A note from Helen Stein Behr on why she wrote
a children’s book about The Holocaust

I met Renee (Renata) at one of the Weils’ extended family Seders. When the Haggadah (the recited text for the Seder) came to the part when the Jewish slaves escaped across the Red Sea, Renee began relating to me her odyssey crossing the border to Switzerland. When she mentioned her age of nine and that she’d also been responsible for her five-year-old sister, I felt that this story should be told.

After I got to know Renee better, I asked if she would be interested in my writing a novel about her experiences growing up during the Holocaust. She was enthusiastic about the idea, and I suggested that I tape her memories.

In addition, I researched the years of 1930 to 1945 at several Holocaust libraries, as well as the history of German life before that time. I fell in love with Ruth and Gustel Haberer as well as with the brave Renata. I hope you fall in love with them as well.

- Helen Stein Behr