The Children We Remember

by Chana Byers Abells

Through moving photographs from the Yad Vashem Archives in Jerusalem, Israel, archivist Chana Byers Abells has created an unforgettable essay about the children who lived and died during the Holocaust. While it is a story of death and loss, it is also a story of courage and endurance, a story to be shared with today's children.

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

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful photographic essay of few words describes the lives and tragic deaths of Jewish children in the holocaust and those who survived.
It consists of photos from the archives at Yad Vashem: The Holocaust Martyrs and Rememrance Authority in Jerusalem, Israel.
It shows pictures of these children, many who were murdered, and some who survived during the holocaust, it is both stark and tender.
As Elie Wiesel said of this little book: "Look at these children. Look at their faces. They will break your heart'.
The book begins : "Before the Nazis . . . some children lived in towns like this," showing the children in happier times, going on to their suffering and starvation in the ghettos and in too many cases their evential murder.
Real pictures of real children who lived during those times.
The hope lies in their memories and of the stories of those who survived'
Few words and many pictures, it brings home the tragedy of these times to young readers, in a way that few books can.
I have been to Yad Vashem, and have also seen throughout Israel, many beautiful children, and remembered that children like these were once cruelly murdered in their hundreds of thousands by the Nazis.
Israel must protect her children!

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered this after having only seen the title and knowing the subject. I had no idea it was for children so young.
Once I had it in my hands I knew I'd read it but I really doubted I would share it with Julia (who is 6 years old). I read a lot about the Holocaust so she's seen various books laying around the house and even asked a question or two seeing a cover photo of a small child. I never told her much. I knew I would someday but I didn't know how. And I didn't (and still don't) know how much.
After I read through this I realized it's okay. She's pretty mature for 6 but I'd say the average child around her age can deal with this book okay. That's my opinion.
I read it to her and we took our time with the photos. It's even harder reading a book like this with your child I think. I wish she didn't have to know. I wish there wasn't anything to know.
The Children We Remember is a short but emotional book. It's the best I've seen on the subject as an introduction to the Holocaust for children.
I found it hard to answer some of Julia's questions, especially being that I had to tell her Nazi's were German, the people who did this were German, when Germany and it's culture, everything about it, is so much a part of her life. But in my opinion it's not just about Germans or the Jewish, it's more about people. If I weren't German this would affect me the same.
I'm sure I'll have more questions thrown at me over the next few days and that's okay. I welcome that.

[Vanessa Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Children We Remember is a sad book about the reality that Jews faced during the Holocaust. It talked about what happened before the Nazis came and after they came having to live in the streets, their food was scarce and shared, and they had to help each other get through this horrible time. These pictures were real which I think also added impact to the story. There were real children's names which gives us empathy for these students. This book shows the harsh reality of certain parts of history. This could make a great read-aloud for older students maybe not for early childhood students.
Author: Chana Byers Abells
Photographs: Yad Vashem Archives
Publisher: Greenwillow August 18, 1986

[Tori Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Children We Remember" by Chana Byers Abells is a poignant and powerful tribute to the children who perished during the Holocaust. Through haunting photographs and poignant poems, Abells honors the memory of these innocent victims, ensuring that their stories are not forgotten. The book serves as a moving reminder of the atrocities of war and the importance of remembrance, urging readers to bear witness to the resilience and humanity of those who suffered. With its heartfelt prose and compelling imagery, "The Children We Remember" is a touching homage to the lives lost and a testament to the enduring power of hope and remembrance.

[Olivia McCorrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful story, and I believe it would be a good resource for any classroom. The book describes the destruction of lives as the Nazi's gain power, and follows the stories of several children who were sent to concentration camps, including Anne Frank and her sister Margot. It describes the horrific conditions they endured and the loss of their families and loved ones. I think this is an important story for children to read, and would be a big help in any lesson plan on the Holocaust.

[Katelyn Douglass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a moving book that allows us to see what the Holocaust was like for the children. It describes the deaths of the Jewish children while also touching upon the children who survived. The entire book was filled with real photographs from the Holocaust. This is a great book for young children to learn about the Holocaust.

[Emily Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a children's book in which there is a picture on each page with just a sentence. It is very simple and yet gets the point across. It starts out showing jewish children living a happy normal life. Then the Nazi's invade and it shows what they had to go through. The pictures in the story are worth more words than the words themselves. A beautiful story!

[Heather Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Children We RememberChana Byers Abells this was a good book, especially for a history unit for kids.

[Brittney Cayford]

This book displays real images and texts from the eyes of the children during the times of the Holocaust. This book honors the resilience and strength of the children and adults who had to endure this suffering. This book is important for teaching about past events as it recalls relevant information that children can understand as it is from the point of view of children.

[Brianna Reeve]

A great way to inform children about the Holocaust and the challenges families faced in order to survive, as well as showing the horrible treatment they faced from the Nazis. The pictures allowed for the story to become real and allow children to see for themselves what others faced.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story to bring awareness of the holocaust to students, a sad and touching story about what children were forced to go through. The pictures throughout brought the story to life and took you through a walk of history. Absolutely heartbreaking but a great way to show our history.

[Sydney Huntington-Strohm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book describes a little bit about the holocaust. This can be used in a history class to teach about the holocaust. The pictures are from real-life pieces with the holocaust. You could use this book for sixth graders.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book. It would be great to use as an age appropriate introduction to the topic of the Holocaust. I like that the illustrations were actual photos of what it was like during the Holocaust.

[Abbie Kane]

The children we remember is a great book to read with older students, I think this is dealing with a very deep topic and it needs to be taught right. I think that many student could benefit from the book if it is taught right.

[Keann Moncrieffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book showed the holocaust and what children and their families went through remarkably. It wasn't the happiest book, but it showed history in a way that made it easy to understand and got the point across.

[Emilee Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very powerful book for younger people. This is a good way to teach about what happened to kids who went through the holocaust. I would say this would be more appropriate for upper level elementary into middle school, but it all depends on the students you are reading to. It starts to open their eyes without exposing them to how bad it actually was

[Hailey Licata · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great educational read. It tells about the holocaust and provokes emotion. Maybe aim for middle school years due to the emotions, but be aware some parents/guardians may not enjoy the emotions we are discussing in class.

[Amanda Wiley]

Remembering children who lost their lives during the Hoocoust, but also speaks to the resilience of those children who made it through.

[Devynn Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very strong picture with powerful meanings portrayed. Could be scary for some kids to talk about this topic but this book could be a way ease into a lesson.

[Charis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very moving book, that makes the war seem even more brutally realistic

[MacKenzie Oberholzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very strong children's book, but teaches a good lesson.

[Allie Gregoire · Rating 5 out of 5]

moving book

[Bella Herrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that can be used to explain the Holocaust to children by using real photographs from the time.

[Craytonh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real pictures and short text on each page makes this book a very powerful one. I recommend this book for an older audience, no younger than 5th grade on account of the mature content.

[Diana Gagliardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle and horrifying at the same time.

[Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be great for middle school to high school students. Book shows real pictures of children from the holocaust and its affect it had on them.

[Ashlyn Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great educational book about the Holocaust down to the main points. It may be a "children's book", but it could definitely be used to educate older students as well.

[Ashlyn Littlefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was more of an emotional book. It would be better to read to older children who are learning about the Holocaust. The illustrations give the story a stronger meaning as well.

[Lauren Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical book shows real pictures of jewish children during the time of the Holocaust. This is a very educational book for older students learning about the tragedies of the Holocaust.

[Annie Jewell]

This book was really well done and shows the sides of the Holocaust. Along with the words, the real life pictures really added to the understanding.