This is a lovely story and well illustrated. But I don't think it's a children's book. It calls itself a holocaust fable and it will be much too dark for most parents reading to their children.

Could be used as a conversation opener with an older child, but I highly recommend reading it yourself before sharing with a child. ( )

This beautifully illustrated book takes place in Poland while Nazi occupied. The Wren is an old man who loves to play his musical instrument, known as hurdy-gurdy. His apprentice is a young woman called the Sparrow. As history tells us, the Nazis forced Jews to give up everything they owned and loved. Music was a huge part of the Jewish ghettos, it was an escape and a unity for hope. The Wren mournfully surrendered his instrument but first asks to play one last song. The community begins to sing. The Tyrant's guards (Nazis) carelessly throw the instrument. The Sparrow then risks her life to find the Wren's hurdy-gurdy and hides it with a note. Years later, it is found and the Wren's story lives on.
The story has a sophomoric beginning and middle but a strong message in the end. The illustrations are beautiful and tell the story in their own way. Even though the content is high level, I could do a picture walk with primary students. Many children we teach today live in a "ghetto" and have been exposed to horror. This story can make a connection with children today and history. ( )

A poignant Holocaust fable inspired by street performers of the Lodz Ghetto. ( )

An old man, known as the Wren, plays his hurdy-gurdy, and with the help of his student, the Sparrow, brings hope and inspiration to the people of a small Polish town.