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Erika's Story
A Jewish woman recounts how her mother was able to spare her from the horrors of the Holocaust as an infant.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
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October 22, 2025
Baseada numa história real, este livro ilustrado conta como a autora, Ruth Vander Zee, conheceu Erika, uma senhora idosa que lhe narrou a sua história.
Durante o horror do holocausto e durante a viagem de comboio o que podiam fazer os pais, desesperados e sem ânimo, pelos filhos?
Erika não soube nem nunca vai saber como foi tomada a decisão dos seus pais mas ao passar por uma vila, o comboio abrandou a marcha e foi lançada em bebé pela janela pequena do vagão entregue a uma outra sorte.
"𝗡𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲, 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗮 𝗺ã𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻ç𝗼𝘂-𝗺𝗲 à 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗮."
Uma outra mulher escolheu uma data de nascimento para ela assim como o nome de Erika. Foi ela que lhe deu colo, amor e a viu crescer.
É um relato que nos mostra como foi importante para Erika a reconstrução da sua identidade e das suas raízes.
"𝗔𝗹𝗴𝘂é𝗺 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝘂 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗿í𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼. 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗵õ𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺-𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝟭𝟵𝟯𝟯 𝗲 𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟱. 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗶 𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂í𝗱𝗮, 𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗯é𝗺 𝘂𝗺𝗮 á𝗿𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗱a."
De salientar as magníficas ilustrações de Roberto Innocenti.
Durante o horror do holocausto e durante a viagem de comboio o que podiam fazer os pais, desesperados e sem ânimo, pelos filhos?
Erika não soube nem nunca vai saber como foi tomada a decisão dos seus pais mas ao passar por uma vila, o comboio abrandou a marcha e foi lançada em bebé pela janela pequena do vagão entregue a uma outra sorte.
"𝗡𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲, 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗮 𝗺ã𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻ç𝗼𝘂-𝗺𝗲 à 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗮."
Uma outra mulher escolheu uma data de nascimento para ela assim como o nome de Erika. Foi ela que lhe deu colo, amor e a viu crescer.
É um relato que nos mostra como foi importante para Erika a reconstrução da sua identidade e das suas raízes.
"𝗔𝗹𝗴𝘂é𝗺 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝘂 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗿í𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼. 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗵õ𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺-𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝟭𝟵𝟯𝟯 𝗲 𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟱. 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗶 𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂í𝗱𝗮, 𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗯é𝗺 𝘂𝗺𝗮 á𝗿𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗱a."
De salientar as magníficas ilustrações de Roberto Innocenti.
November 2, 2025
Uma história verídica contada por meio de frases curtas e diretas, onde predominam as perguntas — compreensível, já que Erika, conhecida por acaso pela autora durante uma viagem à Alemanha, pouco ou nada sabia dos seus pais biológicos. Judeus, presos num vagão em andamento e a caminho de um campo de concentração, tomaram uma decisão desesperada: atirá-la por uma pequena janela, salvando-a de uma morte certa.
Com apenas 24 páginas, História de Erika é um livro ilustrado que evoca um dos períodos mais sombrios da história mundial - o Holocausto - durante o qual cerca de seis milhões de judeus terão perdido a vida por conta dos ideais do regime de extrema-direita nazi. Sim, seis milhões de pessoas.
Apesar de ser dirigido a crianças a partir dos 10 anos e de integrar o Plano Nacional de Leitura, este é um livro que provoca emoções intensas. As ilustrações, hiper-realistas e em tons escuros, reforçam a atmosfera pesada. Ao mesmo tempo, o facto de nunca vermos claramente os rostos das figuras representadas cria uma estranha proximidade: qualquer uma daquelas sombras poderia ser alguém conhecido. Basta imaginarmos.
O ilustrador recorre ainda a momentos coloridos, situados já depois do Holocausto, remetendo-nos para momentos de paz e esperança.
Escreveu a autora:
”Pergunto-me o que teriam sentido enquanto os levavam em manadas para a estação com outras centenas de judeus. Comprimidos num vagão para gado, de pé e sem se poderem mexer. Ter-se-iam arrepiado quando ouviram as portas fechar?”
Gostei muito e só não dou as 5 estrelas porque, apesar de tudo, queria mais páginas.
