Tutti's Promise is a poignant nonfiction book about the survival of a jewish family during WWII. Tutti's parents moved to the Netherlands when Hitler began his rise to power. They had lived there for four years when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands and began to murder and deport the Jewish people to camps. Heinz Lichenstein worked in a metals trading company called Oxyde, which relocated to Amsterdam in 1935. Heinz, his wife Margret, daughter Ruth (Tutti), son Robbie and both sets of parents were living peacefully in Amsterdam, never expecting that the Nazis would invade a neutral country. Due to his job, the Lichensteins were allowed to stay in Amsterdam for quite awhile but eventually sent to Westerbork, a transport camp and eventually to Theresienstadt, a transit camp located in the town of Terezín, now part of the Czech Republic. This is the story of the family and who and how they survived.

The story is shared as part of a presentation that Tutti gives to schools. It is a gentler story than some I have read, but it is still shows the harsh realities, the lack of food, the cruelty and the deaths of loved ones. The book is written by Tutti's daughter, Heidi Fishman. I don't think I have read many stories from the eyes of a child and it was interesting to read her thoughts. This is a story of courage, perseverance, determination and hope, it’s also a story that illustrates how resourceful humans can be when their lives are on the line. It also showed that there were a number of good people willing to help and if it hadn't been for some of them, the Lichensteins never would have survived. In the author's notes, she talks about why Tutti still did these talks, and it was so they would never forget, that this would never happen again. I sure hope that is the case.

"Tutti's Promise" by K. Heidi Fishman was an uplifting story of a dark time in history. A true story of a family that survived the holocaust, with much love, support and luck. Great book. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the copy for review. All opinions are my own.

I am so glad more first hand accounts are coming out in recent years. Not to in anyway dismiss Anne Franks diary, but I think other perspectives are important. This book was just as remarkable and just as heart-stopping. There just aren't enough words to express the horror of history. These survivor tales are so important, they need to be told to everyone.

A moving story told from the dual perspective of a child and of genuine historical evidence.

The first-person narrative of a child sheltered as much as possible from the barbarity of occupation and imprisonment is very poignant, paticularly as the reader understands so much more of the situation with the benefit of historical hindsight.

I read this memoir a while ago, but had overlooked leaving a review.

I do read many books, whether fiction or non fiction, based around the Holocaust. A subject that I have always been interested in since school days when I read 'The Diary of Anne Frank'. Though targeted at younger readers, it was nonetheless interesting, but heartbreaking.

In the 1930's, Hitler has risen to power and the Jews are on the brink of losing the life they knew. Happy times spent with family and friends are disappearing. The Lichtensterns are leaving Germany and moving to Amsterdam. It is initially a good move for them but Hitler has invaded Amsterdam. They go into hiding but it doesn't last. Why? What will happen to them?

This is a nonfiction book of the holocaust seemed throu Tutti's eyes. She doesn't always understand why things were changing. She is too smart for her parents explanations. It is an eye opening story to see how they survive daily. Fortunately they have surprises, helpful friends that help them survive. This is a tale to be read by everyone regardless of age.

Based on a family story, this book offers a valuable contribution to the history of the Shoah in Europe, particularly The Netherlands. It can be used in middle schools classes for teaching about Shoah, but it is generally a recommended read to anyone that want to know more about the tragic episodes of the fate of the world Jewry. This story of the Lichtenstern family of coping with the terrible trials of fate is one of the many examples of resilience and courage, creativity and refuse to give up to hate during the WWII. It also offers information about the daily life in the Theresienstadt concentration camp through the innocent eyes of Tutti, a little girl who grew up assuming adults' responsibilities from a very early age. A must-read for anyone interested in this historical period of time.

Tutti's Promise is a wonderful book for familiarizing children with the actual experience of internment in concentration camps during the Holocaust. This book would be a great companion piece for the classic Anne Frank's Diary, providing us with the personal experience of Tutti Lichtenstern, a little girl who lived through the Holocaust imprisoned at first Westerbork and then at Theresienstadt. Tutti, or Ruth, who not only survived but now lectures on the Holocaust in schools, was truly one of the lucky ones, since so few Jewish people who were sent to camps managed to survive until the end of the war. Millions died, only a few thousands survived, the Lichtensterns among them. Tutti, her brother, parents and paternal grandparents are amazingly lucky. Their poignant story of their struggle to survive, and of their family that was lost along the way, is driven home with visuals, with language info, all in a fashion that is accessible for younger teens.

This book is beautifully put together. Most of all, it is so very timely. It should be read in schools, children's book clubs, and dare I say, by adults?

