Marcel Marceau: Master of Mime

by Gloria Spielman, Manon Gauthier (Illustrator)

From the age of five, Marcel Marceau knew he wanted to be a silent actor, just like Charlie Chaplin. When World War II intervened, he joined the resistance, helping to get young Jews to safety during this dangerous time. But Marcel never forgot his dream of being a mime artist and entertaining the world.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Holocaust, Childrens, History, Art

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Cathy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. I wanted to know more about him, and this book explains a great deal of how he grew up and the reasons he became the greatest mime. I now admire him more than I ever did. To help others during the war, and save their lives, as a young man, was so amazing. This is a great book for young people and old. A absolutely wonderful read!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤❤❤❤
My dad took me to see Marcel Marceau when I was wee. I barely remember it but it will always be one of my fondest memories. Thanks, Dad.

[Jeanie Cullip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcel Marceau Master of Mime by Gloria Spielman is more than a non-fiction picture book about the life of a mime. It is a story about a man who never gave up on his dreams. As a child, Marcel Marceau watched the silent movies of Charlie Chaplin and dreamed of entertaining audiences without making a sound of his own when he became older. Life began to change for Marcel when Germany invaded Poland and he and the people of Strasbourg were ordered to leave. Marcel used his artistic talents to deceive the Nazis in order to protect many and move them to safety in Switzerland. In his twenties, he was given an opportunity to study drama; although the art of mime was an ancient art he held onto his dream. He then went on to work in the Free French Army and in his free time entertained the soldiers with his act. Once the war was over, he spent the remainder of his life on stage and revived the ancient art of mime.

What an incredible story of perseverance and doing whatever it takes to live out your dream. Time, War, and death of an art could not stop Marcel from becoming a mime! A must read for dreamers of all ages, willing to go the distance for their passion.

[Layah Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I had no idea that look we associate with mimes still to this day was based on a character named bip created by Marcel Marceau. It was such a wonderful read. And to learn he helped save so many jeweish children from the nazis warmed my heart. I had no idea he was Jewish himself faced the holocaust. A brave man and talented man. I found this book for sale at my local library and thought it would he a fun little story about a fictional mime. I didn't know it was about a real man who revived this ancient art, saved so many children, and inspired many others. This book was short and packed with important information without overwhelming the reader. It's perfect for children. I'll be reading it to my nephew when I put him to bed some nights.

[Callie Pyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even thought this is a children's book, it matched the reading challenge prompt The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list. I also was having trouble finding any books at my library on this fascinating figure. Can't wait to find other stories about him

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter enjoyed this picture book biography of the famous mime. She especially liked learning about his youth and work with the French Resistance during WWII.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already knew that Marcel Marceau was someone who revived the artform of Mime, but I had no idea that AS A CHILD he was involved in French Resistance activism!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful biography book about a person I knew virtually nothing about! This man is a wonderful role model for bravery, standing up for what you believe, and not being afraid to do the right thing even though it may be hard. I loved the character traits they focused on in this story and was fascinated to read about who he was and what he accomplished in his life...even if mimes are still a little scary to me!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my mind I see Marcel Marceau in black and white since that's how I saw when he performed on TV in the 1960s. Never knew his background, and so this was fascinating to me - that he was jewish, worked for the French resistance,etc. How this fed his art. Good job of presenting Marceau's early life.

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick read about Marcel Marceau's life.

While there was a heavy focus on Marceau's early life, I learned quite a bit about the man that I did not know before. He was not just a mime, but a forger for the French Resistance, and helped smuggle children out of France to safety.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading the story of Marcel especially the part about him as a young boy in Nazi occupied France.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple picture book biography but does present some interesting information about this fascinating man.

[JillJYA]

I knew Marcel Marceau was a mime, but I didn't know about his role in the French Resistance in WWII!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to Marceau's life for younger readers.

[Angel B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay for me. I'm sure some of my fourth graders would enjoy it though.