Com apenas 24 páginas, História de Erika é um livro ilustrado que evoca um dos períodos mais sombrios da história mundial - o Holocausto - durante o qual cerca de seis milhões de judeus terão perdido a vida por conta dos ideais do regime de extrema-direita nazi. Sim, seis milhões de pessoas.
Apesar de ser dirigido a crianças a partir dos 10 anos e de integrar o Plano Nacional de Leitura, este é um livro que provoca emoções intensas. As ilustrações, hiper-realistas e em tons escuros, reforçam a atmosfera pesada. Ao mesmo tempo, o facto de nunca vermos claramente os rostos das figuras representadas cria uma estranha proximidade: qualquer uma daquelas sombras poderia ser alguém conhecido. Basta imaginarmos.
O ilustrador recorre ainda a momentos coloridos, situados já depois do Holocausto, remetendo-nos para momentos de paz e esperança.
Escreveu a autora:
”Pergunto-me o que teriam sentido enquanto os levavam em manadas para a estação com outras centenas de judeus. Comprimidos num vagão para gado, de pé e sem se poderem mexer. Ter-se-iam arrepiado quando ouviram as portas fechar?”
Gostei muito e só não dou as 5 estrelas porque, apesar de tudo, queria mais páginas.
February 16, 2015
http://silenciosquefalam.blogspot.pt/...
Em nota introdutória de 'A História de Erika', obra que agora é editada pela segunda vez pela Kalandraka, a autora do livro esclarece aos leitores: «Em 1995, passados cinquenta anos do fim da Segunda Guerra Mundial, conheci a protagonista desta história.»
«No seu caminho para a morte, a minha mãe lançou-me para a vida.»
Em nota introdutória de 'A História de Erika', obra que agora é editada pela segunda vez pela Kalandraka, a autora do livro esclarece aos leitores: «Em 1995, passados cinquenta anos do fim da Segunda Guerra Mundial, conheci a protagonista desta história.»
«No seu caminho para a morte, a minha mãe lançou-me para a vida.»
March 31, 2016
Τουλάχιστον θα μπορούσαν στο εξώφυλλο να βάλουν το άστρο του Δαυίδ αντί για πεντάλφα. -_-
July 6, 2021
On her way to death, my mother threw me to life.
Innocenti and stories about the war make beautiful, unforgettable art.
Innocenti and stories about the war make beautiful, unforgettable art.
February 24, 2020
As with many picture books about the Holocaust, this one is better saved for older children because of its very difficult themes. In this book, the author first describes how she came to meet the woman whose story this is 50 years after the war ended, on a street in Germany. The text then transitions to the woman's own words. Though she was only an infant at the time, she had been told what happened to her, and her recollection is really an imagining of how things must have been in the very earliest part of her life. Born to Jewish parents, she was thrown from the window of a train heading to a concentration camp, out onto a small patch of grass where someone picked her up and took her to a woman who lovingly raised her. The text and details are sparse, but the illustrations truly make the book. Scenes set in modern day are done in rich color, while those from the past are done in mostly sepia tones, other than the pink bundle thrown from the train.
September 1, 2011
This simple but powerful book tells the story of a Jewish woman who survived the holocaust by being thrown from a cattle car bound for a concentration camp as an infant, and was rescued and brought up by a village woman. "On her way to death, my mother threw me to life". The illustrations are amazing too. This book brought me to tears.
March 23, 2020
Weet niet zo goed wat ik van de illustraties vind, maar het verhaal is aangrijpend.
February 4, 2023
Um livro merecedor de ser lido. Curto mas preciso, que ninguém se esqueça do holocausto, para nunca mais se repetir!
April 29, 2024
Beautiful illustrations. Grim story. A story with hope in the background.
March 2, 2025
What a lovely, short story that hits the reader pretty hard. The desperation of a mother throwing a baby away on the hope that she would be better off is just heart-breaking. The art is simple and clear, but powerful.
August 31, 2024
2.5 rounded down
In her introduction to this attractive picture book, a showcase for Roberto Innocenti’s stunning illustrations, Ruth Vander Zee explains that she met the real Erika in 1995 on a curb in Rothenburg, Germany. A tornado had ripped through the town the previous day, and the women looked on as buildings began to be repaired. They got to talking about the man-made tornado that had swept through Europe over fifty years before. The German-Jewish grandmother, who would become the subject of this picture book, told Vander Zee her story.
