The Whispering Town

Its short but very powerful. I got it to read to my students to remember the Holocaust. The author’s note goes perfect to complete the story.

This is a great book to talk about a subject that is normally difficult to discuss with young children. But talking about it is important, because it opens up a dialogue for age-appropriate questions. It is also a beautiful story that narrates a necessary history lesson about WWII. It is the perfect addition to any child’s book collection on diversity and history education .

A picture book about the Holocaust for young children is tricky to pull off but Elvgren expertly does so by taking a discrete incident that involves a secret, something that appeals to all of us. In Nazi-occupied Denmark, Anett's family is hiding a Jewish woman and her son. As the soldiers close in, Annet comes up with a way to guide the two through the night, past the soldiers, to a fishing boat that will take them to safety in Sweden. Based on a true event, this story shows young readers how people can band together to overcome the frightening obstacles imposed on them in a terrible time and still come out triumphant.

I could have sworn I posted this review months ago, but it wasn't showing up! Based on a true event, The Whispering Town tells the story of Anett, a young Danish girl during the Holocaust. Anett and her parents often offer shelter to Jewish families on their way to Sweden, so she is not surprised when her mother tells her they have new friends in the cellar. They will stay for a couple of nights before they take a boat to Sweden where they will be safe from Nazi soldiers. When the weather is not cooperative and heavy clouds obscure the moonlight, their plans seem to be thwarted until Anett devises a clever plan to get them safely to the harbor. However, she will need the help of all her neighbors to carry it out. In this extraordinary picture book, illustrated by Fabio Santomauro, Jennifer Elvgren takes a tough subject and makes it appropriate and engaging for young readers. Fabio Santomauro does a beautiful job with the illustrations, crafting this piece of art to have the feel of a graphic novel which is sure to grab the attention of even reluctant readers.

My 10 year old son had the pleasure of reading this book. He loved the illustrations and like most boys, liked the mix of words and captivating visuals. But unlike most books, he actually thought about what he read and asked me further questions. He wanted to know where this took place, the historical theme and found the ending very positive and comforting. I recommend this book for parents that are looking for subtle, yet effective ways to teach important life lessons.

When I read the description and reviews, I admit that I was expecting a more detailed picture book story than what is presented here. (I was thinking that maybe I would be surprised by a clever ending but it was more straight forward than that.) That being said, this is a good story. It is well-written and has interesting illustrations. The story is about how a family and eventually a town helps a Jewish family hide from the Nazis and escape to safety. This would be a good choice for a reader who may not have the attention span or maturity for a longer, sadder story but would still like to learn about WWII and have a discussion. (This could also be used in a discussion of the Underground Railroad as there are many parallels between the two.)

I am teaching Historical fiction to my class. They loved the book! It is a great example of understanding the history of WWll and also providing the tension that exists during that time, without scaring the children.

What a tough topic to tackle in a children's book! How do you convey the truth about the Holocaust without traumatizing a child? Elvgren succeeds. Deftly and gently told, her story introduces a reader to the grim facts while telling a true tale about courage in the face of danger. I hope teachers and librarians will take notice of this book. I foresee the story being the basis of many a thought-provoking discussion. A simple, yet profound story, beautifully told.

This book is an excellent way to introduce the Holocaust to children in Grades 1-3. The message is one of helping and protecting.