Das alte Haus an der Gracht

by Thomas Harding, Britta Teckentrup

Die bewegte Geschichte des Hauses, in dem Anne Frank und ihre Familie sich versteckten. Mitten in Amsterdam, direkt an der Prinsengracht 261, steht ein hohes, schmales Haus. Es wurde vor 400 Jahren gebaut und diente als Wohnung, Lager, Stall und Geheimversteck. Es war Schauplatz einer bemerkenswerten Geschichte, die das rasante Wachstum Amsterdams im »Goldenen Zeitalter« Hollands und die deutsche Besetzung der Niederlande während des Zweiten Weltkriegs umfasste, und es bot Anne Frank, ihrer Familie und vier anderen für mehr als zwei Jahre einen scheinbar sicheren Ort. Heute ist das Haus an der Gracht ein vielbesuchtes Museum und Sitz der Anne-Frank-Stiftung.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Jewish, Historical, World War II, Holocaust

56 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2023

About the author

Thomas Harding is a bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than 20 languages. He has written for the Sunday Times, the Washington Post and the Guardian, among other publications.

He is the author of HANNS AND RUDOLF which won the JQ-Wingate Prize for Non-Fiction; THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE, which was shortlisted for the Costa Biography Award; and BLOOD ON THE PAGE which won the Crime Writers’ Association “Golden Dagger Award for Non-Fiction”. For all his books, reviews and updates, go to thomasharding.com and follow him on X/ twitter @thomasharding

Reviews

[Charlene]

A lovely picture book telling the 400 year history of the “old house on the canal” whose annex hid Anne Frank & family and several others until the Germans found them in 1944. We go through the time before the canal, when there were only marshes in the area and then, during the Dutch Golden Age, the land was drained, the water diverted into a canal and houses were built.

We get brief stories and full page illustrations of residents as they cycle through the centuries and then finally businesses move into the old house. Otto Frank’s 2 small businesses were located there during the War and the annex became a secret hiding place. The last illustration tells of the renovation of the house so that it can tell Anne’s story; then last two pages is text with more details on the house. Reading this went along so well with the “adult” history of Amsterdam by Russell Shorto that I’m reading at the moment; I am all the more impressed by this picture book. Only criticism — why was the adjective “sweet” used before Anne’s name in almost every mention of her?

[Ann]

As I should have known from the title, this book wasn’t really about Anne Frank, but about the house where her family hid. I’ve been there a couple of times but had no idea it was such an old building. Some interesting history of Amsterdam, beautifully illustrated.

[Marcella]

Wat een prachtig, rijk boek. Vanuit de “ogen” van een huis aan de Prinsengracht worden lezers bewust van hoe de Nederlandse geschiedenis in al z’n facetten (de mooie maar ook de minder mooie momenten) overal aanwezig is en blijft.

Achter de groene deur zijn in haar 400 jaar van bestaan veel levens voorbij gekomen. Van de bouw van het huis in 1635, naar de bewoners die profiteerden van de slavernij in 1700, naar de verschillende bedrijven die er ooit huisden naar de schuilplaats van Anne Frank tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog tot de functie van museum om de herinneringen van de oorlog levend te houden in onze huidige tijd.

Een sober maar sfeervol geïllustreerd boek waar veel over te zeggen is maar dat eigenlijk vooral voor zichzelf spreekt.

[Mlien]

Dit verhaal wordt verteld vanuit het perspectief van het Achterhuis: je ziet wat het huis door de tijd heen allemaal heeft meegemaakt, met natuurlijk een belangrijke rol voor Anne Frank. Het is een prentenboek voor wat oudere kinderen 9+, er zit dan ook wat meer taal in dan gemiddeld en het woordgebruik is vrij plechtig/soms wat ouderwets. Daardoor juist wel rijk aan taal en ook door de lengte heel erg geschikt voor een close reading les. Het kan passen bij thema's als wonen, Amsterdam, mijn huis, geschiedenis en de Tweede Wereldoorlog.

De platen zijn sfeervol, een mooi boek en door het bijzondere perspectief kijk je toch weer op een nieuwe manier naar het al vaak vertelde verhaal van Anne Frank. Ook interessant: dit boek is niet oorspronkelijk Nederlands, maar als eerste door een Duitse uitgever uitgegeven. Dat laat meteen zien hoe universeel het verhaal van Anne Frank is.