Honestly? There is very little to it. Erika’s Jewish mother threw her as an infant from a cattle car which was transporting Jews to an unnamed concentration camp. Someone picked up the pink bundle near the tracks and took the baby to a woman who risked her life to give the child a name, a birthday, a home, clothing, and an education. Readers (understandably) learn nothing of the identity of Erika’s birth parents. Nothing can be known. All we get is Erika’s speculations about them. We also get no information about Erika’s life with her adopted mother, which would certainly have been a matter of interest. Erika does explain that she married at 21 and had three children, who in turn had their own children. Erika’s tree once again has roots.
In the end, apart from Innocenti’s magnificent art, there’s nothing to recommend this book. It is blandly told and entirely lacking in all but the most basic details. The beige-brown font of the text is also off putting. There are so many better books about this subject out there. Not recommended.
In her introduction to this attractive picture book, a showcase for Roberto Innocenti’s stunning illustrations, Ruth Vander Zee explains that she met the real Erika in 1995 on a curb in Rothenburg, Germany. A tornado had ripped through the town the previous day, and the women looked on as buildings began to be repaired. They got to talking about the man-made tornado that had swept through Europe over fifty years before. The German-Jewish grandmother, who would become the subject of this picture book, told Vander Zee her story.
Honestly? There is very little to it. Erika’s Jewish mother threw her as an infant from a cattle car which was transporting Jews to an unnamed concentration camp. Someone picked up the pink bundle near the tracks and took the baby to a woman who risked her life to give the child a name, a birthday, a home, clothing, and an education. Readers (understandably) learn nothing of the identity of Erika’s birth parents. Nothing can be known. All we get is Erika’s speculations about them. We also get no information about Erika’s life with her adopted mother, which would certainly have been a matter of interest. Erika does explain that she married at 21 and had three children, who in turn had their own children. Erika’s tree once again has roots.
In the end, apart from Innocenti’s magnificent art, there’s nothing to recommend this book. It is blandly told and entirely lacking in all but the most basic details. The beige-brown font of the text is also off putting. There are so many better books about this subject out there. Not recommended.
August 12, 2013
Ruth Vander Zee erzählt die Geschichte einer Frau, die sie auf einer Europareise in Rothenburg o. T. getroffen hat oder getroffen haben könnte. Es ist das Schicksal eines Kindes, das als Säugling vor dem Holocaust gerettet und von Fremden aufgezogen werden konnte, weil seine Mutter das Babybündel aus dem fahrenden Zug warf, der sie selbst in ein Konzentrationslager brachte. Das Findelkind, das seine Pflegeeltern - allein durch seine Existenz - in Gefahr brachte, bekam einen Vornamen, es wurde geliebt und umsorgt. Die Frau von heute erinnert sich im letzten Bild des Buches an eine Szene ihrer Kindheit, als sie in einer friedlichen Umgebung selbst den Zügen nachsah. Erikas Geschichte wird mit großem Zeilenabstand erzählt, die ihr Zögern beim Erzählen symbolisieren könnten. Roberto Innocentis photorealistische Illustrationen würden in ihrer Eindringlichkeit ganz ohne Worte auskommen.
Die routinemäßige Verlags-Empfehlung des Buches für Kinder ab 5 Jahre - ungeachtet des Buchinhalts - macht mich hier ziemlich ratlos. Kinder im Vorschulalter fragen von sich aus selten nach dem Holocaust, wenn in der Familie nicht schon darüber gesprochen wurde. Die Situation von Menschen, die nichts über ihre Herkunft wissen, ist dagegen zeitlos und vermutlich in allen Famililen Thema, in denen einer der Vorfahren seine Eltern nicht kennengelernt hat, weil derjenige als Säugling "weggegeben" wurde. Die Holocaust-Thematik empfehle ich Eltern, denen das Thema nicht als Teil der Familiengeschichte vertraut ist, für ihre Kinder erst ab 10 Jahre.
Die routinemäßige Verlags-Empfehlung des Buches für Kinder ab 5 Jahre - ungeachtet des Buchinhalts - macht mich hier ziemlich ratlos. Kinder im Vorschulalter fragen von sich aus selten nach dem Holocaust, wenn in der Familie nicht schon darüber gesprochen wurde. Die Situation von Menschen, die nichts über ihre Herkunft wissen, ist dagegen zeitlos und vermutlich in allen Famililen Thema, in denen einer der Vorfahren seine Eltern nicht kennengelernt hat, weil derjenige als Säugling "weggegeben" wurde. Die Holocaust-Thematik empfehle ich Eltern, denen das Thema nicht als Teil der Familiengeschichte vertraut ist, für ihre Kinder erst ab 10 Jahre.
