The Lily Cupboard [Paperback]

Shulamith Levey Oppenheim (Author), Ronald Himler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Miriam, a young Jewish girl, is forced to leave her parents and hide with strangers in the country during the German occupation of Holland.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although this depiction of a young Jewish girl's experience in Nazi-occupied Holland "ultimately does not ring true," said PW, it is "sure to provoke further discussion and may serve to introduce the themes of war and racism." Ages 6-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-- In first-person present-tense narration, a young Dutch girl tells how her parents send her to the country to hide from the Nazis. Her homesickness and fear lessen when the farmer's son gives her a rabbit of her own. When soldiers come, her concern for her pet almost brings discovery, but the farmer successfully hides both child and animal. This moving story is beautifully illustrated with watercolor and gouache paintings in which warm earth tones depict the Dutch family and their home. While the text is simply worded and childlike, the picture-book format and frightening subject matter seem somewhat at odds. Children without prior background on the Holocaust may find the threat from the unseen soldiers hard to understand, despite the opening and closing statements that act as a conceptual prologue and epilogue. Used with similarly formatted World War II stories such as Amy Hest's The Ring and the Window Seat (Scholastic, 1990) or Roberto Innocenti's Rose Blanche (Creative Ed., 1986) in a classroom setting or by parents, this could provide a memorable introduction to the suffering and bravery of individuals during the war. --Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (February 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064433935
• ISBN-13: 978-0064433938
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #766,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Other
  • #52 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Holocaust
  • #99 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Holocaust

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching story that leaves much unsaid, March 12, 2001

By 

Jane James "homeschoolmum" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lily Cupboard (Paperback)

This story is told rather ambiguously... the facts of the girl going to the country to stay with a family, and where she hides when the soldiers come, is simply told. Why she has to go to the country and why she has to hide, are more complex issues. This story does not attempt to explain all the details and reasons why. Because of this, it is appropriate in the opening of dialogue about WWII and the Holocaust with children of all ages.

I could read this story to my 4 year old, or I could have my 9 year old read it. It's not the complete story - but not all children can fully understand or are ready for the complete story.

I felt that the information was handled with dignity, and it wasn't told in a maudlin manner at all. As a teacher and mother, I can recommend this book to any child who is ready to learn a little about this tragic time in our history, even the most sensitive students.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gentle, June 2, 2002

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Lily Cupboard (Paperback)

This story provides a gentle fictional account of a child named Miriam forced to hide in the Dutch countryside during the Holocaust.

The book opens on May 10, 1940, when Holland was invaded by Germany, noting that for the next five years, Jewish citizens of Holland were sent to concentration camps where many died hideous deaths. But that is this story's only mention of what became of the vast majority of Europe's Jews during World War II.

The next page introduces Miriam and her parents, who explained to her that she must hide on a farm until the danger passed. Miriam packed one suitcase including her favorite books. In the countryside filled with tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, Miriam met the boy named Nello with whose family she would live for the next five years. Miriam's parents explained that she would be safe with them because they were not Jewish.

Once during her years with the family, Miriam was forced to hide in a cupboard, which had been pre-determined for those times when German soldiers might come. Outside the door, Nello's parents answered the harsh and mean soldiers in soft, gentle voices.

When the story ends, it's not clear whether Miriam would ever see her parents again. But that's the point of this tale, meant to introduce children to the Holocaust, without frightening them out of their wits.

The key idea here is that some Europeans were good and some Jewish children were safe. Alyssa A. Lappen

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent choice, April 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lily Cupboard (Paperback)

28- page picture book. A little Jewish girl is taken to thecountry and cared for by a gentile family. The father fashions ahiding place for her behind a lily-painted cupboard . She must hid here when the soldiers come to search for her. A fictional account of the brave Dutch people who risked their lives to save the Jews in Holland. A moving story with beautiful illustrations. Excellent for young children.