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Hitler's Canary
Although he comes from a family of theater people who don't get involved in politics, ten-year-old Bamse and his Jewish friend Anton join Bamse's brother and participate in the Danish Resistance during World War II. 25,000 first printing.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
78 people are currently reading
1979 people want to read
About the author
Sandi Toksvig
111 books548 followersDanish/British writer, presenter, comedian, actress and producer on British radio and television. She currently presents The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 and 1001 Things You Should Know on Channel 4. In October 2012 she succeeded Sheila Hancock as Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews
May 27, 2017
3.5 stars; higher for children as readers.
Simple writing; a quick read; not detailed, yet has some depth for a child to think; probably one of the best books written for children about this topic.
The one condition necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.That's the quote with which the book begins. Very well-written, about the Danish resistance to the German occupation (1940-1945), the book is almost completely based upon facts from memories of the author's father, about all the ways in which his family (along with others in Denmark) did to save the lives of several Jews in their country in late 1943.
- Edmund Burke
Simple writing; a quick read; not detailed, yet has some depth for a child to think; probably one of the best books written for children about this topic.
"The world is afraid ... of anything that is different. It might be Jews or gypsies or witches or anything that they don't really understand. You must stand up for everyone's right to be who they are - otherwise you may find one day that it is you who is singled out, who is seen as different, and then there will be no one to defend you."The book's narrative is from a child's point-of-view, who stands for the author's father during his time, and other characters who also existed back then. For all that's here (and also especially from a Danish perspective), this is a book pretty much recommended.
April 17, 2011
I am in love with Denmark right now. In love. And proud to be Danish. This book was a pleasure to read. It was about WWII which I have a thing for reading about, but it was different than any other Nazi book I've read because this was about the Danish resistance. Absolutely amazing stuff. The little boy Bamse, the main character, was so loveable and believable and wonderful and his family was quirky and weird and loveable, too. His mom was an incredibly dramatic actress who lived her entire life as though she were the female lead. I can't sum up this book and do it justice, so you'll just have to read it. And then move to Denmark with me. I think I really would love it there.
May 17, 2020
3 ⭐️’s (Like). A charming tale about the Second World War told from the perspective of a 12-year-old child. Toksvig spotlights an unknown angle of a very well-known historical period.
March 1, 2016
I was killing time at the library supervising a kid when this young adult book caught my eye. This book has a similar theme to Lois Lowry's teen book, Number the Stars, about the Nazi occupation in Denmark. This book is a bit different in that it is able to be slightly comical yet get across important messages about the Holocaust, which isn't an easy feat. It focuses on 2 young male friends, one of which is Jewish. The main boy's family helps with the Danish resistance--they ultimately hide and help Jews escape to Sweden in a rather elaborate way. You have the mother who is a dramatic, quick-witted actress taking everything too far (which sometimes pays off); her gay and jewish male seamtress/stylist/make-up artist companion (who dresses as a woman to evade Nazis at one point); a calm artist father with a disfigurement; a brother arrested for his resistance; an uncle who is intially okay with the Nazi occupation; a taxi driver who runs his car on cow poo and has her at one point on the back of the car for refuelings; and a bunch of other characters. I think this is a good introduction for teens or preteens about the Nazi occupation in Denmark which isn't a common topic. It also is not as depressing as other Holocaust stories, so I think it is a good intro for kids. It is amazing how the Danes were able to save so many of their Jewish citizens. The book is actually based on some real facts from the author's family during that time.
December 7, 2015
This book was pretty good, how it was like an act at the start I loved. I feel remorse that Thomas had to die, out of 8000 danish jews who made it to safety. Only a couple hundred danish jews died in the camps.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2016
I love Sandi's writing style and she has opened my eyes to an unknown side of a very well-known historical period.
May 7, 2012
Strangely, I had never heard of this book until a member of our book club suggested to read it for this month's meeting. It's strange because I am a huge fan of Sandi Toksvig and religiously listen to her weekly "News Quiz" on BBC radio as well as watch her on TV for numberous news and stand-up comedy shows. I should know that she is written not that this one but other books, too. She is brilliant, smart, witty and....
(half) Danish.
Which is the other reason why it's strange that I'd never heard of this book. My partner has a Danish passport, and even though he's only ever lived in Denmark for about a year, he is very much into all things Danish (obviously this book was written in English - the author is at home in the UK - and it may not even have been translated into Danish, but still). Furthermore, having been born in Hamburg myself (part of which used to be in Danish hands, ironically), this is a story close to my childhood home, and obviously another angle of recent German and European history that I should have much known more about, even before picking up this book.