January 27, 2022
Πολύ απλοποιημένο, οκ μιλάμε για παιδικό βιβλίο πάντα οπότε το καταλαβαίνω. Επίσης μιλάμε για μια ηρωίδα που πραγματικά μπορεί μόνο να φαντάζεται το τι έγινε μέχρι να την βρουν οι άνθρωποι που τελικά την μεγάλωσαν.
Το τέταρτο αστέρι πραγματικά το κερδίζει για την εικονογράφηση που είναι λες και είναι πραγματικές φωτογραφίες ντοκουμέντα της περιόδου και φυσικά σου δινουν την δυνατότητα για πολλή κουβέντα με το παιδί.
Το τέταρτο αστέρι πραγματικά το κερδίζει για την εικονογράφηση που είναι λες και είναι πραγματικές φωτογραφίες ντοκουμέντα της περιόδου και φυσικά σου δινουν την δυνατότητα για πολλή κουβέντα με το παιδί.
June 9, 2015
This very short book tells the story of a baby saved from the train rolling towards a concentration camp, by a desperate Mother who threw the baby out... It was found and raised by a woman with a good heart. The main feature of this book is the magnificent set of illustrations.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 9 June 2015.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 9 June 2015.
January 14, 2019
This simple picture book gave me chills to read. It tells the true story of Erika, a woman whose mother saved her from the horrors of a concentration camp by throwing her (as a baby) out of the train. The language and images are stark and sparse - which works perfectly to tell this tragic, but ultimately hopeful, story.
January 3, 2017
This book caught my eye because Robert Innocenti also wrote Rose Blanche. This is a very quick read, but the true story of a woman whose mother saved her life by throwing her from a train on the way to the camps.
December 23, 2017
Wonderful and chilling (TRUE) story. Gorgeously illustrated, as to be expected from Roberto Innocenti. I just felt it was a bit short and didn't have to be so sparse. Definitely something everyone should take the time to read, though!
December 1, 2018
Este livro editado cá em Portugal pela minha editora de livros infantis favorita(Kalandraka) traz-nos um relato simples, cândido, mas trágico de uma sobrevivente do holocausto.
As ilustrações são literalmente de babar.
Que fabuloso trabalho de Roberto Innocenti!
Fiquei fã!
As ilustrações são literalmente de babar.
Que fabuloso trabalho de Roberto Innocenti!
Fiquei fã!
Read
January 29, 2016Okay for a young children's story. Way over simplified.
December 18, 2020
Hay hechos históricos sobre los que hay que leer y releer para recordar y no olvidar, para enseñar a las presentes y nuevas generaciones los errores que no pueden volverse a cometer, la Historia que no se debe repetir. Y este libro que les comparto hoy es eso, un poema textual y visual que nos refuerza la memoria de uno de los sucesos más vergonzosos del siglo pasado.
La escritora norteamericana Ruth Vander Zee conoció a Erika en Rothenburgo, quien le contó que cuando apenas era una bebé, sus padres judíos -cuando eran transportados en un vagón de tren hacia el campo de exterminio de Auschwitz- decidieron arrojarla por una pequeña ventana, con la esperanza de que se salvara. Y así fue como sobrevivió, gracias a una decisión terrible y a la bondad de la mujer que la encontró y la cuidó.
El relato narrado con frases sencillas y evocadoras viene con interrogantes que Erika se formula y que no tienen respuesta: ¿Dónde nació? ¿Cuál era el nombre que le dieron sus padres biológicos? ¿En qué parte del vagón iban sus padres? ¿Qué le dijeron sus padres cuándo tomaron la decisión? ¿Qué sucedió luego con ellos?
Las ilustraciones de Roberto Innocenti, con su estilo realista, sumerge al lector en el drama de los personajes sin rostro, porque no había identidad personal, solo una estrella o un número, lo que le confiere una dimensión universal a estos hechos... El manejo de la paleta de colores es muy acertado: grises para el pasado, el antes, el drama, el dolor, la guerra; pero con detalles en color que llaman la atención del lector y están cargados de significado. Coloridos para el ahora, el presente, la paz, la vida...
