Let the Celebrations Begin

by Margaret Wild, Julie Vivas (Illustrator)

A child, who remembers life at home before life in a concentration camp, makes toys with the women to give to the other children at the very special party they are going to have when the soldiers arrive to liberate the camp

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Holocaust, World War II, Jewish, Kids, War

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Margaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature.

Reviews

[Rebekah Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

This picture book is set inside a Nazi prison camp and follows the efforts of older characters in making toys for the young children. At the end of the story the camp is liberated by Allied soldiers and a celebration begins. The book in and of itself is not necessarily "bad", but there are several major concerns that arose during my reading.

For one, while the book is described as Holocaust literature for young students, it avoids actual encounters with Holocaust material. For instance, as mentioned above, the setting is the Belsen concentration camp, but the only indication is one picture on the title page and a quick statement that Miriam (the main character and narrator) lives in hut 18, bed 22. Therefore, a reader would have to have enough background knowledge to infer the location, something which young readers probably will not have. The illustrations also contain no depictions of the inside of the camp other than the beds. There are also no Nazi guards shown or discussed in the story, which makes it appear as if the women and children are alone. The only suffering that is described by the narrator is a brief allusion to a lack of food and a lament that the young children have no toys (which becomes the center focus of the storyline). The characters themselves are drawn to only vaguely represent the tattered clothing, shaved heads, and emaciation. Overall, the illustrations are incredibly cartoonish and distorted from a realistic representation.

It is understandable that a book on the Holocaust for young children would avoid much of the difficult and horrific depictions or descriptions of the time. However, I believe this text is borderline unusable. Unless it is paired with another book or more in-depth instruction, it has little value. It does not present any historical details or facts and barely touches on the effects of the Nazi persecution of different people groups (i.e., Jews, Polish political prisoners, Roma and Sinti, the physically/mentally disabled, etc.). The illustrations are also particularly concerning. Research has shown that “iconicity, or the level of realistic representation in pictures, influences the extent to which children transfer the information from the text to new situations. The more realistic the book’s picture, the greater the transfer is (Ganea et al., 2008)” (Patrick & Mantzicopoulos, 2014). If illustrations contain inaccurate or unrealistic portrayals of humans and environments through cartoons or caricatures, students are less likely to believe that the events happened in real life, that they happened to real people, and that they have the potential to happen again. I believe this text should not be used as a student's only beginning introduction to Holocaust literature since it can potentially promote problematic understandings (ex: that the Holocaust was "not that bad"). And since many state standards do not specifically require Holocaust education until high school, having an inaccurate understanding of such an important and tragic event for such a long period of time is worrisome.

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story absolutely must be told, and retold, and then told again. This terrible, tragic time in history must never be forgotten.

Imagine then my surprise when I saw a children’s picture book that even broached the story of The Holocaust! I thought there was no way this horror could be told or pictured for the ears and eyes of the young. But of course, the young were there experiencing that terrible time.

Then I realized the author and illustrator had taken that very facet – children in a place of horror, their need for toys, and the kindness of others in that terrible place. Then they wove a gentle story and illustrated it realistically in soft colors (perhaps to soften the harshness of that place and time). It is a story of believing they would be liberated and planning to have a children's party and providing toys for the children. Toys made by the women out of scraps - bit and pieces, bits of thread - from their own threadbare clothes. Toys for the children for this party when the soldiers would come and free them all.

There is a “small collection of stuffed toys preserved that were made by Polish women in Belsen.” The story includes the women and children that had survived waiting for soldiers to open the gates and let them out. To rescue them.

Children will ask questions as you read this book to them. The pictures show the women and children in rags. They have no hair. They are very hungry. This gentle book will afford an opportunity for parent or teacher to gently explain how horrible that time was but how strong the human spirit can be.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Candlewick Press in exchange for my review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a subject to tackle in a picture book. I love when authors find a creative angle and bravery to approach such an uncomfortable topic with children. We need more of these books. LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN is the story of women and children in a Nazi imprisonment camp who are hoping to soon be freed. There is a quiet optimism that runs through the text and color palate. Certainly not a story for children under 5, but for approaching this horrific part of world history with older children this would be an excellent addition to the conversation.

[American Mensa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very well written and like nothing I’ve ever read before. The holocaust is a very sad topic, but this author finds a way to highlight the hope in a very sad situation. The people use parts of the little bit of clothes they have to make toys to use when they are set free. They are hopeful that they will be set free soon.
The pictures are good for the topic. The illustrator uses mostly faded and dull colors, showing that the people have been there for a long time, their clothes are old, and this is a dirty and unhappy place. Bright colors would not go with the sad mood of the topic.
Review by Lucy H., age 8, Tampa Bay Mensa

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not based on a true story, but that possibility becomes more real after reading the quote from _Antique Toys and Their Background_: "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." This is a powerful book. Words and illustrations couldn't work more beautifully together. It doesn't TELL a story of the Holocaust, it SHOWS it. Brilliantly, with a quiet serenity that makes it over-the-top-special. Not for little ones.

[Natalya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this book in my school library back in the early 90s, I remember our librarian reading it to us we must have been around year 3 or year 4. I remember it making me feel really sad and grateful. I completely forgot about this book until recently as I am now a mother. The part that stuck in my head from childhood was remembering the line about how before she didn’t eat the skin of the chicken but now she would eat it all even the bones. That stayed with me for many years and it’s what made me search the book up. I think this is a fantastic way of gently teaching children about the holocaust and brings up feelings of empathy and sadness and gratefulness in children I remember feeling this way. Although I didn’t really understand the whole context at the time our librarian explained it to us a bit and I remember feeling good that the children got their toys in the end and that people came to help them. As a child this also gave me a sense of love and compassion will always win in the end. Wow finding this book has really unlocked childhood memories! I will be purchasing a copy for my daughter

[Sara Albrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a group of women and children in the Nazi concentration camps making toys for the younger kids. Throughout this book there is a optimistic tone that keeps Miriam, the main character, in good spirits. She is certain that they will be liberated soon and makes toys in anticipation for the party that will follow their liberation. They all take little pieces of their clothing to make these toys and gifts them to the kids at the end of the book. I enjoyed reading this book, there are not many books that can tell younger readers this dark part of history in such a lighthearted way, yet while still making clear the harsh conditions of the concentration camps. I would recommend this book to older elementary school kids (4th grade and up) since the holocaust is such a dark part of history and it is important that kids reading this story know the background behind it. I also think that the group of characters chosen for this book is historically accurate and appropriate for this story.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this historical fiction book is good for upper elementary students. I think the concept is harder to grasp, and the pictures can be a bit graphic. Students will have to have background knowledge on the holocaust in order to understand the story in its full depth. Overall, I think its a good story to give to students who can handle it, and can grasp deeper meanings.

[Kayla Capps · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about Polish women living during the Holocaust time. Though this book is powerful because all the women are reflecting on the hopefulness rather than the fact of looking at where they are at. This is a great historical book, however does have pros and cons of when to use this. I would personally not us this any sooner than grade 4.

[Heather]

Let the Celebrations Begin is a WWII concentration camp story about the end of the war nearing liberation, with a child preparing with the women by making toys for the children who had no memory of life before the war with toys. Would like to revisit when my kids have more context.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true(ish) story of women in Belsen who made toys for the children as a liberation present. It is a gentle way to introduce the Holocaust to younger students.

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Open Library.

GOD, Ms Wild is a genius.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being in Auschwitz it is amazing that anyone survived, let alone survived with dignity. Beautiful story based on true events that brought tears to my eyes. And of course the amazing Julie Vivas illustrations give the story a quiet tenderness.

[Becky Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book tells the story of Polish women living in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. Instead of getting into the hardships they faced while in the camp, the book tells the story of how the women remained hopeful through such terrible circumstances. I think this book gives the reader an inaccurate description of what it was like living in a concentration camp. After reading the book, the only thing the reader learns is that the women made toys while in the camp; toys that they would be able to play with when they were liberated. Then, it talks about their liberation and the party they have after they were set free. It doesn't talk about any of the negatives that happened while in the camp. Although I don't think young children should hear about the evil that occurred in the camps, I also don't think that they should just have the view that the camps were a place where the inmates remained hopeful all the time. I think the author could've and should've at least touched on some of the hard things these innocent people had to face while living in the concentration camps during what was one of the darkest parts of history. Good for readers grades k-4

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a prize in a book promotion. What a pleasant surprise! The author tackles a subject usually considered verboten for young children and turns it into a beautiful lesson of hope rather than sorrow.

