Book Review of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

It's time for another book review! I've chosen The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. If you haven't yet read it, I'd highly recommend doing so. If you've seen the movie, I urge you to read the book. There's so much more here than was included in the movie. Well worth the read!

Eleven-year-old Liesel Meminger is a foster child who has recently arrived in a small town outside Munich, Germany during WWII. Liesel has been sent to live with Hans and Rosa Huberman, presumably for the small stipend they’ll receive. Liesel is still suffering from the loss of her little brother and the difficult and somewhat mysterious separation from her mother. She takes an immediate like to Hans, who is kind and thoughtful, but takes much longer to warm up to the abrasive Rosa.

Liesel makes friends with next-door neighbor Rudy and establishes herself as a self-proclaimed book thief. Becoming unlikely friends with the Mayor’s wife Ilsa affords Liesel the opportunity to read the books in the Mayor’s massive library. Along the way, Liesel is witness to the atrocities of war, heartbreaking events, love, loss and other life-changing events.

I saw the movie The Book Thief several years ago and loved it. When I decided it was time to read the book I was absolutely captivated. Although the book is 550 pages long, I read it in just two days – it was THAT good.

The book is different in several ways, ways in which I won’t go into in my review. Suffice it to say that I’m glad I saw the movie first and then read the book. I think I might have been disappointed with the movie version if it had happened in opposite order. This just goes to show how well the author has written this important piece of fictionalized history. The time period, location, mood, characters, etc. come to life as the story unfolds.

I was surprised at some of the other reviews, stating that the book was just plain depressing. I’m not at all sure how a book that deals with the systematic extinction of a race of people can be written about in an uplifting, happy way. Yet, the book is so much more than a story about a German girl who is living in Nazi Germany during WWII. There are many lovely, tender elements to be found in The Book Thief. The additional anniversary edition footnotes written by the author (at the end of the book) provide wonderful insight.

I think it’s extremely important that all generations read books like The Book Thief. This is part of history and, as poet and philosopher George Santayana said, "Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it." This is a book that is emotionally draining, but very much worth the read!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton, DIY Mom Blog

My Mother's Wings by Sally Huss Helps Children Cope With Military Deployment and Separation

With so many children going through the difficult experience of being separated from a parent who is serving in the military, this book certainly is timely. Author Sally Huss has provided a wonderful way to discuss these challenges with children of any age.

© "My Mother's Wings" by Sally Huss

“My Mother’s Wings” addresses the feelings that I’m sure many military families must contend with during deployment. The boy in this book feels sad when his mother must leave, of course, but his mother gives him a beautiful way to cope. She presents him with his very own wings in the form of a pin. He then goes on to help other children who are in the very same position as himself. What a wonderfully positive way to empower a child!

© "My Mother's Wings" by Sally Huss

The illustrations in this book are simple, yet colorful, cute and eye-catching. They’re sure to capture the attention of even the youngest child.

I’d recommend this book to anyone dealing with a military family situation – or any type of parent/child separation for that matter. Highly recommended!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton

"Shoo" by Hana Goldberg Empowers Young Children with a Sweet Story of Finding New Friends to Love

Shoo is a sweet little homeless cat that has no place to go, no real food to eat and no one to love him. Maya is a cute little girl whose family moves and now she’s afraid she won’t make any new friends. Will these two meet and comfort each other?

This is an adorable and relatable children’s book for even the youngest child. The story touches on some feelings that many children experience – apprehension over making friends and bonding with pets.

I loved the colorful illustrations in this book. Shoo is a good story for parents and caregivers to read to preschoolers or for older children to read alone. Highly recommended!


5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton 

Book Review of The Blue Wooden Horse by Orly Assa

I absolutely love children’s books that tell a story that can be used as jumping off points for discussions with children. The Blue Wooden Horse accomplishes this and goes a few steps further. One, it’s poetry and two, it contains several stories in one colorful, engaging book.

This book is filled with imaginative and charming free-form poetry that is sure to delight readers of any age. The poems can all be read in one sitting or one at a time, to be used as topics of conversation with even the smallest children. As examples, the “carousel” and “swing” poems are excellent opportunities to talk with children about feeling safe and comforted whenever they’re out of their comfort zone. The “big, orangey fish” poem would be a good way to broach the sensitive subject of the death of a pet.

The illustrations are superbly colorful and eye-catching, and each one complements each story nicely. As a mother, a grandmother and former early childhood educator, I am very impressed with The Blue Wooden Horse. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for unique books to share with the children in their life.

~ 5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton