'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' by Judith Kerr is a heartwarming YA novel based on the author's own experiences fleeing Germany before the rise of Hitler. The story follows Anna and her family as they escape from Berlin and navigate through Switzerland, France, and finally settling in England. The book beautifully captures the journey of a young girl facing financial struggles, anti-Semitism, and the challenges of adapting to new languages and customs while on the run from political persecution.

The narrative, told from the perspective of nine-year-old Anna, provides a poignant insight into the family's journey during the politically tense 1930s in Germany and Europe. While the book portrays a mix of adventure, family warmth, and achievements, it also delves into the darker themes of Nazi influence spreading across Europe and the unsettling realities faced by Jewish refugees during that time.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is appropriately simple for children, presented through the perspective of a young girl to enhance relatability.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows a Jewish family's escape from Germany as Hitler rises to power, focusing on their experiences as refugees in multiple countries.

Setting:

Set in various European locations during the early 1930s, the backdrop reflects the tension of fleeing a politically unstable Germany.

Pacing:

The pacing varies throughout the story, initially quick before becoming slower and more reflective during the family's time in France.

Anna was walking home from school with Elsbeth, a girl in her class. A lot of snow had fallen in Berlin that winter. It did not melt, so the street cleaners had swept it to the edge of the pavement, a...

Genres:

historical fiction

children's literature

autobiographical fiction

Topics:

refugee experience

jewish identity

historical context of nazi germany

family dynamics during crisis

Notes:

The story is based on Judith Kerr's own childhood experiences as a Jewish girl.

Anna, the protagonist, is nine years old and embodies innocence and curiosity.

The family flees Germany shortly before Hitler rises to power in 1933.

They travel through Switzerland, France, and England in search of safety.

Anna's father is a well-known writer whose work is banned under the Nazi regime.

The book focuses on the refugee experience and struggles with identity and belonging.

It highlights the challenges of moving to new countries and learning new languages.

The title refers to Anna's beloved stuffed pink rabbit, representing lost childhood.

The writing style is simple, aimed at younger readers, making it accessible for children.

The story illustrates themes of family, resilience, and hope amid adversity.

From The Publisher:

Now a major motion picture, and based on the author's gripping real-life story, this international bestseller is perfect for Holocaust Remembrance Month.

Anna is not sure who Hitler is, but she sees his face on posters all over Berlin. Then one morning, Anna and her brother awake to find her father gone! Her mother explains that their father has had to leave and soon they will secretly join him. Anna just doesn't understand. Why do their parents keep insisting that Germany is no longer safe for Jews like them?

Because of Hitler, Anna must leave everything behind as her family embarks on a journey that extends over several years and over the borders of many countries.

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About the Author:

Judith Kerr lives in London, England.

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When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

Judith Kerr

Book 1 in the series:Out of the Hitler Time