Now, about the book:
"Hitler's Canary" is not a piece of world-class literature, and I am not giving it four stars for style or beautiful prose, but four stars on Goodreads mean that "I really liked it" and that I did. It reminded me quite a bit of "The boy in the striped pyjamas", another WW2 story written from the perspective of a ten year old non-Jewish boy. The other striking similarity is that it's written in the first person narrative, and the book is clearly aimed at young adults, if not middle-grade children. Personally, I am a fan of books written for that age group as I generally appreciate the pace at which the story moves along as well as the honest descriptions of people's characters and their behaviours. I also believe that these important, recent historical events are best relayed to young readers through the eyes of someone their own age.
Bamse, the initially 10 year old narrator, is actually the author's father, and perhaps what makes the story so engaging is knowing that virtually all of the book is based on facts (as factual as a story can be when events and anecdotes are orally relayed between family members over decades).
"Hitler's Canary" is a phrase the Brits used to describe the Danes with on the BBC when the Germans first invaded Denmark without any or little resistance being offered by the Danes.
Hitler has us in a cage and we just sit and sing any tune he wants.
Over the years that followed the initial occupation of Denmark in 1940, however, the Danes built up an effective underground resistance movement. Bamse's older brother is an active key member of it and eventually gets the rest of the family on board. Thanks to their many acts of bravery, Hitler's henchmen managed to kill less than 2% (ca 120 individuals) of Denmark's Jews despite their best efforts to catch, deport and gas the lot of them. The surviving Jews mostly owed their lives to their fellow Danish countrymen who showed enourmous civil courage and risked their own lives in the process - approximately 3'000 members of the Danish resistance movement were killed during the war.
(half) Danish.
Which is the other reason why it's strange that I'd never heard of this book. My partner has a Danish passport, and even though he's only ever lived in Denmark for about a year, he is very much into all things Danish (obviously this book was written in English - the author is at home in the UK - and it may not even have been translated into Danish, but still). Furthermore, having been born in Hamburg myself (part of which used to be in Danish hands, ironically), this is a story close to my childhood home, and obviously another angle of recent German and European history that I should have much known more about, even before picking up this book.
Now, about the book:
"Hitler's Canary" is not a piece of world-class literature, and I am not giving it four stars for style or beautiful prose, but four stars on Goodreads mean that "I really liked it" and that I did. It reminded me quite a bit of "The boy in the striped pyjamas", another WW2 story written from the perspective of a ten year old non-Jewish boy. The other striking similarity is that it's written in the first person narrative, and the book is clearly aimed at young adults, if not middle-grade children. Personally, I am a fan of books written for that age group as I generally appreciate the pace at which the story moves along as well as the honest descriptions of people's characters and their behaviours. I also believe that these important, recent historical events are best relayed to young readers through the eyes of someone their own age.
Bamse, the initially 10 year old narrator, is actually the author's father, and perhaps what makes the story so engaging is knowing that virtually all of the book is based on facts (as factual as a story can be when events and anecdotes are orally relayed between family members over decades).
"Hitler's Canary" is a phrase the Brits used to describe the Danes with on the BBC when the Germans first invaded Denmark without any or little resistance being offered by the Danes.
Hitler has us in a cage and we just sit and sing any tune he wants.
Over the years that followed the initial occupation of Denmark in 1940, however, the Danes built up an effective underground resistance movement. Bamse's older brother is an active key member of it and eventually gets the rest of the family on board. Thanks to their many acts of bravery, Hitler's henchmen managed to kill less than 2% (ca 120 individuals) of Denmark's Jews despite their best efforts to catch, deport and gas the lot of them. The surviving Jews mostly owed their lives to their fellow Danish countrymen who showed enourmous civil courage and risked their own lives in the process - approximately 3'000 members of the Danish resistance movement were killed during the war.
May 19, 2019
I certainly did not expect that this middle-grade novel would turn out to be a heavy read. The story starts off on a bitter note where the German troops invade Denmark in a bid to occupy and take control over it. Little did the twelve-year-old Bknow that his dear homeland would never be the same again after the invasion.
🎭
Many of the characters in the novel are based on the author's father and the events depicted were inspired by the stories he told her. I learned about this fact only towards the end. Had I known it earlier, I'd have read the book earnestly.
