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One Day: A True Story of Survival in the Holocaust
From an eminent storyteller, this powerful, simply told, beautifully illustrated picture book recounts a rare story of survival during the Holocaust.
One day, a Hungarian-French Jew and his father were rounded up by Nazis and brought to a prison camp. One day, they tried to escape, and failed. One day, they tried to escape, and succeeded. In a true story that resonates with his own family legacy, Michael Rosen, one of today’s most esteemed poets and authors of books for children, draws on the real-life account of Eugène Handschuh, who escaped with his father from a convoy headed from Nazi-occupied Paris to Auschwitz. At once honest, approachable, and speaking to the resilience of hope, One Day features sensitive illustrations by award-winning artist Benjamin Phillips, as well as a note from the author providing historical context.
One day, a Hungarian-French Jew and his father were rounded up by Nazis and brought to a prison camp. One day, they tried to escape, and failed. One day, they tried to escape, and succeeded. In a true story that resonates with his own family legacy, Michael Rosen, one of today’s most esteemed poets and authors of books for children, draws on the real-life account of Eugène Handschuh, who escaped with his father from a convoy headed from Nazi-occupied Paris to Auschwitz. At once honest, approachable, and speaking to the resilience of hope, One Day features sensitive illustrations by award-winning artist Benjamin Phillips, as well as a note from the author providing historical context.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published January 7, 2025
2 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Michael Rosen
583 books551 followersMichael Rosen, a recent British Children’s Laureate, has written many acclaimed books for children, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and I’M NUMBER ONE and THIS IS OUR HOUSE, both illustrated by Bob Graham. Michael Rosen lives in London.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 17, 2024
"Get through one day and then on to the next.
One day at a time. One day after another."
The ever magnificent Michael Rosen tells the story of Eugène Handschuh and his father, Hungarian-French Jews who one day are rounded up by the Nazis and dropped in a prison camp. To make what they encounter there bearable, survivable, is tell themselves "one day at a time, one day after another". It's a very moving story, told clearly and concisely.
The illustrations are quite light and claustrophobic at the same time, most pictures including large groups of people.
Impressive.
(Thanks to Candlewick for providing me with an ARC through Edelweiss)
May 16, 2025
This is devastating and deeply moving—a quiet masterpiece that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit. With simple, poetic language and artful haunting illustrations, it offers young readers a way to begin understanding the unimaginable horror of the Holocaust. It doesn’t shy away from the fear or the grief, but it holds space for hope too—for survival, for personal experiences, and for family. The author’s note brings even more weight, with historical background and the story’s origin. The art in particular is unforgettable—heartbreaking, necessary, and just that—art. This book would be a resonant addition to any classroom or school library.
April 29, 2025
This is an inspirational picture book aimed at young people – but just as appropriate for adults – set in the desperate times of the transportation of Jews from France in the 1940s.
The main characters, Eugene Handschuh and his father Otto are captured by the French police and handed over to the Germans in Paris. They are communists – so definitely likely to be imprisoned by the Nazis. But their greater ‘crime’ in the Nazi eyes, is to be Jewish.
They are beaten, starved, and forced to do heavy slave labour. They know they are due to be transported from their holding camp, but do not know where to. However, they do know that no-one returns. They must escape.
Their first attempt at escape fails, but they don’t give up hope, despite more beatings.
The main characters, Eugene Handschuh and his father Otto are captured by the French police and handed over to the Germans in Paris. They are communists – so definitely likely to be imprisoned by the Nazis. But their greater ‘crime’ in the Nazi eyes, is to be Jewish.
They are beaten, starved, and forced to do heavy slave labour. They know they are due to be transported from their holding camp, but do not know where to. However, they do know that no-one returns. They must escape.
Their first attempt at escape fails, but they don’t give up hope, despite more beatings.
“Get through one day and then on to the next.
One day at a time. One day after another.”
Another escape attempt, from a transport train. Eventually they are safe – but the others in the train are not so lucky. Of the 11,981 left on the train to Auschwitz, only 29 survived.
The pictures are all done is subdued colours, as befits the story. No happy faces.