Aunque la historia inicia de manera trágica, termina llena de esperanza y con confianza en el futuro... porque libros como este nos recuerdan que debemos construir puentes, lugares de encuentro y conciliación.
La escritora norteamericana Ruth Vander Zee conoció a Erika en Rothenburgo, quien le contó que cuando apenas era una bebé, sus padres judíos -cuando eran transportados en un vagón de tren hacia el campo de exterminio de Auschwitz- decidieron arrojarla por una pequeña ventana, con la esperanza de que se salvara. Y así fue como sobrevivió, gracias a una decisión terrible y a la bondad de la mujer que la encontró y la cuidó.
El relato narrado con frases sencillas y evocadoras viene con interrogantes que Erika se formula y que no tienen respuesta: ¿Dónde nació? ¿Cuál era el nombre que le dieron sus padres biológicos? ¿En qué parte del vagón iban sus padres? ¿Qué le dijeron sus padres cuándo tomaron la decisión? ¿Qué sucedió luego con ellos?
Las ilustraciones de Roberto Innocenti, con su estilo realista, sumerge al lector en el drama de los personajes sin rostro, porque no había identidad personal, solo una estrella o un número, lo que le confiere una dimensión universal a estos hechos... El manejo de la paleta de colores es muy acertado: grises para el pasado, el antes, el drama, el dolor, la guerra; pero con detalles en color que llaman la atención del lector y están cargados de significado. Coloridos para el ahora, el presente, la paz, la vida...
Aunque la historia inicia de manera trágica, termina llena de esperanza y con confianza en el futuro... porque libros como este nos recuerdan que debemos construir puentes, lugares de encuentro y conciliación.
November 4, 2019
Although a picture book in form and shape, Erika’s Story is not for preschoolers. Innocenti’s famous photographic-style paintings in largely sepia tones (except a pink blanket wrapped baby thrown from a train) intensify the austerity of the tale. One of his previously published books, Rose Blanche (1991), is set in the same era of Nazi domination.
A note at the beginning explains the author’s encounter with Erika. Vander Zee recounts this story of absolute loss through Erika’s questions, and in understated language. Her parents’ hopes for their child’s survival depended on a stranger’s kindness. Risking her life, another woman with strong determination rescued and raised Erika.
The front cover, with a cutout star, alerts readers to the star theme throughout the book, punctuating Erika’s thoughts. And, train cars dominate every painting but one. Faces however, are hidden from view. Rescued twice from death by powerful love and compassion, the infant Erika survived to marry and see the faces of her own grandchildren.
A note at the beginning explains the author’s encounter with Erika. Vander Zee recounts this story of absolute loss through Erika’s questions, and in understated language. Her parents’ hopes for their child’s survival depended on a stranger’s kindness. Risking her life, another woman with strong determination rescued and raised Erika.
The front cover, with a cutout star, alerts readers to the star theme throughout the book, punctuating Erika’s thoughts. And, train cars dominate every painting but one. Faces however, are hidden from view. Rescued twice from death by powerful love and compassion, the infant Erika survived to marry and see the faces of her own grandchildren.
October 18, 2022
Erika's Story (Hardcover) by Ruth Vander Zee, Illustrator- Roberto Innocenti, Hindi language translation by Aravinda Gupta- The book narrates the story of Erika, a German lady told by the author who is a lady travelling in a German city. In this book, the author first describes how she met Erika. This is Second World War story. When the war ended, her parents were being taken by goods train for execution. Her parents threw her from the window on a street near the Railway line in Germany. As an infant she was brought up by the new parents. They narrated her the story of how they found her on the railway tracks. She was born to Jewish parents. She narrates her story to the author. She has a dream to visit the new Jewish State, but she does not have much money to travel. Scenes set in modern day are done in rich color, while those from the past are done in mostly sepia tones, other than the pink bundle thrown from the train. Colour illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.
June 25, 2017
Erika's Story is about a Holocaust survivor, however she knows of very little from that time. Her parents were loaded onto rail cars like cattle. There was talk of death camps, but they weren't certain. As they spent more and more time on the train, Erika says her mother and father must have been brave, because they threw their tiny baby from the train. They threw her to freedom. A woman scooped Erika up and raised her like her own child. She gave her a birth date and a name. Erika married at 21 and had a family of her own. This is all she knows.