🎭
It was really interesting to read about how the war impacted little Bamse's life. He narrates the story in a lucid manner and him being an innocent child, it was kind of depressing to learn the hardships that he had to go through at such an early age.
🎭
Once you go past the halfway mark, the plot thrusts forward and you'd witness how the resilient Danish people stood up for the fellow Jews by taking part in one of history's most dramatic rescues. I absolutely loved those portions. It was so heartwarming to read how Bamse and his family executed it and saved hundreds of Jews from being executed by Hitler's army.
🎭
It packs a menagerie of emotional moments. The happy ones, the not so happy ones, the depressing ones, the tense ones and most importantly, the inspiring ones. Loved it
🎭
Many of the characters in the novel are based on the author's father and the events depicted were inspired by the stories he told her. I learned about this fact only towards the end. Had I known it earlier, I'd have read the book earnestly.
🎭
It was really interesting to read about how the war impacted little Bamse's life. He narrates the story in a lucid manner and him being an innocent child, it was kind of depressing to learn the hardships that he had to go through at such an early age.
🎭
Once you go past the halfway mark, the plot thrusts forward and you'd witness how the resilient Danish people stood up for the fellow Jews by taking part in one of history's most dramatic rescues. I absolutely loved those portions. It was so heartwarming to read how Bamse and his family executed it and saved hundreds of Jews from being executed by Hitler's army.
🎭
It packs a menagerie of emotional moments. The happy ones, the not so happy ones, the depressing ones, the tense ones and most importantly, the inspiring ones. Loved it
September 9, 2016
I read this book with my 10 years old child. There is not so much known and told about the danish resistance and their actions to save the jews (there weren't many jews in Denemark but even so less that 2% were killed, to compare to 75% of the dutch jews...) and with this book I myself came to learn some things.
It is a nice book for 10-12 years old. even very funny sometimes and not too horrible (because war is).
one thing bothers me though, it was clear the writer aimed that we conclude that Thomas (the character I liked the most), the mother's collegue/friend was gay but she apparently thought you must not write gay in a children's book only "imply" it with stereotypes. On the other hand, she didn't write he was gay so he may be bisexual and we can read it as a book about a polyamorous family in the danish resistance
It is a nice book for 10-12 years old. even very funny sometimes and not too horrible (because war is).
one thing bothers me though, it was clear the writer aimed that we conclude that Thomas (the character I liked the most), the mother's collegue/friend was gay but she apparently thought you must not write gay in a children's book only "imply" it with stereotypes. On the other hand, she didn't write he was gay so he may be bisexual and we can read it as a book about a polyamorous family in the danish resistance
maybe
April 23, 2015
Bamse Swedish style!Description: "My brother stood up so quickly he almost knocked Mama over. 'Why aren't you doing something? Do you know what the British are calling us? Hitler's canary! I've heard it on the radio, on the BBC. They say he has us in a cage and we just sit and sing any tune he wants.'"
Bamse's family are theater people. They don't get involved in politics. "it had nothing to do with us," Bamse tells us. Yet now he must decide: should he take his father's advice and not stir up trouble? Or should he follow his brother into the Resistance and take part in the most demanding role of his life?
To look into further.
May 24, 2020
Nuostabi novele, ikvepta autores tevo gyvenimo istorijos. Tinka tiek suaugusiajam, tiek paaugliui.
Istorija perteikta desimties metu berniuko akimis apie Danijos vaidmeni II Pasauliniame kare ir zydu gelbejimo operacijoje. “Pries kara mes jautemes linksmai, patogiau ir jaukiai (hyggelig). O tada is pietu puses musu gatviu grindiniu zasies zingsniu atzygiavo milzinas ir pamegino mus paversti kambarinemis kanarelemis.”
Knygos stilius zaismingas, gylis neismatuojamas. Nagrinejamos baimes, drasos ir pasipriesinimo temos. “Hitleris mus laiko narve, o mes tik tupim ir giedam tokias melodijas, kokiu jis nori“.
Paliesta lygiu teisiu tema. “Siuose namuose skirtumai gerbiami. Jei nori zinoti, visi tie ziaurus kare dalykai ir prasideda tada, kai zmones ima per daug galvoti, kuo jie skiriasi nuo kitu.”