Although the publisher targets the book for readers age four and up, I feel that it is most appropriate for children in grades two and up. Children will immediately have questions when they see the characters depicted wearing rags and little or no hair. Miriam is the narrator who tells the reader she lives in Hut 22, Bed 18. The setting is a Holocaust camp for Polish women in Belsen. She is collecting rags and scraps of clothing from the prisoners to make toys for David and Sarah, two children who have never seen a toy. There's no food in the camp, but Miriam is sure that the allied soldiers will come to liberate them soon. By the time the soldiers arrive, the toys are finally ready and the celebrations begin.

Wild does a remarkable job of telling her story, tempering the horror with Miriam's spirit of optimism and courage. Children can be introduced to the Holocaust theme without the horror and violence being graphically displayed. Highly recommended for parents and teachers of children age seven and older.

[Mary Refalo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let the Celebrations Begin by Margaret Wild and Julie Vivas is the story of a young girl, Miriam, in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. It is difficult to read this sensitive and gentle book without feeling great sadness for the event that was the Holocaust. However, the contextual and background knowledge that an adult reader can bring to this novel far outweighs that of a young adolescent reader. My feeling is that, whilst this is a story that must be told, its significance would be lost on adolescent readers. Having said that, the understated written and visual style of this picture book offers a great deal to it audience. Vivas' illustrations depict the emaciated figures of the characters delicately, acknowledging the hardships of the camp, but offering hope in sympathy with the written text. Let the Celebrations Begin would be a lovely companion to other texts about this subject, allowing students to study the ways in which language can be manipulated to satisfy audience and purpose. With support, it could be used for all Stage 4 students.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sensitive handling of an incredibly difficult topic. This book for young children about the Holocaust focuses on how one child helps make toys for a celebration to be held after the camp is liberated. It doesn't focus on the brutality, though it does discuss the hunger and horrible conditions, but focuses on the liberation.

While some will complain that this doesn't go into detail about the evils of the Holocaust, I find it unfair to criticize a book for not being what it wasn't intended to be. This is a book for young children, and is a place to begin a discussion led by parents or teachers who know the individual child. Additional material can always be presented if desired or if the child is ready for it. Parents can discuss why everyone, women and children alike, are shaved bald, and why they are sharing bunks in a small hut. It's obvious that the author, illustrator, and publisher worked closely together on this book.

[Samantha Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the book, "Let The Celebrations Begin." I thought the reading was very easy for a child. I liked the way the author kept repeating, "the women and I, for our special party" for a child I think is it important to continue to remind them for what they are reading. In this case a party was going to happen, I wanted to know what toys the women were making for the kids out of their own clothes.
On the other hand I got confused on why the word "Rheumatism" was being used in a children's book why not just say arthritis?

[Lin Lin]

It is hard to hold back tears when you read this book. Both the author, Margaret Wild, and the illustrator, Julie Vivas, have a special talent to bring tough and sensitive topics like the Holocaust to the understanding of children. While you do not see barbed wires and incarcerated adults in concentration campus, one could feel the terrible suffering of millions of people during the the Holocaust. The book ends on a note of hope when children celebrated with soldiers who came to liberate them.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on actual events in WWII concentration camps as liberation neared, this is the story of a group of women prisoners who patched toys together (literally) from the meager scraps of their lives to assure that the few children who survived with them would have a celebration once the Allies reached them to release them. Author's note confirms the actual events and artifacts on which this is based.

[Alida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very difficult topic but a brilliant way to address it. It was hard to read but very worthwhile. All children should be taught about the Holocaust (once they reach an appropriate age and with carefully selected materials) and this is the first book that I've seen that does that very well.

[Michelle G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

One author's take on how young children felt in Nazi concentration camps. Parents and older siblings keep hope alive by creating toys from scraps of cloth.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving picture book about surviving the holocaust.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is difficult to classify this one. So beautiful, so meaningful, yet so grim.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult book to read to children. Its more for Adults: explaining the folly of it all.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dreadful, especially the illustrations.

[Dyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing illustrations and a very touching book.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book - very difficult topic but very sensitively handled. It was a great book for generating questions amongst the students but none which went beyond the realms of age appropriate.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unbelieveable giving a child's voice and perspective to such a tumultuous time in history. The Holocaust.

[Maria Pelayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a "safe" book about the holocaust. There are a few events spoken about in this book, but it is mostly about the feeling when it was over.