JELLA LEPMAN AND HER LIBRARY OF DREAMS: The Woman Who Rescued a Generation of Children and Founded the World’s Largest Children’s Library, by Katherine Paterson and Sally Deng, Chronicle Books, Feb. 4, 2025, Hardcover, $21.99 (ages 8-12)
Learn the story of how one woman used children’s books to help heal a generation of Germany’s children after WWII Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams: The Woman Who Rescued a Generation of Children and Founded the World’s Largest Children’s Library, by Katherine Paterson and Sally Deng.
Jella Lepman was a woman who stood her ground, challenged convention, and worked fiercely to transform her biggest dreams into reality.
In 1945, when Jella was tasked with what seemed like an insurmountable challenge―to create a haven of imagination and joy for the children of a Germany scarred by war—she turned to a steadfast companion: books.
As a Jewish woman who had fled from the Nazis, Jella was determined to restore a sense of childhood to the young people who had only known conflict and violence. Despite constant obstacles, Jella persevered, and with the help of publishers and children from around the world, she amassed an extraordinary collection of 4,000 children’s books in pursuit of her mission to promote peace.
The roving literary collection would eventually find a home as the International Youth Library in Munich, now with over 600,000 items, the largest collection of children’s books and materials in the world. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books
Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams is a middle-grade picture book that is inviting and inspiring. This biography tells the story of Jella’s belief that books could not only heal but transform a generation.
Author Katherine Paterson and illustrator Sally Deng transports readers to post-WWII Europe. Paterson’s writing is warm and assured as she tells of Jella’s passion and perseverance. Deng’s pencil and digitally colored illustrations have a classic feel to them. The sense of movement and expressions she captures bring Jella’s story to life.
Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams is a thoughtful nonfiction story that would make a strong addition to any home or school library.
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