“Pasaulis bijo visu, kas yra kitokie. Tai gali buti zydai, cigonai, raganos ar dar kas nors, ko zmones nesupranta. Privalai ginti kiekvieno teise buti savimi - kitaip viena diena gali paaisketi, kad tave isskyre is kitu, nes atrodai kitoks, ir tada nebus taves kam apginti.”
Labai ryskus charakeriai. Susizavejau motinos aktores personazu, kuri i kiekviena situacija ziurejo tarsi i scena, kuria reikia suvaidinti. “Jei kada teks vaidinti gyvenimo pjeseje, vaidink tik karaliu arba karaliene, nes karaliskosios seimos nariai visuomet gauna kur atsisesti ir niekad nenesioja butaforiju.”:)
Auksine mintis: “Viskas, ko reikia, kad blogis triumfuotu, tai - kad geri zmones nieko nedarytu.”
Istorija perteikta desimties metu berniuko akimis apie Danijos vaidmeni II Pasauliniame kare ir zydu gelbejimo operacijoje. “Pries kara mes jautemes linksmai, patogiau ir jaukiai (hyggelig). O tada is pietu puses musu gatviu grindiniu zasies zingsniu atzygiavo milzinas ir pamegino mus paversti kambarinemis kanarelemis.”
Knygos stilius zaismingas, gylis neismatuojamas. Nagrinejamos baimes, drasos ir pasipriesinimo temos. “Hitleris mus laiko narve, o mes tik tupim ir giedam tokias melodijas, kokiu jis nori“.
Paliesta lygiu teisiu tema. “Siuose namuose skirtumai gerbiami. Jei nori zinoti, visi tie ziaurus kare dalykai ir prasideda tada, kai zmones ima per daug galvoti, kuo jie skiriasi nuo kitu.”
“Pasaulis bijo visu, kas yra kitokie. Tai gali buti zydai, cigonai, raganos ar dar kas nors, ko zmones nesupranta. Privalai ginti kiekvieno teise buti savimi - kitaip viena diena gali paaisketi, kad tave isskyre is kitu, nes atrodai kitoks, ir tada nebus taves kam apginti.”
Labai ryskus charakeriai. Susizavejau motinos aktores personazu, kuri i kiekviena situacija ziurejo tarsi i scena, kuria reikia suvaidinti. “Jei kada teks vaidinti gyvenimo pjeseje, vaidink tik karaliu arba karaliene, nes karaliskosios seimos nariai visuomet gauna kur atsisesti ir niekad nenesioja butaforiju.”:)
Auksine mintis: “Viskas, ko reikia, kad blogis triumfuotu, tai - kad geri zmones nieko nedarytu.”
August 22, 2016
It's April 1940 and suddenly the sunny blue sky over Copenhagen, Denmark is dark with airplanes. The German Luftwaffe is dropping leaflets telling the Danes that the Germans have come to protect them from the evil British and French.
At first, life doesn't change much for Bamse, the 10 year old son of a famous stage actress and a set designer/painter father, or for his best friend Anton, also 10 and Jewish. They keep their heads down and try to stay out of trouble.
But Bamse begins to notice his older brother's odd new behavior. Orlando refuses to be quiet and allow his country to be invaded and occupied, and he's especially angry that the Danes are being called Hitler's Canary in Britain, because they didn't fight back and now, they are just being quiet and docile towards the Germans. It is particularly galling to Orlando, since Denmark was a country the believed in freedom and equality for all.
After letting Orlando know that they are aware of his activities, Bamse and Anton begin running resistance errands for him. At first, it all seems exciting and fun to the two young boys, but as time goes by, Nazi oppression begins to be felt more and more. To make matters worse, incidents against Jews increase. Then Bamse's family is rocked when it is discovered that sister Masha has become romantically involved with a young German soldier, actually meeting him at night in the family garden.
To top that off, Uncle Johann arrives in Copenhagen, announcing he will be staying with the family, a situation that becomes awkward when they discover he is a Nazi sympathizer, thinking they are right about the Jews ruining everything in Denmark, despite evidence to the contrary. Fear and occupation begin to feel real and scary for Bamse and Anton when they learn that Orlando has been arrested, along with the other resistance members. Arriving at the dentist's office that also served the resistance, they find it has been ransacked by the Nazis, and everything in it confiscated.
