Opas Engel.

by Jutta Bauer

Er war stets der Mutigste, kletterte auf die höchsten Bäume und sprang in die tiefsten Seen - nicht ahnend, welchen Gefahren er sich aussetzte ... Wie war das möglich? Weshalb liefen brenzlige Situationen meistens glimpflich ab? Opa hatte das ganz große Glück, dass jemand auf ihn aufpasste! Wenn sein Enkel ihn besuchte, hing Opa gern seinen Erinnerungen "Junge, mir konnte keiner was. Jeden Morgen lief ich über den großen Platz zur Schule. Ich hatte es eilig und mein Ränzel war schwer. Einmal hätte mich fast ein Bus erwischt ..." "

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, War, Death, Family, Holocaust, Fiction

Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

As a child
Jutta was born in 1955, in Hamburg. She went to school for ten years and describes it as “a necessary evil”.

As an adult
Jutta is one of the best-known picture-book artists and cartoonists in Europe. She currently lives in Germany.

As an artist
When asked where the idea for Opas Engel (the original German title of Grandpa’s Angel) Jutta commented, “At the time I had my drawing table at the film studio of a friend and was actually looking for a funny story for a film. My friend’s studio had a big window looking onto the street and we would watch how the school children plodded along – sometimes deep in thought. Watching this, I couldn’t help thinking that all these children usually do arrive safely. Then I had the idea for the guardian angel.” Grandpa’s Angel however, was not conceived as a story for children from the beginning. Jutta added, “I don’t like that; I believe that stories are like vessels. They offer a form, but every reader – no matter whether young or old – fills it anew with their experiences and their individual stories.”

Reviews

[Miss Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

یکبار به دوستم گفتم کنار آمدن با مرگ خیلی سخت است. گفتم من سخت باور می‌کنم که بابابزرگم نباشد، نیست. او گفت که مرگ فقط شکل رابطه را عوض می‌کند. حتا می‌توانی نزدیکتر باشی به پدربزرگت. همچنان هر بار پیرمردی می‌بینم که به باغچه‌اش آب می‌دهد و آهسته و خموده راه می‌رود، قلبم می‌گیرد.
برای خاطر تمام دلتنگی‌های جمع شده بعد از رفتن بابابزرگ، این کتاب را خواندم تا کودکی را آرام کنم که در من اشک می‌ریزد و بهانه می‌گیرد و می‌پرسد چرا بابابزرگ دیگر نیست؟ بابابزرگ من خودش یک فرشته است با پلیور و بالهای خاکستری.

[Nanor & Co. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book...touching illustrations.

Here's to all the Angels who watched/are watching
over the Armenian Genocide survivors,
including my Grandmother's family...

[Ghazaal B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm falling in love with this woman.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is such a thought-provoking book, which could be used to create a receptive context for KS2 children who are looking at WW2. It is a story told from a dying Grandpa to his grandson, telling him about his experiences growing up and experiencing Nazi Germany, WW2, and then bringing up his own family. By looking at the intricate illustrations, the reader can see that the Grandpa had a guardian angel looking after him.

This book explores some sensitive themes in an age-appropriate manner. For example, the holocaust, fighting in trenches, hunger and poverty, and family death. It is told from the perspective of someone living in Germany at the time, which is an interesting perspective for children to hear, because they seem to mainly be told about WW2 from the perspective of the British.

On one of the final pages, Grandpa says 'I've been lucky' which is very interesting because many people today would view him as very unlucky to have lived through all his hardship. It shows he is grateful for his life and what he has, which could link to PSHE discussions.

This is a great picturebook - the reader needs to read both the words and the pictures to understand the story. E.g. when talking about his friend Joseph who disappeared, the reader needs to look at the yellow star on Joseph's coat, to understand why he disappeared and why he was frightened. The reader also needs to look at the pictures to see what the angel is doing to save him in each event, what job he was doing, and to see the soldiers were Nazis.

