These simple non-fiction children's books are written by middle or high school students for elementary age readers. This book series tell the true stories of survivors promoting tolerance and understanding for the next generation.
IN THE BEGINNING ...
This Holocaust children's book project started as a dream to preserve stories of Quad Cities area Holocaust survivors - specifically three Jewish women -
each named Esther.
The Quad Cities Three Esthers
Esther Avruch Esther Katz Esther Schiff
"I met three women, Esther Avruch, Esther Katz and Esther Schiff and felt compelled to share their stories with the next generation.
Next, I networked with teachers, writing experts and ordinary students asking them to do something extraordinary. I asked the children to write and illustrate the life stories of a Jewish woman who survived the Holocaust.
I wasn't sure what the students would create but the young authors and illustrators went beyond my expectations. They used their gifts and talents and become young storytellers for the next generation. Today we have over a dozen stories documented to teach our children about the survivors, liberators and Righteous Gentiles who lived in our midst.
I invite teachers across the country and around the world (public, private and home schools along with Sunday school classes at churches or synagogues) to encourage young people to share this experience. There are certainly many more stories with great value to tell."
Deb Bowen
Program Director
Photo courtesy of Rock Island Argus