P.s. Het deed me trouwens heel erg denken aan Here van Richard McGuire, ook een graphic novel verteld vanuit een huis (alleen dan nog veel uitgebreider). Ook echt een aanrader dat boek!

[Nancycampbell]

Beautifully illustrated history of the Anne Frank House from when construction began in 1635 until today. The house is the main character in this poignant story. Additional information about the people who lived in the house is found at the end. Well worth a read for adults and children alike.

[Mirona]

Dit boek geeft een heel mooie wending aan het verhaal van het Achterhuis. Het stond er natuurlijk al heel lang, maar het gaat altijd over die jaren in de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Je verwacht op basis van de omslag een boek over Anne Frank en hoe Prinsengracht 263 gebruikt werd om haar en haar familie te verbergen tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Wat je niet verwacht is de geschiedenis van een pand. Als het moment in de tijdlijn daar is, wordt Anne bijna tussen neus en lippen door genoemd. Ook de nazi's krijgen bijna geen uitleg, dat is niet de focus van dit verhaal. Achterin staat een verdiepende tekst over de verschillende tijdperken in het verhaal, voor meer achtergrondinformatie. Het is mooi vormgegeven en origineel!

[Jan]

The long history of the house where Anne Frank and her family hid at the start of WWII. Beautiful artwork, beautiful book.

[DaNae]

An expansive history of the spot where the building that hid Anne Frank and her family stands. Beginning in the 1500s when it was a cow pasture to the present where the museum stands. It was interesting but the only dynamic portions were about Anne and the aftermath. I’m not sure the whole narrative works to draw a young reader in. It felt more like an illustrated showcase for some excellent research and a little indulgent.

[Jill]

I truly enjoyed this special book. The telling of a house and it's occupants since it was built is a great way to teach history to children (and adults too, since I also learned a few new things). The house that hid Anne Frank and others during WWII has a very interesting history itself, one I am glad to have been introduced to. I highly recommend this book.

(I was chosen to read this book as an ARC by Edelweiss in return for an honest review.)

[Ria]

De geschiedenis van dit huis wordt op een ingetogen en zorgvuldige wijze verteld in een groot formaat oblong prentenboek en begint in ong. 1600 met de aanleg van de Prinsengracht en de bouw van andere panden op deze locatie. Iedere passant in dit huis is naamloos. Een bewoner wordt getypeerd door beroep, grote familie, koopman, apotheker tot aan een lange man en zijn dochter Anne. Van de tijdlijn de rij af te lezen vanaf 1580 tot nu.

Het is het levensverhaal en enigszins de directe omgeving van een huis. Vergelijk het eindbeeld ervan met de kade van het begin in 1635 en ontdek de continuïteit in ontwikkeling van een landelijk gebied tot een ontwikkeld deel van een stad met een bijzonder oud huis aan een gracht in Amsterdam. Anne Frank omschreef het zelf al als ‘het oude huis aan de gracht’. Het boek kent een relatief rustige opbouw volgens een tijdlijn tot de tijd stokt en de klok stopt met slaan in de eerste helft van 21e eeuw.

Een interessant en indrukwekkend boek met schitterende illustraties dat door kinderen vanaf 6 jaar kan worden opgepakt.

Een zeer mooi waardevol (cadeau)boek voor alle leeftijden.

Lees het gehele stuk op https://lezersgoud.nl/thomas-harding-...

[HouseofBooks]

Probably one of the best historical narrative books I ever read.

I don't really read that many history books nowadays [I forgot that it existed, sadly], but just for a change, I decided to pick it up from the shelf, and it was unexpectedly filled with facts in the form of a traditional informational storybook.

Ever since I went to the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, I have been OBSESSED [take note that it is in all caps] with old homes and their history. And this literally feeds it, like literally, in a no-effort way.

I especially enjoy that the book doesn't just start with the year 19412, when Anne Frank and her family hid; it starts in the year 1580, the time when the house's location was still a marsh. And, wow, I can't believe I'm talking about years and dates since I HATE talking about them, but speaking of dates, I am sooo happy that they are on the side since I hate it whenever there are dates in a historical narrative; it takes away the fun in the book.