Most people will thankfully never find themselves in such dire circumstances, but we can all take inspiration from this true story. However bad things get, don’t give up hope, keep trying, small steps. Tomorrow might bring respite. There are real heroes in this story, who put their lives at considerable risk to help Eugene and Oscar. You might meet heroes too.“Get through one day and then on to the next.
One day at a time. One day after another.”
April 24, 2025
"Get through one day and then on to the next.
One day at a time. One day after another."
It is not easy to find hope in the stories of the despair that was the Holocaust. But Michael Rosen has written this moving true story about two men who survived, with the help of others by living one day at a time. Rosen voices the story through Eugene Handschuh, using words taken from press interviews. But he also uses the phrase"one day" throughout the story. He wrote this story for the 2022 Holocaust Memorial Day which used the phrase "one day" as it's motto. After key events in the story, repeating phrases similar to "on that one day, life was changed" exemplify how one single day can change everything. But he also repeated the phrase "Get through one day and then on to the next. One day at a time. One day after another." It reminds the reader that it is possible to get through tough times. The story of survival isn't sugar coated. The author mentions that Eugene and his father Oscar were two of a small handful of men who escaped the convoy to a prison camp. The other 1200 went to Auschwitz and only 29 returned. The story is illustrated in browns and greys with every page showing crowds of prisoners.
This picture book is not for young children but is a moving introduction to the topic appropriate for school age youngsters seven or older. In this current day and age with the war in Israel and the rise in antisemitism, it is important that we "Never Forget".
One day at a time. One day after another."
It is not easy to find hope in the stories of the despair that was the Holocaust. But Michael Rosen has written this moving true story about two men who survived, with the help of others by living one day at a time. Rosen voices the story through Eugene Handschuh, using words taken from press interviews. But he also uses the phrase"one day" throughout the story. He wrote this story for the 2022 Holocaust Memorial Day which used the phrase "one day" as it's motto. After key events in the story, repeating phrases similar to "on that one day, life was changed" exemplify how one single day can change everything. But he also repeated the phrase "Get through one day and then on to the next. One day at a time. One day after another." It reminds the reader that it is possible to get through tough times. The story of survival isn't sugar coated. The author mentions that Eugene and his father Oscar were two of a small handful of men who escaped the convoy to a prison camp. The other 1200 went to Auschwitz and only 29 returned. The story is illustrated in browns and greys with every page showing crowds of prisoners.
This picture book is not for young children but is a moving introduction to the topic appropriate for school age youngsters seven or older. In this current day and age with the war in Israel and the rise in antisemitism, it is important that we "Never Forget".
February 2, 2025
Powerful little tale. One day, get through to another one day. A story of resilience and strength.
Read
October 30, 2025Picture book about Eugene and Oscar Handchuh who were Hungarian Jews living in Paris in 1942. They were sent to a camp and worked with several other men to dig a tunnel and escape. They were caught right before they finished and were "deported". On their convoy, several men worked to remove the bars from the windows and then jumped from the train as it slowed. They were able to escape back to Paris to continue fighting the nazis. The story is framed around the idea/phrase "one day". One day can change everything (the day they were caught, the day they escaped, etc.), but also that survival meant getting through one day at a time.
Backmatter includes an author's note. The cover is the most striking of the illustrations.
Backmatter includes an author's note. The cover is the most striking of the illustrations.
April 11, 2025
I appreciate that this one does a good job of showing the hardships for Jewish people beyond just the Holocaust- I don't think many people knew of the camps we saw here. The illustrations do a great job of showing the sheer amount of victims at play. Use language sparsely to get across a strong message
February 27, 2025
Although I wanted to LOVE this book, I wasn't moved like I thought I would be. It was still an interesting story, just a bit flat. And I did love the illustrations, drab and dark...
February 27, 2026
Prachtige tekeningen. Jammer van de arme schrijfstijl.
April 3, 2026
Ik sloeg Op die ene dag van Michael Rosen, open zonder echt te weten wat ik moest verwachten, en ergens halverwege merkte ik dat ik mijn adem inhield. Niet omdat er iets spectaculairs gebeurde, maar net omdat alles zo stil en echt aanvoelt. Het is een boek dat niet roept, maar fluistert, en precies daardoor komt het binnen.