Though Bamse's father had believed that the Nazis would never deport the Danish Jews if they all cooperated, in 1943, word leaks out that they do indeed plan on rounding up all of Denmark's Jews on Rosh Hashanah, figuring they will all be home for the Jewish New Year. Knowing that the Nazis are watching their apartment, Bamse's family and neighbors quickly mobilize to hide Anton and his family, plus a few more Jews who are in their apartment.
We do know that Denmark's approximately 7,800 Jews were almost all save, but will Bamse's friend Anton and his family make it out of their hiding place and to Sweden before the Nazis find them?
Hitler's Canary is a captivating novel that is based on the experiences of author's Danish family in World War II, which may be why it has such a strong feeling of reality despite being historical fiction. Told in the first person by Bamse (the character modeled on the author's father), he proves to be quite a lively narrator, easily detailing his exploits with Anton for the resistance with both gravity and humor. He also details the way life was before the Nazis arrived in Denmark, so the reader can compare the changes under Nazi occupation. Denmark had long ago granted full emancipation to the Jews living there, and, for the most part, they lived quiet lives among friends and neighbors. So when it came time to decide what to do when word came that the Nazis planned on rounding the Jews up, most Danes believed that preventing that from happening was just the right thing to do, and Bamse makes sure his readers understand that.
I had picked up Hitler's Canary a while ago and just couldn't get into it, so when I saw it in the library, I decided to give it another try and I am so glad I did. The characters are all so wonderful. I loved Bamse's mother Marie. She is such an eccentric person, drawing on lines from past plays she had acted in whenever the situation called for a response. But when it counted, she came through, even if it cost her more than she could possibly imagine. Bamse's father is more down to earth, though sometimes taking the path of least resistance, but in the end, he, too, really understands the seriousness of the Jewish situation and comes through.
At one point in the story, the boys from the Churchill Club are mentioned, and for anyone familiar with this resistance ground, it will add more of a sense of reality to the novel, reminding readers that all over Denmark, people were active underground in a effort to sabotage everything the Nazi's did in their country.
Hitler's Canary is a thought provoking novel about courage, loyalty, the importance of family and friends in difficult times, demonstrating that people can make a difference if they work together.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
FYI: it was Winston Churchill who called the Danes "Hitler's pet canary" for not fighting back when the Nazis invaded their country, but in all fairness, the Danish were a peaceful people and their fighting forces were just not match for the Germans. On the other hand, they had a great resistance movement that really drove the Nazis to distraction.
This review was originally posted on The Children's War
At first, life doesn't change much for Bamse, the 10 year old son of a famous stage actress and a set designer/painter father, or for his best friend Anton, also 10 and Jewish. They keep their heads down and try to stay out of trouble.
But Bamse begins to notice his older brother's odd new behavior. Orlando refuses to be quiet and allow his country to be invaded and occupied, and he's especially angry that the Danes are being called Hitler's Canary in Britain, because they didn't fight back and now, they are just being quiet and docile towards the Germans. It is particularly galling to Orlando, since Denmark was a country the believed in freedom and equality for all.
After letting Orlando know that they are aware of his activities, Bamse and Anton begin running resistance errands for him. At first, it all seems exciting and fun to the two young boys, but as time goes by, Nazi oppression begins to be felt more and more. To make matters worse, incidents against Jews increase. Then Bamse's family is rocked when it is discovered that sister Masha has become romantically involved with a young German soldier, actually meeting him at night in the family garden.
To top that off, Uncle Johann arrives in Copenhagen, announcing he will be staying with the family, a situation that becomes awkward when they discover he is a Nazi sympathizer, thinking they are right about the Jews ruining everything in Denmark, despite evidence to the contrary. Fear and occupation begin to feel real and scary for Bamse and Anton when they learn that Orlando has been arrested, along with the other resistance members. Arriving at the dentist's office that also served the resistance, they find it has been ransacked by the Nazis, and everything in it confiscated.
Though Bamse's father had believed that the Nazis would never deport the Danish Jews if they all cooperated, in 1943, word leaks out that they do indeed plan on rounding up all of Denmark's Jews on Rosh Hashanah, figuring they will all be home for the Jewish New Year. Knowing that the Nazis are watching their apartment, Bamse's family and neighbors quickly mobilize to hide Anton and his family, plus a few more Jews who are in their apartment.
We do know that Denmark's approximately 7,800 Jews were almost all save, but will Bamse's friend Anton and his family make it out of their hiding place and to Sweden before the Nazis find them?