The only thing I'll talk ill about this book is that, let's say, uh, the year 1653, it simply just says:
"A young woman moved into the house on the canal with her twelve children."
I wish it had her and her children's names in it, but instead you have to turn to the back and risk losing your place.

✨RECOMMENDED AGE✨
Age’s 6 and above since It is quite long and a little requires some background knowledge about basic history.

Okay, and this book barely has any people reviewing and reading it, like, ONLY 91 people are reading it compared to other historical narratives, so PLEASE PLEASE read it.

Happy Reading!

[Bethe]

5 stars. History of the land, starting from the year 1580, Over 400 years, where the Anne Frank House, was built. Put attention to the top corner of the pages that state the year. From a swamp to a house, to a stable, to a factory, and now a museum. The last spread names the various folks who owned the home over the years. A must read for all interested in Anne Frank. I would like to go to the museum someday.

[Shoshanna]

Amazing. Beautifully illustrated, often with muted colors, so the flashes of bright color really stand out, using a cut paper method. Truly a history of the house, not just of the Frank family. I really appreciate the tiny little elements that add complexity to the story, such as many of the Dutch welcoming the Nazis.

[Kate Willis]

I loved learning more about this. It was educational but interesting, and the art style was beautiful.

[Krista]

Outstanding!
5 stars!
Another great resource for school libraries.
The story of the house that hid Anne Frank.

[Jochen]

3.5*

[Melissa]

Beautifully told and illustrated history of the building.

[Amy Hesterman]

For kids who are ready to know a little bit about the back story of Anne Frank, but not quite ready to learn about the horrors of the holocaust. Beautiful book.

[Erica]

Beautiful illustrations and a neutral voice tell the 500-year story of the place where the Anne Frank House Museum now stands - a marsh, an urban canal, all the residents and their occupations, and the terrible tragedy that unfolded there.

I do wish there was mention of how many homes might have had a nearly-identical story that is lost to history because the occupants during World War 2 did not keep a diary that was so fortuitously left behind and then found and then shared.

Every house has a story, and we know 6 million Jews died during the Nazi Holocaust. How many houses? How many houses were *not* affected by this genocide?

Why do I wish that info was in this brief, evocative book?? Well, I have a theory: Perhaps giving a sense of the scope and the numbers helps people understand why Jewish people today get so offended when their genocide is compared to other people's genocide. I myself see the similarity of intention, whether 54,000 people are victims, or 6,000,000 people are victims. Especially when the genocide is currently unfolding, and we have the power to stop it.

I do not think this book will inspire people to fight back against fascism, nor hide outcasts in their own homes, although it might remind readers that in order to remain hidden, the outcasts needed to have friends who were on the "outside" - people who could pass as "acceptable" to the fascist murderers. If it does inspire readers to stand up in that way, at least, it is something, not nothing.

Given the language and images, I think this could be read aloud in a family setting to children as young as 4 or 5 years old. For classroom use, it probably should start at 1st or 2nd grade, and should expect questions and discussion.

[Marijt]

Informatieve prentenboeken voor oudere kinderen zijn er niet veel. Deze gaat over het huis waar o.a. Anne Frank ondergedoken heeft gezeten en de geschiedenis daarvoor en na de WOII, wat weer vanuit een heel ander perspectief haar verhaal neerzet.
Het maakt nieuwsgierig naar het dagboek of het verhaal van Anne Frank en is ook niet zo heftig verbeeld en verteld dat het voor jongere kinderen niet te doen is. Echt een aanrader om vanaf groep 5 erbij te pakken, wanneer het onderwerp WOII ter sprake komt. Maar dit verhaal is ook heel erg passend bij thema's als bouwen, wonen en het ontstaan van steden (Amsterdam).
De weinige, maar informatieve tekst leest makkelijk weg en zal door het onderwerp ook zwakke en niet-grage lezers in de smaak vallen. Een kleine toelichting over welk huis aan de Prinsengracht in dit boek besproken wordt, lijkt me raadzaam.
Illustrator Britta heb ik ooit 'ontdekt' door peuter/kleuter prentenboek 'Sttt de tijger slaapt', maar inmiddels weet ik dat ze zoveel meer kan vertellen met haar eigen stijl. Haar non-fictie werk spreekt mij al langer aan en dit vind ik helemaal bijzonder om zo'n bekend verhaal zo te verbeelden.

