Sunday, September 4, 2011

Lily Renée, Escape Artist by Trina Robbins

We all know how Jews were treated by the Nazis, but do your children?  This graphic novel is an easy way to teach them about the horrors of war and discrimination.  It's not pleasant, but it's presented nicely and in good taste, as well as being truthful.

Graphic Universe, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group and Net Galley allowed me to download the ebook to do a review (thank you).  This book will be published the first of November, so make a note to check your bookstore then for a copy.

This is a great educational tool done in graphic art form with Anne Timmons and mo oh as illustrators.  Reading the story in this way somehow makes it less threatening, but no less sad.  To see how people can treat each other over no more than religious or racial differences is disheartening.  The worst part is that this story is set back during in the early 40's, the time of WWI.  However, this type of activity is still alive in the world today.  We should learn from our history and move on, but it never seems to happen.

Lily could draw, and draw well.  That was her ticket to keep herself alive after being separated from her parents.  Times were tough, she never had enough to eat, but she survived.  And she became quite a success later in life.

This is non-fiction.  Your children may have questions after they've read the story.  That's a good thing.  Make sure you're prepared for discussion and be sure to offer them some other suggestions for reading.

Use this as a educational opportunity and the whole family will benefit.

Happy reading.


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