A True Story of an Extraordinary
World war II Rescue
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Chronicle Books
pub. 9.2.2025
68 pages
Ages 5 - 8
Author: Elizabeth Brown
Illustrator: Melissa Castrillón
Character: Aristides de Sousa Mendes
Overview:
"'He who saves a single life, saves the world entire.' —The Talmud
Here is the true and powerful story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, who, against his government’s commands, helped refugees flee France to escape the Nazis by granting visas that allowed them entry to Portugal.
In one of the greatest individual acts of rescue in World War II, Mendes saved many thousands of people, including the artist Salvador Dalí; H.A. and Margret Rey, the creators of Curious George; professors of medicine, biology, and physics who would go on to teach in America; and thousands of others whose lives are less known but no less precious. He and his family paid dearly for it, but Aristides never regretted his actions, believing to the very end of his life that every life is worth saving."
Tantalizing taste:
"While Portugal officially took no side in the war, its leaders were not interested in helping the people fleeing the Nazi army. The prime minister had ordered Portugal's diplomats not to give visas to anyone hoping to escape...
Aristedes tossed and turned in his bed. He thought about what it would be like if his family were in the same situation.
How could he live with himself if he didn't help? What if all these children were his own?"
And something more: Elizabeth Brown in the Author's Note explains: "On July 8, 1940, Aristides returned to Portugal. He was arrested, was taken to Lisbon by the secret police, and stood trial. He was stripped of his job and diplomatic title, and he and his children were prevented from working or attending universities in Portugal for the rest of their lives. Aristides also lost his beloved [home] Casa do Passal ... Aristides had to feed his wife and children in soup kitchens and with the assistance of other aid societies led by the Jewish community.
Before he died in 1954, Aristides 'asked his children to clear his name and have the honor of his family restored... After many years, his deeds began to be recognized... in 1966 Israel declared Aristides de Sousa Mendes to be 'Righteous among the Nations.'... the U.S. Congress issued a declaration to honor Aristides' bravery in 1986, and then in 1987 to 1988, the Portuguese president... 'apologized to the Sousa Mendes family and the Portuguese Parliament promoted him posthumously to the rank of Ambassador.'' And in 2017, he was awarded Portugal's highest honor - the Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty.
How Rose Valland Saved Art
from the Nazis
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Beach Lane Books
(Simon Kids)
pub. 9.16.2025
40 pages
Ages 6 - 10
Author and illustrator: Erin McGuire
Character: Rose Valland
Overview:
"Rose Valland loved art. When the Nazis invaded Paris during World War II and took over her beloved museum, Rose could have fled. But who would save the artwork?
So, Rose remained and saw how she was underestimated by the soldiers for being a quiet, unassuming woman. She knew it was the time to act. And Rose had a secret weapon: she could speak German. She listened, kept track of all the stolen art, and saved what she could. Rose became a spy. And in the end, she saved thousands of works of art."
Tantalizing taste:
"She loved that modern art tossed aside rules, traditions,
and expectations - allowing art to run wild and free.
Color. Subject matter. Technique.
Modern art liberated all of these -
and changed the definition of art forever.
Adolf Hitler hated modern art...
His Nazi Party had twisted and hateful ideas about anything
new or different. Whatever they hated, they destroyed."
And something more: Erin McGuire in the Author's Note explains: "I've spent a long time researching Rose against the backdrop of other modern-day cultural shifts. Censorship, book banning, even the destruction of books, all helped me realize that the question is not 'Why does it matter to protect art?' but rather 'Why did it matter to the Nazis to destroy it?' They were not just destroying meaningless paint, canvas and paper, but the ideas themselves. They were trying to tell entire societies that these ideas did not deserve to flourish and persevere."
The Wondrous Tale of Joey Ramone
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Drag City (Chicago)
pub. 9.26.2025
51 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Jay Ruttenberg
Illustrator: Lucinda Schreiber
Character: Joey Ramone
Overview:
"Gabba Gabba We Accept You is a children's picture book that tells the story of how a kid who was bullied and felt like a misfit grew up to become a hero to so many as lead singer of The Ramones.
This story speaks to one of the greatest silent majorities in the world – all the kids who feel a little off. It contains an essential message that the world of punk rock has always meant to communicate. All of us, regardless of our diverse and non-exclusive design, have something that we are meant to have and share, in a place that we can call our own. As children, these things may appear to many of us as problems and shortcomings.
The challenging passages of life that brought Jeffrey Ross Hyman to the place where he became Joey Ramone provide a natural lesson to young folks navigating their way through the complexities of growing up."
Tantalizing taste:
"This was the splendor of Joey Ramone. He was always Jeffrey Hyman - awkward, tall, shy Jeffrey Hyman, who was born sick, who spent years being taunted by bullies, who so often felt out of place and uncomfortable. But Jeff never curved to the world.
Jeff curved the world to him."
And something more: An excerpt from the Kirkus review: "With eloquent wordplay, Ruttenberg gives readers an intimate sense of Joey Ramone’s life and times without ever tipping into fictionalized details or faux dialogue. Even the lack of backmatter (nary a timeline or bibliography in sight) cannot overshadow the frenzied fun on the page.
The bold colors and sheer delight of Schreiber’s art make Ramone an appealingly larger-than-life figure, each page vibrating with music and movement.
Above all, Ruttenberg underscores the inclusive nature of Ramone’s music; the titular lyrics (from the song “Pinhead”) serve as a rallying cry for outsiders everywhere. Space is left at the end for kids to write their own songs (librarians beware!)."
