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  • Let the Celebrations Begin: A Story of Hope for the Liberation

Let the Celebrations Begin: A Story of Hope for the Liberation

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Book Information

Category
Picture Book
Illustrator
Publisher
Candlewick 2014
Curriculum
Social Studies Curriculum

The Holocaust.  How do we help our young people understand the horror of the Holocaust?  

Why not begin with toys?  Children know the joy and happiness of playing with toys and they understand how special toys are.  So, we connect with their imaginations by showing them the excitement of women who had decided to make toys for the children in the camp.  They were using whatever scraps and buttons they could scrounge.

There is a sense of anticipation as they gather the bits and pieces and sew late at night when the guards are sleeping.

As you turn the pages, you'll notice the characters in the illustrations have thin legs and very little hair, even the women appear nearly bald.  The illustrations are done softly and there is a hint of color on each page.  Gently, oh so gently, children will begin to notice and ask their questions.  

There is hope here. These women are waiting for soldiers to come and open the gates.  They are making toys for the children to play with when they are free.

 A single sentence from "Antique Toys and Their Background" is the source of this amazing tale.  "A small collection of stuffed toys has been preserved which were made by Polish women in Belsen for the first children's party held after the liberation."

The horror of this chapter of human history waits here accompanied by some incredible resilience and hope.  The questions your children will ask you are waiting here too. 

978-0763670139  40 pages   Ages 9 and up

Recommended by:  Barb, abookandahug.com

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