Hitler's Canary is a captivating novel that is based on the experiences of author's Danish family in World War II, which may be why it has such a strong feeling of reality despite being historical fiction. Told in the first person by Bamse (the character modeled on the author's father), he proves to be quite a lively narrator, easily detailing his exploits with Anton for the resistance with both gravity and humor. He also details the way life was before the Nazis arrived in Denmark, so the reader can compare the changes under Nazi occupation. Denmark had long ago granted full emancipation to the Jews living there, and, for the most part, they lived quiet lives among friends and neighbors. So when it came time to decide what to do when word came that the Nazis planned on rounding the Jews up, most Danes believed that preventing that from happening was just the right thing to do, and Bamse makes sure his readers understand that.
I had picked up Hitler's Canary a while ago and just couldn't get into it, so when I saw it in the library, I decided to give it another try and I am so glad I did. The characters are all so wonderful. I loved Bamse's mother Marie. She is such an eccentric person, drawing on lines from past plays she had acted in whenever the situation called for a response. But when it counted, she came through, even if it cost her more than she could possibly imagine. Bamse's father is more down to earth, though sometimes taking the path of least resistance, but in the end, he, too, really understands the seriousness of the Jewish situation and comes through.
At one point in the story, the boys from the Churchill Club are mentioned, and for anyone familiar with this resistance ground, it will add more of a sense of reality to the novel, reminding readers that all over Denmark, people were active underground in a effort to sabotage everything the Nazi's did in their country.
Hitler's Canary is a thought provoking novel about courage, loyalty, the importance of family and friends in difficult times, demonstrating that people can make a difference if they work together.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
FYI: it was Winston Churchill who called the Danes "Hitler's pet canary" for not fighting back when the Nazis invaded their country, but in all fairness, the Danish were a peaceful people and their fighting forces were just not match for the Germans. On the other hand, they had a great resistance movement that really drove the Nazis to distraction.
This review was originally posted on The Children's War
March 25, 2021
This was such a powerful book. When people think about World War Two, they often think about the British and French armies fighting in Europe against the nazis, however this historically accurate story discusses what life was like in Denmark. I was hooked from start to finish, and I felt incredibly emotional while reading it. Definitely worth a read, it was a real eye opener!
May 27, 2025
The story of the Jews in Denmark is an important one and, while this book does tell a part of that story, I don't know that I can recommend it. The premise of theater people using their skills to resist was an interesting one that didn't really pay off.
November 19, 2024
2.5 ⭐️; definitely a good book about this dark chapter in history for a youth… Whiffs of history repeating itself nowadays, so I recommend this for younger readers.
February 16, 2022
I read this with my Year 6 class as our topic this half term is World War 2 based.
I've read examples of historical fiction based in WW2 but this is the first based in Denmark and their experience of the war. A story of hope, humanity and heroism. We simply loved this book!
I've read examples of historical fiction based in WW2 but this is the first based in Denmark and their experience of the war. A story of hope, humanity and heroism. We simply loved this book!
January 20, 2024
Das Buch habe ich in unserem öffentlichen Bücherschrank meiner Schule entdeckt.
Dänemark, Kopenhagen, Theater, Widerstand gegen Nazis - natürlich liebe ich dieses Buch!
Dänemark, Kopenhagen, Theater, Widerstand gegen Nazis - natürlich liebe ich dieses Buch!
March 20, 2022
geloof ik vergat de schrijver soms dat bamse 12 was, maar dat wil ik haar wel vergeven.
January 4, 2018
An incredible story about doing what’s right and standing up for people who are being persecuted. Set in WW2 Denmark, centres around a complicated family, each trying to do their bit to fight against the Germans. You meet amazing Orlando, the young, spirited boy who wants to fight the resistance most; Mama, an incredible actress who radiates laughter and warmth; Papa, the realist of the household, an artist who uses his artistic expression greatly and Bamse, the main character. Bamse is young and afraid, but knows he needs to stand up for his best friend.
This book hit me hard at the end. Tears were shed.
This book hit me hard at the end. Tears were shed.
July 4, 2025
Occupied Denmark in WW2 from the point of view of a 12 year old. So good!
April 22, 2014
Not going to lie, I have a soft spot for all things Danish after having had the good fortune to meet some really kind, fun and interesting Danish people over the years. As such, I may have a slight bias towards all things groovy and Danish (or half Danish in Sandi Toksvig's case).
