The Secret of the Village Fool

I am completely into World War II, specifically the Holocaust and all of the people who did GOOD to those being persecuted and killed. There was so much horror and evil, that the stories of good shine all the brighter and give me hope that should anything that evil happen again, that good will rally and win.

This is a children's picture book about a real life "village idiot" and the family he helped to hide and keep safe for a year, putting his own life in danger's way. I really liked that after the story was over, what happened to those in hiding and Anton afterwards was shared, including pictures and reunion.

This is a great book to read to younger ones, to teach that all life is precious and that even in the midst of evil, good will prevail if we work towards it. It also teaches not to condemn those who are different from us, as they have skills and abilities that we can all respect and may even need.

Five stars. I recommend it to all. Never forget and never stop loving and trying to help those around you.

My thanks to NetGalley and Second Story Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

Lovely childrens picture picture, which shows the differene one person can make in the face of wrongdoing. Set apart from his fellow villagers, as he sees the world in a different way, Anton is known as the "Village Idiot". BUt when the unstoppable force of the Nazi regime moves into the area, Anton protects a group of Jewish people by hiding them under his house. He is stalwart in his protection of them. The story is well structured for those children that my have started in an interest of awareness of the Holocaust, but might not just yet be up to reading The Diary of Anne Frank. The illustrations lend a timely historical feel.

What a wonderful, true story! Over the past decade, I have seen many stories come from the WWII era...stories of heroism and bravery. This one is exciting and uplifting. It is on a children's level, but conveys the emotions that the characters felt at different times. Also, there is a "what happened afterward" section in the back, with photos and stories of the real characters. Very touching. The pictures are lovely, too. Well done!

I am always happy to learn of a new book about the Holocaust and what people did to stand up against such evil. This story is amazing and I love the actual pictures with the real people at the end. I can't even amazing what it was like to live like they had to for so long. Thank you Uphohn for sure an incredible story.