Michael Rosen vertelt een verhaal dat gebaseerd is op waargebeurde feiten, en dat voel je. Zijn taal is sober, bijna kaal, maar nooit leeg. Hij laat veel ruimte tussen de regels, en als lezer vul je die vanzelf in. Terwijl je leest, groeit het besef dat dit geen fictie is, maar een stuk geschiedenis dat iemand werkelijk heeft meegemaakt. Dat maakt het confronterend, maar ook bijzonder waardevol.
Wat mij opviel, is hoe het boek je doet stilstaan. Het idee van leven van dag tot dag wordt heel tastbaar. En ondanks alles zit er ergens een kleine, bijna koppige vorm van hoop in. Geen grote uitspraken, maar iets dat tussen de regels blijft hangen.
Dat het boek geschreven is ter nagedachtenis aan Oscar Jeschie Rosen en Rachel Rosen geeft het nog meer gewicht. Het voelt niet alleen als een verhaal, maar als een herinnering die levend gehouden wordt. Alsof je als lezer even mee verantwoordelijkheid draagt om niet te vergeten. En dat is ook wat je met dit boek in de klas kan bereiken. Stilstaan, herinneren, verantwoordelijkheid dragen,…
De illustraties van Benjamin Phillips versterken dat gevoel op een heel subtiele manier. Ze zijn ingetogen, met veel donkere tinten en schaduwen, maar af en toe zie je een klein stukje licht. Die contrasten maken dat je langer blijft kijken. Ik had het gevoel dat de beelden me soms meer lieten voelen dan de tekst zelf. Ze geven ruimte, en net die ruimte maakt het zo krachtig.
Wat dit boek voor mij extra waardevol maakt, is hoe bruikbaar het is, zowel in de klas als thuis. In de klas kan het een mooie ingang zijn om moeilijke thema’s zoals de Tweede Wereldoorlog en de Holocaust bespreekbaar te maken, zonder meteen te zwaar of te expliciet te worden. Je kan leerlingen laten stilstaan bij wat “dag per dag leven” betekent, en hen laten verwoorden wat ze voelen bij het verhaal en de beelden.
Thuis kan dit boek een aanleiding zijn voor een rustig, eerlijk gesprek. Niet per se om alles uit te leggen, maar om samen stil te staan bij wat er gebeurd is en waarom het belangrijk is om dat te blijven herinneren.
Wat blijft hangen na het lezen, is geen afgerond verhaal, maar een gevoel dat nog nazindert. Een besef van hoe kwetsbaar het leven is, en hoe belangrijk het is om stil te staan bij deze gruwelijke gebeurtenissen. Op die ene dag is geen boek dat je gewoon dichtklapt en weglegt. Het blijft even bij je, zacht maar hardnekkig. En misschien is dat precies wat het moet doen.
Michael Rosen vertelt een verhaal dat gebaseerd is op waargebeurde feiten, en dat voel je. Zijn taal is sober, bijna kaal, maar nooit leeg. Hij laat veel ruimte tussen de regels, en als lezer vul je die vanzelf in. Terwijl je leest, groeit het besef dat dit geen fictie is, maar een stuk geschiedenis dat iemand werkelijk heeft meegemaakt. Dat maakt het confronterend, maar ook bijzonder waardevol.
Wat mij opviel, is hoe het boek je doet stilstaan. Het idee van leven van dag tot dag wordt heel tastbaar. En ondanks alles zit er ergens een kleine, bijna koppige vorm van hoop in. Geen grote uitspraken, maar iets dat tussen de regels blijft hangen.
Dat het boek geschreven is ter nagedachtenis aan Oscar Jeschie Rosen en Rachel Rosen geeft het nog meer gewicht. Het voelt niet alleen als een verhaal, maar als een herinnering die levend gehouden wordt. Alsof je als lezer even mee verantwoordelijkheid draagt om niet te vergeten. En dat is ook wat je met dit boek in de klas kan bereiken. Stilstaan, herinneren, verantwoordelijkheid dragen,…
De illustraties van Benjamin Phillips versterken dat gevoel op een heel subtiele manier. Ze zijn ingetogen, met veel donkere tinten en schaduwen, maar af en toe zie je een klein stukje licht. Die contrasten maken dat je langer blijft kijken. Ik had het gevoel dat de beelden me soms meer lieten voelen dan de tekst zelf. Ze geven ruimte, en net die ruimte maakt het zo krachtig.