Zelf heb ik weer wat geleerd rondom het verhaal van Anne Frank: nooit eerder heb ik erbij stilgestaan dat er ook andere eigenaren waren van dit huis. En zo zie je maar weer dat volwassenen zeker wat kunnen opsteken van jeugdboeken.
Ik vermoed dat elke lezer van dit boek daarna graag een bezoek aan het Anne Frank huis inplant.

Verhalende non-fictie vanaf groep 5 en zeker ook in te zetten in onderbouw VO en bovenbouw VMBO.

[YSBR]

The stories of the Holocaust are oftentimes some of the most difficult books to write for young readers. Nevertheless, Thomas Harding and Britta Teckentrup have created a beautiful narrative and illustrations that captured the history of how a house on a canal became a refuge for an entire family. The book follows the historical narrative of the area where the house would be erected. In the beginning, it’s just simply marshland but blossoms into a lovely house built by a stonemason and his friends. The narrative travels through the various decades of the community on the canal: through the plague season, through seasons of abundance and elaborate parties. However, a dark time comes for the house on the canal as an entire family has to be housed in a secret room at the very top of the house. Although many of us know the ending to Anne Frank’s life, the story still brings readers a sense of hope. Her father returns and transforms the house into a museum so others will never forget that the house on the canal that has stood the test of time. The illustrations perfectly capture the evolution of the house and also the area along the canal. They also intentionally used gray and black scale illustrations for images such as the soldiers that come to get Anne Frank and her family, which helps to keep the historical aspect of the story alive but softens the images for younger readers. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Barbara]

This picture book is another visually stunning and emotionally stirring offering from the same creative team responsible for The House by the Lake. While it might seem that everything that can be written about Anne Frank has been written, even books about the Chesnut tree in the back yard, this story offers something unique. Tracing the house where Anne, her family, the Van Pels, and Fritz Pfeffer, hid for almost four years to its original builder and even before that, to 1580 when the area was a marshland and 1600 when the canal along which it was built, was dug out, the book showcases the changes in the neighborhood and various tenants, including horses at one time as it fell on hard times, even surviving a fire, all the way up to WWII, the discovery of those hiding in the building's annex and beyond. A small block on the top of some of the pages indicates the year being described in the text. Because the house is personified at various points, readers can experience vicariously its emotions and rejoice that the house has been refurbished, even with a green door like it had originally, so that others can visit it today. The mixed media illustrations that include collage and interesting colors, shapes, and textures make for a visually pleasing backdrop to a moving slice of history. Add this one to a collection dedicated to the Holocaust.

[Becky]

First sentence: In the middle of Amsterdam, next to a canal, stands a tall, narrow house. It was built almost four hundred years ago and has served as a home, a warehouse, a stable, and a hiding place.

Premise/plot: The House on the Canal is a picture book for older readers. It is nonfiction picture book that is more abstract in nature which makes it perhaps more fitting for older readers. It is the history of a house--a specific place throughout the centuries. The book roughly spans five and a half centuries. [Though don't trust my math!] It is the place--which in the opening spreads is not even a physical building yet--that is front and center. It all leads up to the time when the house was a hiding place for Anne Frank and her family. The house was rich in history before it became a warehouse and hiding place. This book sheds light on the some of the more permanent things in life.

My thoughts: This book gives the "Here" treatment to the Anne Frank house. Though I wouldn't be surprised if the book was in the works long before the feature film, Here, was released. The text has an almost poetic--definitely artistic--vibe. The illustrations are quite artistic as well. Definitely detailed enough to give study for those interested in art or history.

[Miriam Kahn]

For readers of all ages.

This house history, “The House on the Canal” was written by Thomas Harding with wonderful illustrations by Britta Teckentrup https://www.bookloft.com/book/9781536... .

The picture book traces the history of “The House that Hid Anne Frank”. But it’s more than that.
Thomas Harding begins the history of the tall, proud, brick house with the marsh at the edge of a canal on the outskirts of Amsterdam. From the marsh a canal was dug and the marshland was filled in to support houses. From there, readers learn about the owners and what happened there, all the way to the present.