[Somporn Karam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am editor of this book in thai edition. This is one of my favorite books. I like the idea of the story. It's simple but powerful story! And Jutta's illustration is heart-warming! In my opinion, I think this book is definately good for children. Sometime we don't need to worry too much if the children can understand the story or not! I think to give children a chance to experience a good story is also the good idea.

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, a masterpiece.

Open Library.

[Veronika Pizano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nie vždy ilustrátorka je aj dobrá autorka, v tomto prípade sa však oboje spojilo v Jutte Bauer, ktorá prináša nádhernú knihu o vzťahu dedka a vnuka. Ako ateistka si zamieňam anjela za obyčajnú šťastenu a má to rovnaký zmysel, takže u mňa dobré. :)

[Oriente · Rating 3 out of 5]

A három csillag az illusztrációnak szól, mert az legalább értékelhető.
A történet maga fantáziátlan, tulajdonképpen teljesen semmitmondó.

[Catalin Dinu · Rating 5 out of 5]

O carte minunată.
Un bunic povestește nepotului său viața lui, vegheată de îngerul păzitor. Până ce, extrem de discret, bunicul, foarte obosit, închide ochii. Către un scurt somn? Către Marea Trecere?

O frumusețe de carte ca inefabilul unei taine. Nu poți decât citi cele câteva fraze (sub 15) care compun cartea, nu poți decât, simultan, să te cufunzi în farmecul copleșitor al imaginilor pictate cu sufletul și apoi să contempli frumusețea, tandrețea și durerea învăluită în minune și speranță a vieții.

Această carte este o realizare simplă, dar de excepție. Și, da, vorba lui Brâncuși se aplică perfect și aici: „Simplitatea este partea esenţială a lucrurilor complicate.” Iar dintre toate lucrurile, cel mai complicat, all in all, este o viață de om.

[Eris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta muy bonito, tierno, triste y hasta me reí

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is so special. The illustrations and story are about how guardian angels surround and protect us. How they do so much for us unseen. I believe this! I’ve felt the help of angels seen and unseen in my life.

I was reminded about this book in Feb 2022 as I was reflecting on the War in Ukraine right now and wishing angels upon those people and especially my friends and their families.

[Daniel Rodd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly simple book that tells the tale of a mans life, the ups and downs and a unearthly guardian that keeps him safe. The book while simple can be used as a stimulus for discussion about how life has changed, peoples faith, beliefs and life priorities and

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely way of tackling the topic of spirituality and the circle of life.

[Rebecca Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely book! It made me feel so happy inside, but also quite sad as it refers to the passing of a grandparent, which I have experienced myself.

I think this book would be great for children to read especially if they are going through a bereavement because it shows to them that there is always someone watching over them. I think I would also use it to help myself as well because I never know how to respond to a situation like this, as I always feel that I am saying the wrong thing, or making the situation worse. However, with this book, I feel that I could sit with a child and discuss the book, before getting them to open up to me (if they wanted to).

I think it would also be great to explore the illustrations in this book!

Highly recommend!

[Marissa Elera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender and moving.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 4 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمه فارسی:
فرشته پدربزرگ

[Flora Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

2014/3/13
Deeply touched and encouraged

[ミ*Myriamミ* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficile riuscire a scrivere un commento esaustivo per questo racconto ... si tratta di un breve libro illustrato che si distingue per la delicatezza e profondità emotiva. La storia, all'apparenza semplice ma toccante, vede un nonno raccontare al nipote delle proprie esperienze di vita, segnate da difficoltà quotidiane superate miracolosamente anche grazie all'intervento del suo angelo custode e narrate con uno sguardo giovanile, adatto al bambino cuibsi rivolge (particolarmente commovente, a mio dire, la parte dedicata al periodo della guerra e del nazismo).
Le illustrazioni di Bauer sono essenziali e poetiche, capaci di trasmettere con grande efficacia i sentimenti di affetto e nostalgia, oltre che il legame fra nonno e nipote, fra una generazione che ormai ha vissuto la propria vita e una che ha la vita ancora tutta davanti a sé.
Il libro esplora temi universali come il legame familiare, la memoria, la guerra e il trascorrere del tempo, offrendo un messaggio di amore e speranza.
È una lettura affascinante, che invita ad una riflessione sulla bellezza delle relazioni intergenerazionali e sull'importanza di custodire i ricordi preziosi. Un'opera che incanta per la sua semplicità e per la capacità di toccare il cuore.
Libro adatto sia a bambini che adulti, e non necessariamente credenti.

