Hitler's Canary

Most children who learn about the holocaust, at some point learn about Anne Frank and her diary. Having just finished reading Hitler's Canary by Sandi Toksvig, I feel it would be beneficial to introduce children to this book and let them see another aspect of the Second World War. Toksvig's book is based on her father's reminiscences of growing up in Denmark during the Nazi occupation in WWII. She has, by her own admission, fictionalised the account, but it is based on facts, and is a wonderful portrait of a young boy and his involvement in the Danish resistance. Bamse is about 11 when the Nazis walk into Denmark and take over. They claim that they are protecting the Danes from the British and French. Initially their presence is no more than a nuisance. As time goes by their behaviour becomes more hostile and Bamse and his family become more and more involved with the Danish resistance. The book culminates with the story of how, when the Germans finally decided to round up all the Danish Jews and ship them over to concentration camps, Bamse's family, and hundreds more Danish people, helped to shelter the Jews and aided their escape to safety.What I really liked about this book is that Toksvig has made clear that not all the Germans who occupied Denmark were bad people. Some of them were uncomfortable with their orders and deliberately turned a blind eye to activity they should have reported, just as not all the Danes were heroes of the resistance, and some of them supported the Nazis far more fervently than any German soldier. Toksvig takes great pains to paint an even, fair picture of what went on.This is a beautifully written little book which is utterly absorbing to read and should be much more widely read and known about.

Enjoyed the book and interesting to read about Denmark's experience in WW2. a good one for educating children about those events.

This is a great book, ideal for older children or young teens who want to understand what it was like to live in an occupied country during WW2. It is realistic without being terrifying and is a story of hope.

Brilliant read with engaging characters, adventure and 'big questions' to consider Lots to think about but by no means heavy - in fact a very positive read about the power of community in the face of adversity. Ideal for reading to Y6 for our WW2 topic.

My daughter and I read this some years ago but it was unfortunately left out in a rain storm when we were camping. This was a chance to re-acquaint ourselves with an exciting and touching portrayal of the plight of Jews in wartime Denmark and the courageous evacuation to Sweden just before they were due to be deported to the death camps.My only argument with Sandi was in her afterword in which she said that it would be an exciting story for boys - my girls loved it - really Sandi.

Found this book when trawling thru for novels for my bookworm grand daughter. Didn't know Sandi Toksvig was a children's author and as I like her off beat humour thought I'd take a look. Haven't read the book but the story line is based true life events of how children coped with Nazi occupation during the war. Unsure as to how my grand daughter would react I gave her the book on the understanding that if it the idea of it was upsetting to her she needed read it. Thoughtful and well written if you have a child whose capable of reading this without post trauma let them

Sandi Toksvig never disappoints, but the subtle change in writing style to inform young people of the circumstances surrounding Denmark and their resistance to the ongoing Holocaust is a triumph. I have a Grandson pushing twelve years old and I'll definitely be giving him Hitler's Canary to read over the summer. It's a wonderful story, made all the better for being based on facts, that leaves the reader uplifted. This is not something other books on the same subject can easily achieve. It's strangely impartial and highlights the good and bad on both sides.

A beautifully-written and very moving fact-based account of how ordinary people in Denmark in WWII did some extraordinarily brave things, and rescued almost their entire Jewish population from the Nazi Holocaust. This is ostensibly a book for older children, but I can't imagine that any adult with a proper sense of right and wrong wouldn't be moved by this book.

And one with a reasonably happy ending, not bad for a book about the holocaust... Told from a childs view, it gives a good insight into the feelings of the Danes at the time when Germany occupied their country and "cleansed" it of Jews and other "unwanted" groups. Such a happpening we must not forget, and this is perhaps a good way to help younger generations to understand this awful time. I would say it was very suitable for a young person to read...

Fab book my 11 year old loved this.

I read this book a few years ago and found it hilariously funny with both giggles and belly laughs. Coming from Copenhagen I had no problems imagining the setting and the people. The historical aspect means that it is also a World War II learning experience. Gave it to my 12 year old daughter for Christmas and she loves it too.

Fantastic way to tell the story of whole nations, with its good and bad guys.

DD read for class, well written and well enjoyed

A well told story of a part of World War 2 that was unknown to me and, I suspect, most people outside of Denmark. The unsensational style makes the reading suitable for all ages without talking down or glossing over. Don't confuse Sandi Toksvig's reputation for comedy with her undoubted skill as an author.

Lovely illustrations too