The Cats in Krasinski Square

A powerful book about the triumph of human spirit and ingenuity during one of the most desperate times humans have ever faced.

The Gestapo, the Jewish Ghettos, the Holocaust, starvation and desperation are all extremely difficult subjects for me to broach with DD, who's seven years old now. This book is a starting point that I recommend highly.

Two weeks ago we watched The Sound of Music and I began to explain to DD about the Nazis, the annexation of Austria, and the beginning of WWII.

Last week we read this book, based on a true story, of how the Jews passing as Polish outside the Ghetto walls struggled to get food to those trapped and starving inside.

As a children's book it's perfect. The lyrical prose and delicate illustrations blunt a little the horros of Eichmann's "Final Solution" so that children can understand the message. Since there's no way I'm exposing my seven year old to photos or descriptions of the death camps yet, these kinds of stories are where I'm starting. Because of the nature of the subject, I haven't found many books about the holocaust suitable for young children. These are two books that I plan on getting from the library: "Terrible Things" by Eve
Bunting and "Little Boy Star".

There's no shortage of books for children in 2nd grade and up: "Star of Fear, Star of Hope", "The Harmonica", "The Number on My Grandfather's Arm", "Luba: The Angel of Bergen-Belsen", and on and on.

I'm an emotional type. I got choked up reading this. DD is somewhat used to this, but I probaly should have read through this myself, first, gotten a grip on my tear ducts, then read it to DD. Afterwards, I had to go to a quiet place and let myself cry it out. Just warning ya.

It's powerful, I love it.

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