The illustrator, Britta Teckentrup, combines collage and painting to provide glimpses the times, the house’s residents, and the evolution of that part of Amsterdam.

“The House on the Canal” is the perfect book for readers of all ages, from the youngest who will love the pictures, to the oldest who will understand the history of the house and how it protected Anne Frank her family and their friends, until it didn’t, and the museum it is today.

[Shanna]

“They took them away. They stole people’s dreams.” With two sentences, Thomas Harding drives home the narrative. This house…this house is not like other houses. It has lived many lives. It has been a dancing floor, a playroom for children, a stable. Most importantly, it has always been a safe space to land. Or hide. This house was Anne’s house. Where she dreamed. Where she wrote of her deepest thoughts and her memories that would become known to the whole world. Where she eventually would also be taken away. With her dreams stolen. This is the story of a house. And a girl. And how buildings change over time, but they continue to protect us and try to keep us safe. Sometimes, as with Anne’s house, they educate. This is the story of a house. Everyone should know this story.

Beautifully written and illustrated, this is sure to be a talked about book for years to come.

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 145

[Julie Ditton]

For decades, Holocaust education in schools often meant reading Anne Frank's Diary. This interesting picture book offers a glimpse at that story from a different perspective. It tells the biography of the house where Anne Frank hid. Thomas Harding provides a story which takes the reader from the swamp land populated by animals alone to the building of the canal, and the house on the canal. The book tells about various people who have lived in the house over the centuries. Told from the point of view of the house, readers are treated to an artistic timeline of the area. The cut paper collage illustrations by Britta Teckentrup are a feast for the eyes. This book would be an interesting addition to Holocaust lessons for young students and adults alike. It provides an introduction to the topic that is age appropriate for youngsters. But provides a different look at the topic that adults will find interesting too.

The suggested reading level for this book is ages 7-10. However the little bit about Anne Frank is handled in a sensitive manner, and the illustrations are beautiful. this book can be appreciated by anyone five and up.

[Anne]

This is the story of the house at 263 Prisengracht in Amsterdam. It has been made famous because it is the house where Anne Frank hid during WWII. While it does talk about her time there it doesn't go into a lot of detail about that. Rather, it covers the whole history of the house from when it was originally built on land that used to be a marsh all the way to its current iteration as a museum. In between it has been a wealthy home, abandoned, a hideout, a barn, a chemist's shop, and more.

The illustrations are somber, sepia toned but befitting the text. The history was fascinating, simply told. Great supplement to a Holocaust unit. Timeline at the end. My big complaint is the lack of citations/source notes, however. Show your research, people!

[Mary]

What a fascinating concept! It's also very well done, with a factual timeline after the main story that helps clarify the text. Loved the illustrations, too. Almost five stars for me, but I felt that I needed that timeline to truly understand the story--it didn't quite stand alone. And there were one or two awkward sentences. In spite of this, this should be in most libraries serving elementary school students. A good and gentle introduction to the brutal facts of the Holocaust.

(About that timeline versus the text: I thought some of the Dutch were welcoming German soldiers during WW1. From the timeline, I learned this happened in WW2).

[Rachel]

Shows the history of the house in Amsterdam where Anne Frank hid with her family. It goes back pretty far, like 1580. It was interesting to see how old the structure was and all the uses the house has had over the centuries. It doesn't go much into Anne Frank (like if you're wanting in depth info about her this isn't the picture book) but it does cover the important info about her, and does so in a younger age level. Great book for schools. I LOVED the images and the use of collage and real photos. Was very beautiful.

[Janet]

WOW is what I say to this title, definitely was not anything I expected this title to be. I really was not in the mood for a sad title about Anne Frank and this wasn’t. Britta Teckentrup is a favorite children’s author/illustrator of mine. When I saw that she had a 2025 title as illustrator being published in the USAI couldn’t wait to read it, but wow, I had not seen this type of art in her titles previously.
As I began to read I realized this was the story of a house with a long history which eventually became the the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam. The story begins in 1580 in a marshland, that eventually became a canal upon which a house was built and eventually in 1960 was slated to be torn down.
A great historical relating the history and inhabitants of this house and property for almost five hundred years. I loved this title and and anyone interested in historical research will love it too.
Britta Teckentrup your art work in this title is most appealing to me. Hope to see more of this style.