Wat dit boek voor mij extra waardevol maakt, is hoe bruikbaar het is, zowel in de klas als thuis. In de klas kan het een mooie ingang zijn om moeilijke thema’s zoals de Tweede Wereldoorlog en de Holocaust bespreekbaar te maken, zonder meteen te zwaar of te expliciet te worden. Je kan leerlingen laten stilstaan bij wat “dag per dag leven” betekent, en hen laten verwoorden wat ze voelen bij het verhaal en de beelden.
Thuis kan dit boek een aanleiding zijn voor een rustig, eerlijk gesprek. Niet per se om alles uit te leggen, maar om samen stil te staan bij wat er gebeurd is en waarom het belangrijk is om dat te blijven herinneren.
Wat blijft hangen na het lezen, is geen afgerond verhaal, maar een gevoel dat nog nazindert. Een besef van hoe kwetsbaar het leven is, en hoe belangrijk het is om stil te staan bij deze gruwelijke gebeurtenissen. Op die ene dag is geen boek dat je gewoon dichtklapt en weglegt. Het blijft even bij je, zacht maar hardnekkig. En misschien is dat precies wat het moet doen.
April 20, 2025
I have liked very much Michael Rosen's picture books, often very light and funny, but when I read his Sad Book, a picture book for kids and families about the death of his own son, I was punched in the gut. And that was a good thing. But hard. This book does the same thing, in a way, though it has some hopefulness in it, obviously (see title)
Rosen was commissioned to write it for the 2022 Commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day. It is based on some research in which he discovered his uncle and aunt had been on the same train transporting Jews from Paris to Auschwitz as Eugene Handschuh, the narrator of the story, who tel;ls his transport and survival story. His relatives didn't survive--only 29 of 1200 in that particular process lived--but the two people featured in this story did, a son, Eugene, and his father.
The illustration work by Benjamin Phillips is perhaps even more memorable, actually. I am not saying this is not a powerful and inspiring story--it is, of course--hope, in the midst of such horror, but it seems sort of familiar to me, not particularly memorable in the small catalogue of survival stories.
I had just read this, though, and then found a poem Rosen wrote ten years ago that surfaced on my Substack feed. Rosen is a Jew, a picture book author, a poet, but he mainly works with children. He wrote the following poem after reading this article in the Guardian in 2014 about Israel banning an ad that would simply list the names of all the children recently killed in Gaza. I thought it might resonate with the ethical core of his picture book.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/201...
Don’t Mention the Children
‘Israel bans radio advert listing names of children killed in Gaza.’ 2014
Michael Rosen, Poet
Don’t mention the children.
Don’t name the dead children.
The people must not know the names of the dead children.
The names of the children must be hidden.
The children must be nameless.
The children must leave this world having no names.
No one must know the names of the dead children.
No one must say the names of the dead children.
No one must even think that the children have names.
People must understand that it would be dangerous to know the names of the children.
The people must be protected from knowing the names of the children.
The names of the children could spread like wildfire.
The people would not be safe if they knew the names of the children.
Don’t name the dead children.
Don’t remember the dead children.
Don’t think of the dead children.
Don’t say: ‘dead children’.
Rosen was commissioned to write it for the 2022 Commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day. It is based on some research in which he discovered his uncle and aunt had been on the same train transporting Jews from Paris to Auschwitz as Eugene Handschuh, the narrator of the story, who tel;ls his transport and survival story. His relatives didn't survive--only 29 of 1200 in that particular process lived--but the two people featured in this story did, a son, Eugene, and his father.
The illustration work by Benjamin Phillips is perhaps even more memorable, actually. I am not saying this is not a powerful and inspiring story--it is, of course--hope, in the midst of such horror, but it seems sort of familiar to me, not particularly memorable in the small catalogue of survival stories.
