhood–losing the first baby tooth.
Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story Of The First Hot-Air Balloon Ride
The story of the historic first hot-air balloon flight in 1783, told from the point of view of the duck, sheep, and rooster who were the first passengers.
Creepy Castle
Full and half-page watercolors depict the adventures of a brave, knightly mouse and his fair lady who venture into a dark, deserted castle, unaware that a villainous outlaw has been skulking behind them. Reissue.
Picture This…
In this first word book for the very young, the simple format and primitive-style paintings invite children to participate. Watchful readers will note that each turn of a page reveals a new perspective on what has come before–and what’s to follow. The effect invites imaginative storytelling. Full color.
The Surprise Picnic
Enchanting, vivid watercolor paintings chronicle the adventures of a cat and her two kittens, after their picnic basket mysteriously vanishes while they explore a small island, in a new edition of the acclaimed wordless picture book. Reissue.
The Midnight Circus
A young boy’s favorite mechanical horse comes to life and carries him to a circus for a night of adventure and stardom.
Shrewbettina’s Birthday
In a picture book with no words, Shrewbettina’s birthday has an unfortunate start when a thief snatches her purse, but it ends with a glorious birthday party filled with feasting, dancing, and merriment.
Naughty Nancy
Nancy, a mischievous, venturesome little mouse, creates a series of entertaining crises during her sister’s wedding and reception, in a wordless picture book featuring charming watercolor illustrations. Reissue.
The Red Abbey Chronicles-Maresi
Only women and girls are allowed in the Red Abbey, a haven from abuse and oppression. Maresi, a thirteen-year-old novice there, arrived in the hunger winter and now lives a happy life in the Abbey, protected by the Mother and reveling in the vast library in the House of Knowledge, her favorite place. Into this idyllic existence comes Jai, a girl with a dark past. She has escaped her home after witnessing the killing of her beloved sister. Soon the dangers of the outside world follow Jai into the sacred space of the Abbey, and Maresi can no longer hide in books and words but must become one who acts. Bound for international success, Maresi will be published in 15 territories around the world!