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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Proudly Show the Courage of Your Convictions!, December 31, 2000
Children's books normally focus on events far removed from real life. While that is fine and appropriate for stimulating imagination, children should also be given a chance to connect to situations closer to reality to stimulate character. This book does a marvelous job of commenting on the Holocaust from the perspective of some things that a non-Jewish person could have done. As such, it makes a wonderful bridge to understanding how we all must be our brothers' keepers. The story here is built around the widely reported, but undocumented, history of King Christian X of Denmark during World War II. Here are the basics of the story as described in the book. The Nazis occupied the country in 1940. The King showed his courage in many ways on behalf of all Danes. He rode down the streets each morning without a guard or any weapons. When the Nazis put their flag on the palace, he ordered it taken down and it came down. The Nazi commander said that he would put another one up. The King said that he would order it taken down, as well. When the Nazi commander then threatened to kill the next person to do this, the King said that the commander should be prepared to kill him because he, the King, would be performing this task. Then, the order came down that all Jews must wear a yellow star (reflective of the Star of David) on their clothing at all times. The King rode out the next morning wearing a yellow star, and many citizens followed his example. The story concludes with posing the question about what would happen if everyone stood up against injustice. Very nice! In the Author's note, Ms. Deedy shares the historically documented facts: (1) The King did ride unescorted daily in the streets. (2) There were stories throughout Europe in 1943 that the King had shown support for Danish Jews and had threatened to wear a yellow star. (3) No Danish Jews were forced to wear the yellow star. (4) Denmark was the only Nazi-occupied country where the overwhelming majority of Jews survived. (5) 7,000 Jews were smuggled successfully from Denmark to neighboring Sweden. (6) Over 500 Jews were deported to Theresienstadt. All but 51 survived, in part because of continuing intervention by the Danish government. This historical note is helpful for opening the door for a child to learn more about the Holocaust and the important role that non-Jews could play at that time . . . when they stood up to be counted by taking helpful actions. Some people did this openly with defiance while others helped clandestinely. At a time when some want to argue that the Holocaust never happened, it is important to open bridges back into the lessons of these awful events -- to help prevent their recurrence and to honor the victims and heroes of those days. The book is also greatly enhanced by the illustrations which remind one of Norman Rockwell's work, except with a Danish feeling. The colors are chosen to emphasize the moral conflict between the Nazis and the Danes, and give an emotional tension to the story that makes it stronger. To me, whether King Christian X actually wore the star or not is less important than if people draw courage from that story. I know that I have often remembered the story when the time came to make a moral statement publicly. It helped me have the courage to speak and to act. If you are like me, it will help you, too. Please do share this book with the children you love. You can give them a wonderful gift of understanding how important their voice can be . . . in making a better world for us all. When we all act responsibily towards each other, the world is a better and safer place for each of us. Openly show your love of and support for all humanity!
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