I had just read this, though, and then found a poem Rosen wrote ten years ago that surfaced on my Substack feed. Rosen is a Jew, a picture book author, a poet, but he mainly works with children. He wrote the following poem after reading this article in the Guardian in 2014 about Israel banning an ad that would simply list the names of all the children recently killed in Gaza. I thought it might resonate with the ethical core of his picture book.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/201...
Don’t Mention the Children
‘Israel bans radio advert listing names of children killed in Gaza.’ 2014
Michael Rosen, Poet
Don’t mention the children.
Don’t name the dead children.
The people must not know the names of the dead children.
The names of the children must be hidden.
The children must be nameless.
The children must leave this world having no names.
No one must know the names of the dead children.
No one must say the names of the dead children.
No one must even think that the children have names.
People must understand that it would be dangerous to know the names of the children.
The people must be protected from knowing the names of the children.
The names of the children could spread like wildfire.
The people would not be safe if they knew the names of the children.
Don’t name the dead children.
Don’t remember the dead children.
Don’t think of the dead children.
Don’t say: ‘dead children’.
March 11, 2025
Author Michael Rosen seems to gravitate to intense topics explored honestly yet through the lens of hope. In his latest offering, based on actual experiences, he tells the survival story of Eugene Handschuh and his father, Hungarian Jews living in Paris during the Nazi occupation. Captured on December 28, 1942, by the Nazis before they could escape, they were put in a prison camp and later put on a train with 1,200 others to be transported to Auschwitz when they managed to escape. Only 29 of the remaining passengers on that train survived. Throughout the narrative, Rosen emphasizes the importance of one day, one day that may change someone's life in a good way or a bad way. In order to survive, it became necessary to forget the past and not think about the future, and to keep in mind these words that are part of their survival story: "Get through one day and on to the next. One day at a time. One day after another" (unpaged). While the story is told simply, it's also an intense reading experience because of what these men endured and the close calls they had. The artwork, rendered in ink, charcoal, and pencil, is stirring with its sepia tones and subdued colors, all intended to reflect the bleakness and horror of those times. The significance of the brick walls on the endpapers and the gathering of so many different faces and shoulders on the book jacket cannot be misunderstood. Taken together, the book provides an intense, thoughtful reading experience that is sure to have readers thinking about the importance of each of those one days and how difficult it must have been to have any hope of surviving at all.
May 4, 2025
It is often difficult to find hope in the stories that emerge from the Holocaust. But this is ultimately hopeful, based on the true story of a father and son - Hungarian Jews living in Paris. They were working for the Resistance when they were caught and incarcerated by the Nazis. Their mantra was "Get through one day and then on to the next. One day at a time. One day after another."
They were sent to one detention center and then relocated to a work camp. Desperate to not be sent to a different camp, they banded together with other prisoners to dig an escape tunnel. The Nazis found out about the tunnel and they were caught. In addition to beatings and interrogation, they were added to the list to be shipped out to a different concentration camp on a train filled with cattle cars. Fortunately, the resistance helped. They were able to smuggle tools on to the train which allowed them to open a window and jump off the train. They son and his father were separated but reunited in Paris. They learned that if they had not escaped, they would have ended up in Auschwitz. Instead they managed to survive.
The author was researching his own family when he uncovered this story. Details were changed (there was another son) but the essence of the story remains. A few people escaped with the help of many others.
The cover is poignantly different from the dust jacket.
They were sent to one detention center and then relocated to a work camp. Desperate to not be sent to a different camp, they banded together with other prisoners to dig an escape tunnel. The Nazis found out about the tunnel and they were caught. In addition to beatings and interrogation, they were added to the list to be shipped out to a different concentration camp on a train filled with cattle cars. Fortunately, the resistance helped. They were able to smuggle tools on to the train which allowed them to open a window and jump off the train. They son and his father were separated but reunited in Paris. They learned that if they had not escaped, they would have ended up in Auschwitz. Instead they managed to survive.
The author was researching his own family when he uncovered this story. Details were changed (there was another son) but the essence of the story remains. A few people escaped with the help of many others.
The cover is poignantly different from the dust jacket.
May 26, 2024
A young boy, Eugene, and his father are captured and put on a train to a camp. During WWII, the Jews were rounded up and taken to concentration camps.