A very sad story of a woman who we know barely anything about. However, we know of the courage of a mother and father, which is very powerful. This is a very short biography with descriptive illustrations about a time that I want to read more about.
A very sad story of a woman who we know barely anything about. However, we know of the courage of a mother and father, which is very powerful. This is a very short biography with descriptive illustrations about a time that I want to read more about.
October 29, 2020
This book is a stark, yet beautiful, look at a specific example of the horrors experienced by millions during the atrocities of WWII. Author Ruth Vander Zee met a woman with an extraordinary story as she toured historic sights in Germany and pens her story of a mother's sacrifice and desperate act to save her baby from a Nazi death camp. It is a must have for all libraries and classrooms serving grades 4 and up and with its wonderful symbolism plus powerful word choices and imagery will be a fabulous cross-curricular mentor text for classrooms extending even as far as high school. Roberto Innocenti's illustrations compliment the text perfectly and convey mood clearly with his use of limited details of color amid the darkness making this work a mentor text for the art classroom as well as social studies and ELA. Highly, highly recommended.
August 28, 2018
"Eu nasci em 1944.
Não sei o dia.
Não sei que nome me deram.
Não sei em que cidade nem em que país vim ao mundo.
Nem sequer se tive irmãos.
O que sei é que quando tinha apenas uns meses fui salva do Holocausto."
Uma narrativa, contada em primeira pessoa, que se vai pontuando de questões e de emoções que tocam no - que sentimos - mais profundo da Historia.... E de nós.
As respostas... essas vamo-las duramente antecipando no tom cinza que, tão expressivamente, atravessa as primeiras páginas.
Esta é "A história de Erika", a menina que, no seu caminho para a morte, a mãe lançou para a vida.
A cor vemo-la nós - como no melhor de todas as histórias - quando alguém chega, cuida, é bom para Erika... e, neste conforto, ganhamos a melhor certeza: "A minha estrela ainda brilha"!
Não sei o dia.
Não sei que nome me deram.
Não sei em que cidade nem em que país vim ao mundo.
Nem sequer se tive irmãos.
O que sei é que quando tinha apenas uns meses fui salva do Holocausto."
Uma narrativa, contada em primeira pessoa, que se vai pontuando de questões e de emoções que tocam no - que sentimos - mais profundo da Historia.... E de nós.
As respostas... essas vamo-las duramente antecipando no tom cinza que, tão expressivamente, atravessa as primeiras páginas.
Esta é "A história de Erika", a menina que, no seu caminho para a morte, a mãe lançou para a vida.
A cor vemo-la nós - como no melhor de todas as histórias - quando alguém chega, cuida, é bom para Erika... e, neste conforto, ganhamos a melhor certeza: "A minha estrela ainda brilha"!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2017
Powerful, moving story about surviving the Holocaust. What did a mother and father think as they traveled in the cattle car? What could they do to save their daughter? Simple statements detail the horror and sadness of the event, and the will to survive. The illustrations add to the story with the profound use of sepia tones that are transformed on the last page as the narrator realizes her family tree continues to grow, and her "star still shines."
Highly recommend as a read aloud for any units on WWII or historical fiction.
Highly recommend as a read aloud for any units on WWII or historical fiction.
October 7, 2019
This book is a great read, especially if you were teaching a history or social studies class, and were on a lesson or section about the holocaust and how it affected people of all ages. My favorite part, and the most heartbreaking part would have to be when Erika's mother threw her from the train, so that way she could have a good life, and not have to have an inevitable outcome at such a young age.
November 18, 2019
If I had two words to discuss this book it would be touching and emotional. This book touches a lot on the Holocaust coming from the point of view of a Holocaust survivor. My favorite part was the pictures because they started out in black and white which symbolizes sorrow and grief until the end where the color tones brightened. I think this would be a good book to use on middle school for studying the Holocaust.
March 21, 2018
A heartbreaking illustrated book which tells the true story of a woman who knows nothing about the beginning of her life, except that she was saved from the Holocaust. It is a book filled with sadness and questions, mirrored in the muted colours of the pictures, yet Erika is still a glimmer of hope: her star shines on.
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