[Alice Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very moving story set in Germany follows a grandfather who is looking back and reminiscing over his life, including his experiences fighting in the second world war and the many times he managed to narrowly avoid death. It is made special through a depiction of a guardian angel who is always shown above or around the grandfather, watching over him. It is never explicitly mentioned, but this ghostly figure is appears on every page, experiencing everything alongside the grandfather.

Bauer's style bears a resemblance to Quentin Blake as the illustrations are both humorous and poignant as they tell a sad story. Children could learn about the events of WW2, considering people's feelings and emotions in Germany, and how Jutta uses this in her book.

[Cheryl]

I'll have to think about this one awhile. Of course I know guardian angels aren't real, but I don't believe Bauer needs me to in order to appreciate her theme. I mean, the theme could be as simple as 'be grateful for all the good luck and bits of joy in your life.' But obviously it's richer than that, too. And the art looks like unfinished sketches, but obviously I'm not appreciating their value, either. Hmm....

openlibrary.org
(which also has other works by her, original and translation)

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandpa tells the little boy in this story, "You know, my boy, nothing could ever hurt me."

His secret of success --or, at least, protection -- is his Guardian Angel.

By the end of the story, Grandpa has passed along his belief to his grandson.

For those of you who find this story inspiring, I'll rate this tale with FIVE STARS.

Personally, Though?

Here's a different perspective about loving angels, even worshiping them.

Worshiping angels, trusting angels, gets in the way of a person's relationship with God.

[A YOGAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vor über 18 Jahren war dies ein vielschichtiges Buch, das einerseits dazu beitragen kann, dass das Thema Tod in der Kinderliteratur nicht zur Randerscheinung wird, und andererseits die Tabuisierung des Todes in der Gesellschaft reflektiert. Die sprachliche Manifestation des Todes und seiner Folgen sucht man vergebens. Meine Kinder stellten damals zahlreiche Fragen zum Thema Tod. Beim Lesen einer Depesche über den Tod von Jupp Derwall am 26. 6. 2007 fragte meine Tochter lapidar: „Warum ist er nicht schon gestern gestorben?“ Diesen Satz habe ich nie vergessen. Zwei Tage später berichtete sie gleich nach dem Aufstehen: „Papa, wir haben vorher diskutiert, wer zuerst stirbt.“ Auf meine Nachfrage, um welche Personen es gehe, nannte sie „Von der ganzen Welt, der Jan, der Sven, der Timo…?“ Ihr Bruder fügte hinzu: „Die alten Opas sterben zuerst.“

[Ilana (illi69) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old man laying in a hospital bed tells his grandson the story of his life, not realizing that the whole time there was an angel at his side who helped him along every step of the way. The story is very simply told, with few words and with Bauer's signature simple illustrations that speak volumes. Loved it with a capital "L". ★★★★½

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are minimal as in they don't cover the entire page, but I enjoyed this book. The illustrations are really delightful and I like the use of colors in them as well. It was cool to see how a guardian angel protected the grandpa through his life from various disasters.

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very warming story set in Germany follows a grandfather who is looking back at his life, including his experiences fighting in the second world war and the many times he was faced with death. The book depicts a guardian angel who is always shown with the grandfather, watching over him.

[Dulce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tierno. bueno para enseñar sobre el trascender como otra forma de llamarle a la muerte

[Mariana Anaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy tierno, lo leí en eso de veinte minutos y me encantó.

[Mónica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Em português: O Anjo de meu avô

[Pen Winton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gusta mucho las ilustraciones. Era un poco triste las cosas que han pasado en la vida del abuelo. El ángel le cuidaba hasta el final.

[Faraz Niazmand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small but Great book. Loved it !