They take one day at a time, talking about the next day. In the camp, they work with others to begin digging a tunnel so they can escape, but the tunnel is found. They are put on a train to another camp, but they are determined to escape. Thankfully, some of them manage to get off the train, and are either hidden by kind people along the rode, or make it back to Paris, so they can work with the French Resistance.
Based on a true story, this is a story of hope. History needs to be shared, and by introducing younger readers to stories like this, there is a better understanding as they grow. It should never be forgotten.
Highly recommend this read! Thank you to Edelweiss and Candlewick for the advanced review copy for my unbiased review.
They take one day at a time, talking about the next day. In the camp, they work with others to begin digging a tunnel so they can escape, but the tunnel is found. They are put on a train to another camp, but they are determined to escape. Thankfully, some of them manage to get off the train, and are either hidden by kind people along the rode, or make it back to Paris, so they can work with the French Resistance.
Based on a true story, this is a story of hope. History needs to be shared, and by introducing younger readers to stories like this, there is a better understanding as they grow. It should never be forgotten.
Highly recommend this read! Thank you to Edelweiss and Candlewick for the advanced review copy for my unbiased review.
September 29, 2025
One Day: A True Story of Survival in the Holocaust is heartfelt and heartbreaking all rolled into one.
This historical account of experiences lived by survivors of the Holocaust is sure to tug at your heartstrings. The brutal honesty and truth of this story is a window into a really dark price of world history that shouldn't be forgotten. They truly had to live it one day at a time and pray for a time when they woul all be free again. The story shows the resilience and determination of the human spirit; they did what they could to save themselves and others. In the end...well, you will want to read this to find out what happens.
It's educational, and it could serve the classroom on so many levels. I think this would be a good story to pair with other children's books about the Holocaust to paint a picture of what it took for them to survive, over come the odds, and help each other to make it through. It would give a chance for students to see what it was like for people during this time in history in an easily digestible way and, with any luck, foster a love for all people instead of the hate that fueled the Holocaust.
This historical account of experiences lived by survivors of the Holocaust is sure to tug at your heartstrings. The brutal honesty and truth of this story is a window into a really dark price of world history that shouldn't be forgotten. They truly had to live it one day at a time and pray for a time when they woul all be free again. The story shows the resilience and determination of the human spirit; they did what they could to save themselves and others. In the end...well, you will want to read this to find out what happens.
It's educational, and it could serve the classroom on so many levels. I think this would be a good story to pair with other children's books about the Holocaust to paint a picture of what it took for them to survive, over come the odds, and help each other to make it through. It would give a chance for students to see what it was like for people during this time in history in an easily digestible way and, with any luck, foster a love for all people instead of the hate that fueled the Holocaust.
March 28, 2025
How do you get through the very worst of times? One day at a time and with a lot of courage. Michael Rosen tells the harrowing true story of Hungarian Jews in Paris, Eugene Handschuh and his father, through their arrest, to prison camp, to a train to a concentration camp. I'll give away the ending--they both survived when so many others did not. Both their own courage and the courage of those who helped them kept them safe. Already part of the resistance, Eugene and his father, along with others in the resistance, worked hard to escape. Eugene and his father became separated but were reunited in freedom when so many were not. Rosen ends the book with a lesson to get through one day at a time, and then the next. An author's note in the back explains that this book was commissioned for Holocaust Memorial Day in 2022. Never forget. Obviously, this book is for older children and up.
January 28, 2025
This is a very depressing story for picture book format, but for those looking to add another Holocaust story to their library, Rosen's story is one of the many individual unique harrowing tales. When the cavernous feat that young boy Eugene and his father ~~ who have been working to build a tunnel to escape capture and death from Nazis ~~ is discovered by the Nazis, readers will assume the worst. Eugene and his father are put aboard a cattle train with over a thousand headed to Auschwitz but through some miracle 19 are able to crash through the barred "window" and escape, making it possible for this story to be told. Nearly all the others died.
In browns, grays, and black, the illustrations perfect capture the dreadful tone of this horrific report.
In browns, grays, and black, the illustrations perfect capture the dreadful tone of this horrific report.
