Sunday, June 10, 2018

The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse and Wendy Watson


(hb; 2004: children’s picture book. Illustrated by Wendy Watson.)

From the back cover

“Newbery medalist Karen Hesse tells a harrowing, true story about life in the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII.

“When Karen Hesse came upon a short article about cats out-foxing the Gestapo at the train station in Warsaw during WWII, she couldn't get the story out of her mind. The result is this stirring account of a Jewish girl's involvement in the Resistance. At once terrifying and soulful, this fictional account, borne of meticulous research, is a testament to history and to our passionate will to survive.


Review

This outstanding children’s picture book manages a rare feat: it deals with a dark, yet strangely inspiring historical event and manages to be child-friendly and entertaining at the same time. Its artwork is eloquent and simple, as spare as the emotionally resonant tale it accompanies. This is excellent, and ─ even for this adult ─ worth re-reading on occasion, for its humanity, grace and superb storytelling.

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