#Review and #Giveaway: Liesl's Ocean Rescue by Barbara Krasner/Illustrated by Avi Katz

Summary:

Liesl’s Ocean Rescue by noted children’s author Barbara Krasner, recounts the story of Liesl Joseph, a 10 year old girl aboard the ill-fated MS St. Louis. On May 13, 1939, together with her parents and 937 other Jewish refugees they left Germany on the MS. St Louis attempting to seek temporary asylum in Cuba. 

My review:

It is hard for me to fathom a group of people being persecuted to the point they could be arrested, having to leave their home in fear, or worse killed. It is hard to think that freedom is not necessarily for all.

This is the true story of Liesl and her family who left to avoid being killed, her father already being jailed just after his 56th birthday. Liesl was a help on the USS St. Louis but like the other passengers became stuck out in the ocean for several weeks when Cuba nor the US would allow the ship to port.

It seems they would never be rescued but her father worked hard to find shelter somewhere. The back of the book lets the reader know what Liesl's ultimate fate was. I will of course not reveal this to you because I want you to read the book.

This book is for a bit older child and should be included in any Holocaust studies. A complete bibliography is also given in the back for further reading.

The illustrations are all in black in white drawings and are a nice addition to the story as a whole. 

The only negative I have to say about this book is it does seem to end abruptly. I had hoped to read a continuation and not just a post script in the back.

Overall, I give it four stars. Would you like a copy of your own? See the Rafflecopter below.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. This review is also part of the iRead Book Tour.

Where to find the author:

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Review: GG & Mamela by Belinda Brock, Illustrated by Avi Katz

Summary:
This picture book celebrates the loving relationship between Lily and her great-grandmother (GG) as her life starts to slow and wind down in hospice. GG and Mamela illustrates how strength and comfort can be found through love, family and tradition. This book offers a gentle and open-ended way to start a conversation about death and dying, as well as introduce the concept of hospice care.

My review:
This book became somewhat personal to me as my own parent had to have hospice at the end of his life. Unlike, GG, my Dad had hospice at home.  I cannot say enough about how kind they were!

When someone is dying, it is difficult for adults to deal with and very confusing for children. I loved how this book allowed  Mamela's father to express his sorrow and yet, help Mamela to understand that it was ok too. That even though her GG (Great-Grandma)  is dying, she will always be...her GG!

The book pointed out that the strength in families, the comforts of home, and sometimes repetition is what gets you by. In the case of Mamela and GG, it was the  telling of stories and making GG's secret chicken noodle soup. In fact, the book ends with the recipe for her soup. That made me smile.

The illustrations were done is watercolor and added a realness to the book. Although the book seems to end abruptly, the reader does not need to know the true ending because in truth it is a reality. This story book would certainly help children through the processes of a loved one being in hospice and leave opportunities for questions and discussion

5 stars

Disclosure: I received this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours.

Where to find the author:

Amazon
Goodreads