April 18, 2025
A very moving story about one father and son, Hungarian Jews, and their experience during the Holocaust. The illustrations are perfect and the story gives just enough details to understand but not overwhelm. The story resonates, especially in light of things that are happening in this country now. The parallels of the beginning are striking. Miraculously, the story ends on a note of Hope, but throughout is the theme of focusing on the present.
"ONE DAY our lives changed.
We didn't think about yesterday
and tomorrow may not happen.
We had to cope with what was in front of us
on that day.
Get through one day
and then on to the next.
One day at a time.
One day after another."
"ONE DAY our lives changed.
We didn't think about yesterday
and tomorrow may not happen.
We had to cope with what was in front of us
on that day.
Get through one day
and then on to the next.
One day at a time.
One day after another."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2025
It’s difficult to decide who might be the reader of this book. It certainly looks like a children’s picture book but isn’t suitable for the pre-school reader. Even if you shared it with a child who is learning about the Holocaust at school (Key Stage 3, Year 9?) this may not meet the right reader; the story is about adults, not children. Yet the story is simply told.
There is a note form Michael Rosen at the end and a short biography of both him and the illustrator Benjamin Phillips.
The book is meant to bring some hope. The main characters survive the Holocaust but it isn’t easy.
This works exactly as a picture book for younger children with more story in the pictures.
Perhaps we need to become like French readers and value picture books for adults.
There is a note form Michael Rosen at the end and a short biography of both him and the illustrator Benjamin Phillips.
The book is meant to bring some hope. The main characters survive the Holocaust but it isn’t easy.
This works exactly as a picture book for younger children with more story in the pictures.
Perhaps we need to become like French readers and value picture books for adults.
December 9, 2025
A picture book loosely based on Eugène Handschuh's account of escaping with his father from an Auschwitz-bound train in Nazi-occupied Paris.
I found this to be a well-meaning tale that fell flat and didn't have many points of connection for young readers (i.e. characters are adults; no historical note or timeline for context). While I appreciated that the muted, brown-toned illustrations conveyed the hopelessness of the era, they also limit the book's appeal. And although I enjoyed the themes of perseverance that the narrative centered, I found the text oddly lacking emotion.
Although I believe that it is important to teach and reach Holocaust history, I felt that there are other books for this age group that do a better job of imparting these lessons.
I found this to be a well-meaning tale that fell flat and didn't have many points of connection for young readers (i.e. characters are adults; no historical note or timeline for context). While I appreciated that the muted, brown-toned illustrations conveyed the hopelessness of the era, they also limit the book's appeal. And although I enjoyed the themes of perseverance that the narrative centered, I found the text oddly lacking emotion.
Although I believe that it is important to teach and reach Holocaust history, I felt that there are other books for this age group that do a better job of imparting these lessons.
April 24, 2026
This is simultaneously a lovely and terribly sad book. Ultimately a story of great courage by people under unimaginable conditions, deciding to live one day at a time and continuing to do all they can to survive-despite being imprisoned, starved, beaten and taken away from all that is familiar.
I read with my heart in my mouth of the heroism displayed, the chances taken to be free, and the people who helped them even though their own lives were threatened by assisting escaped prisoners! This makes for an exciting and wonderful story. A tiny flame in the dark tale of the Holocaust. It's not for small children, but older ones, perhaps, because we must NEVER forget, lest this ever happen again.
I read with my heart in my mouth of the heroism displayed, the chances taken to be free, and the people who helped them even though their own lives were threatened by assisting escaped prisoners! This makes for an exciting and wonderful story. A tiny flame in the dark tale of the Holocaust. It's not for small children, but older ones, perhaps, because we must NEVER forget, lest this ever happen again.
February 12, 2025
A beautifully told snapshot into a series of significant events, across lots of significant days, in a moment in time during the Holocaust. It’s so important to share some stories of hope amongst so many that were anything but hopeful, and Rosen did a wonderful job here.