This story's written for children but had a warmth and optimism (and even humour at times) mixed in with the sadness that made it a good read for an adult who's read a fair chunk of the darker WWII-related lit. over the years.
Whilst parts of the story are occasionally under-developed, the over-arching ideas and themes are clearly stated throughout: not all the Germans were bad and not all the Danes were good. "There were just some good people and some bad people and it wasn’t always easy to tell the difference".
This story's written for children but had a warmth and optimism (and even humour at times) mixed in with the sadness that made it a good read for an adult who's read a fair chunk of the darker WWII-related lit. over the years.
Whilst parts of the story are occasionally under-developed, the over-arching ideas and themes are clearly stated throughout: not all the Germans were bad and not all the Danes were good. "There were just some good people and some bad people and it wasn’t always easy to tell the difference".
December 4, 2011
This is really a children's story. However, like many children's books it has a much deeper story than many adult books. The simple way it is written through the eyes of a boy still in short trousers about a serious issue [how the Danes reacted to Nazi treatment of the Jews] was in my view a minor classic.
I thoroughly enjoyed it to the point of constantly picking it up until I had too soon, finished it. It is funny, dark, illuminating of human nature and true to life in the way people constantly surprise us, not always for the worst.
A lovely story and so much more uplifting and optimistic than many 'Holocaust' stories. Read it. Enjoy it!
I thoroughly enjoyed it to the point of constantly picking it up until I had too soon, finished it. It is funny, dark, illuminating of human nature and true to life in the way people constantly surprise us, not always for the worst.
A lovely story and so much more uplifting and optimistic than many 'Holocaust' stories. Read it. Enjoy it!
January 14, 2018
Excellent in every way. Loved it and think you should read it. I learned a lot about the Danish resistance. It is a very quick read.
165: You must stand up for everyone's right to be be who they are- otherwise you may find one day that it is you who is singled out, who is seen as different, and then there will be no one to defend you.
27:Do whatever you do well. You never know- it might just save your life.
14 Learned a new word,"livskunst” the art of living.
8 Remembering to laugh when things were bad was what Mama did best.
(What an amazing gift to give to a child!)
165: You must stand up for everyone's right to be be who they are- otherwise you may find one day that it is you who is singled out, who is seen as different, and then there will be no one to defend you.
27:Do whatever you do well. You never know- it might just save your life.
14 Learned a new word,"livskunst” the art of living.
8 Remembering to laugh when things were bad was what Mama did best.
(What an amazing gift to give to a child!)
June 14, 2008
This story, based on real people and real events from the author's family history, concerns an aspect of WWII that we hear less about: The German occupation of Denmark. Hitler used Denmark's factories and workers to fuel his war effort, and because the people didn't actively fight him, Denmark was often called "Hitler's Canary" because he had them caged up and they would sing for him. There was actually a lot of resistance on many levels. This is a bittersweet story of national pride and unity
October 28, 2014
Het was een goed boek over de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Ik vind dat Sandi Toksvig wat er met de joden is gebeurt en het verzet heel goed beschrijft. Ik raad het zeker aan als je meer wilt weten over de Tweede Wereldoorlog en gewoon als een goed en spannend boek. Ik las het namelijk in de pauzes op school en ik had hem bijna uit en toen ging de bel. Dat vond ik echt heel irritant. In dit verhaal kan je dan ook helemaal verdwijnen.
January 12, 2016
Hitlers Canary is a very interesting book, it is about a boy called Bamse from a danish family that is going through the world war 2. Bamse, Orlando, and Anton join a team against the Nazi's and try to give revenge. I think what makes the story more interesting is how Bamse has a sister who is in a relationship with a Nazi soldier, and the book is also based on a true story of the authors fathers experiences in the world war.
January 7, 2016
This is a great story about Bamse, his brother Orlando and his jewish friend Anton playing pranks on German Soldiers which claimed Denmark, where they were living. Bamse and his family was also trying to get their fellow jews escape to Sweden for freedom.
The beginning of this story it was a bit boring, but till the end it was very enjoyable and interesting.
The beginning of this story it was a bit boring, but till the end it was very enjoyable and interesting.
November 22, 2008
A great story about the German occupation of Denmark and the Danish resistance told from an eleven year old boys point of view.
November 30, 2015
Some parts of the book were really interesting and mysterious but some parts I didn't understand at all! But I think that some parts were very touching!
December 7, 2015
This story was a bit boring for me, it progressed really slowly and was a bit boring. Was good though.
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