Books for Children of the World: The Story of Jella Lepman

By Sydelle Pearl

In 1945, Jella Lepman was asked by the United States Army to serve as a cultural and educational advisor for her native country. While being driven around war-ravaged Germany in a U.S. Army jeep, Jella noticed how hungry the German children were for books since their schools and libraries had been destroyed. Jella wrote letters to publishers all over the world and asked for donations. These donations became an exhibition of children's books that traveled throughout Germany. Seeing how much children wanted a book of their own to touch and to keep, Jella personally translated The Story of Ferdinand, the story about a bull who would rather smell the flowers than fight, into German and persuaded a newspaper to print 30,000 copies so she could distribute them. Jella then asked the Rockefeller Foundation in the United States for money to build a library, and in 1949, the International Youth Library opened in Munich. The research collection today contains 500,000 children's books in more than 130 languages. Books continue to be donated by various countries, forever honoring the spirit of Jella Lepman and her belief that books truly can make the world a better place.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1589804384
• ISBN13: 9781589804388
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.9" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 7 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 4

Customer Reviews

Books for Children of the World: The Story of Jella Lepman

Jella Lepman, a Jewish woman, escaped from Germany to England during WWII. When the war ended, the American Army asked her to return to Germany to help determine what kind of aid would be most helpful to the children. Of course, Jella noticed many needs, including housing, clothing, and food; she also saw the children's yearning for books, and she determined to find a way to fill that need. She sent letters to publishers in 20 countries, asking for donations, and was thrilled when books started to arrive. She also translated "Ferdinand the Bull," a story about a bull who loved flowers and hated to fight, into German, and arranged for inexpensive copies to be printed, so the children could have their own books to keep. In 1949, she founded the International Youth Library in Munich. Author Sydelle Pearl presents a biography of a remarkable woman whose name most Americans probably don't know. Lepman's determination to bring books to children should ensure that she is beloved by librarians and book lovers all over. Lepman's Jewish identity is mentioned only once, in the context of her flight from Germany, and is neither mentioned again, nor seems to inform her quest to bring books to children. Despite the illustrated format, this story is more likely to appeal to older children, who will more readily understand the difficulties and struggles of the protagonist. Danlyn Iantorno's illustrations hint at the troubles in Nazi-controlled Germany, as well as the troubles in Germany after the war. The faces, however, all seem to share the same expression. Nonetheless, this biography will introduce a remarkable woman to all who read it. Ages 8 - 11. Reviewed by Marci Lavine Bloch

Inspiring Story

I've given this book to libraries and friends because it is such a remarkable narrative. The true story weaves pieces of German history together into a delightfully hopeful work. Jella Lepman's experiences are framed for young readers of any religion and nationality. Ms.Pearl keeps the language accessible and yet does not talk down to her readers. Nonetheless, the book is still engaging to parents and other adults. A real sense of one of the ripple effects of war on children is portrayed. It shows that the courage, pragmatism and perseverance of one woman can make a difference.