The illustrations are a very specific style which, whilst in keeping with the theme of the story, was not to my taste so had I not been sent this for review from the publishers I likely wouldn’t have picked it up. I’m glad I did though, but certainly worth having a look yourself to make sure you appreciate the style.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations are a very specific style which, whilst in keeping with the theme of the story, was not to my taste so had I not been sent this for review from the publishers I likely wouldn’t have picked it up. I’m glad I did though, but certainly worth having a look yourself to make sure you appreciate the style.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2025
"Get through one day and then on to the next. One day at a time. One day after another." That's how many jews coped with the Holocaust. Eugene and his father lived in Paris, but were taken by the Nazi's to a work camp. They helped organize and work on an escape tunnel, but were discovered, interrogated and set away to yet another camp. One day at a time, so much can change in just one day.
I loved Phillips expressive illustrations, and as always Rosen tells a beautiful story. Based on interviews Eugene gave to newspapers after the war, I'm pleased to see there are still stories of survival and hope to be told. Most of the characters are Jewish, the soldiers are German.
I loved Phillips expressive illustrations, and as always Rosen tells a beautiful story. Based on interviews Eugene gave to newspapers after the war, I'm pleased to see there are still stories of survival and hope to be told. Most of the characters are Jewish, the soldiers are German.
September 9, 2025
I love finding picture books that tell true stories in a way that children can understand them. This is one such story. It’s a difficult one, because while Eugène and his father survived, you also get a bit of a glimpse into the many, many lives of people who didn’t make it through the Holocaust. Told in a truthful but gentle style, this is an excellent way of sharing this piece of history. I also loved the line-art/watercolor illustrations—they were beautiful, and brought the text to life. Highly recommended, especially for children in the 8-10 age range.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
June 12, 2024
5 stars
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss.
This is a powerful story about the human spirit and how sometimes we can do superhuman things to survive. Eugene and his father are hiding from the Nazis when they are rounded up in Paris and sent to a detainment/work camp. After a failed attempt to escape via tunnel, the two and 11 of their co-conspirators, are sent on a convoy to the unknown from where none return. But they escape, along with 15 others and manage to survive the war, working with the Resistance.
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss.
This is a powerful story about the human spirit and how sometimes we can do superhuman things to survive. Eugene and his father are hiding from the Nazis when they are rounded up in Paris and sent to a detainment/work camp. After a failed attempt to escape via tunnel, the two and 11 of their co-conspirators, are sent on a convoy to the unknown from where none return. But they escape, along with 15 others and manage to survive the war, working with the Resistance.
January 8, 2025
Get through one day and then on to the next. One day at a time. One day after another.
A true story of escape and survival during the Holocaust. "One day" is repeated throughout the simple, but moving text.
The cover art of face after face, all genders, all ages, is particularly harrowing when you think about the twelve hundred people on the train. 19 jumped and escaped, the rest went to Auschwitz. Only 29 came back.
A true story of escape and survival during the Holocaust. "One day" is repeated throughout the simple, but moving text.
The cover art of face after face, all genders, all ages, is particularly harrowing when you think about the twelve hundred people on the train. 19 jumped and escaped, the rest went to Auschwitz. Only 29 came back.
August 18, 2025
This is a difficult topic for young children. Parisian Jews didn’t k ow that convoy train cars filled with Jews were heading to extermination camps. But the author knows this - he reused the phrase “one day” to show the main character’s determination to survive just one more day and then one more day until he & his father escaped. Watercolor illustrations convey some of the confusion, difficult times, and fear expressed in the text.
June 14, 2025
a very quick read for an adult,ni have bought it to put in my secondary school library - I expect weaker readers will like it because it also has pictures, and it will make a quick read for more able children. a good introduction into the Holocaust, and a couple of different camps mentioned rather than the regular Auschwitz and Bergen.
October 11, 2025
A difficult topic for a picture book. Two Jewish men in Paris work with the Resistance until they are caught by the Nazis and sent to a camp. They form a band with other prisoners and try to tunnel out. When caught they are sent on a train, they escape and return to the Resistance, avoiding certain death at Auschwitz.
February 5, 2026
A story of the Holocaust that makes this atrocity accessible for younger readers. The sort talks of daring escape, and a few lucky survivors. The author’s note goes more in depth and reveals that truth that the escapees were some of the rare few who survived. Learning about this tragedy is so important, so that we can stop the past from repeating itself.
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