‘I hope you learned something from my story. It’s a story of hope and perseverance. It’s a story of courage and compassion and luck. Most of all, it’s a story that reminds us that we must never forget what prejudice and hatred can lead to if we don’t confront them together.’ – Tutti Lichtenstern Fishman

Tutti’s Promise is an account of Tutti (Ruth) and her family’s experience of being Jewish in the Netherlands during WWII. Having already left Germany for Amsterdam when Tutti and her younger brother, Robbie, were young, they suddenly found themselves further targeted by Hitler and the Nazis for their faith when Germany invaded the Netherlands in May 1940. As most people know, some six million Jews (alongside many other people the Nazis deemed ‘inferior’) were murdered during the Holocaust, and this is something that can never be forgotten. Tutti’s Promise delivers a heart-breaking story of the terrible circumstances Jewish people found themselves in during the war, and feels even more important given what’s happening in the world right now.

K. Heidi Fishman recounts her mother’s story, documenting the fear and heartbreak the family lived through, alongside the immense courage and will they had during the darkest times – the small ways in which Tutti’s father, Heinz, tried to sabotage the Nazis may not have had any effect, but it was so incredibly brave for him to try and do something, anything, whilst imprisoned at Westerbork (a detention and transit camp). I found myself moving between fear, hope, and terrible sadness as I read what happened to Tutti’s family and it will always baffle me how people could believe that there was something inherently wrong with a group of people because of their religion, race, or sexuality.

The writing is simple and easy to read, and at first I thought it wouldn’t be as emotional a reading experience because of this, but I was wrong. Even though the prose is simple and to the point, the actual events make it an extremely harrowing and emotional story to read. Tutti and her family experience extreme hardships and a wild array of emotions, and I don’t think I will ever be able to read a memoir or story from WWII and not be moved; everything regarding the war and Holocaust is incredibly emotive in some way and this is no exception, especially as Tutti and Robbie were so young when they experienced it all. The accessibility of the writing makes this an excellent resource for younger readers who are beginning to learn about the Holocaust, as it is very informative without being overly wordy – the use of historical pictures and documents also add another dimension of realness, and I found them fascinating.

I’ve felt this way about pretty much every book about WWII and the Holocaust that I’ve ever read: this is such an important story to tell that I can barely articulate it. These stories need to be told, need to be understood, and need to be taken seriously so that they never happen again. Most people seem to understand this and even when the world seems a terrifying place (recent events especially) I’m always reminded of something Fred Rodgers said, ‘when I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”’. Even with all the hardship and hate, there will always be people helping, speaking out against wrongdoing, and telling their stories – just like Tutti – in the hopes that one day they won’t need and that the world will realise we are all human, and we all matter.

Although this book may be targeted toward a younger reading audience, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's considered a novel, but the author used numerous family photographs and documents to tell her mother's family's story during World War II. The family was extremely lucky to survive the war with their nuclear family intact, especially considering it included two small children. The ingenuity of the family was remarkable. Holocaust survivor stories become more precious and cherished as each day passes since their numbers are so sparse.

This book details a period of history through the personal experience and memories of the authors mother, who was a Jewish child in Holland in the 1930/40s. It is moving, memorable and thought provoking and is a reminder of a period of history that should never be forgotten.

Tutti's Promise is an amazing story of a young girl and her family as they fight to survive the Holocaust. It is written from the point of view of the child. This is what captured me. I have read many books on the Holocaust survival and they have all be brilliant bringing out stories of strength, endurance and survival beyond human belief. I found Tutti's Promise to be all this, and more, as a child's account of her parent's courage and strength unveiled.

Amonst all the trials, Tutti's father is able to buy her a doll of which he places all the money they have into the head chamber. Tutti is then given the doll for her birthday. Along with the doll comes the promise and challenge of never letting the doll from her protection, no matter what the circumstance. I was touched by this. As lists are placed on walls with the names of prisoners destined for the gas chambers, the last thing one would want would be their child screaming over a doll. But, this was the family's future survival source. As a mother I thought of what I would have my children do. One then quickly realizes the hope of the father and mother, and the strength of a daughter no matter how young.

The father amazed me in this novel. He never gave up trying every resource available to him as he endeavoured to keep his family in the right places. He managed to just scrape through many events. The family also struggled to keep extended family together, but never stopped in the effort to bring each family member back together. It was a story that showed unbelievable family strength and connection.

For any middle grader, this book is a brilliant piece of history that will far exceed many history texts in the education of Holocaust survival. The writing from a childs perspective, gives strength to the story. The photos at the end show the family, Tutti, and her doll, all bring a sense of life to the book. I would like to see this book used as a piece of educational history by teachers presenting the topic which remains a bit of history that continues to be told and shock every generation. This is a piece of history that needs to be learnt from so it never surfaces again, to any degree, in the future.

I loved that I was able to see this experience from both Tutti's and her parents' perspective. This story will inspire you and help you to remember to forgive those who have done you wrong. I would love to meet Tutti and tell her how much I loved her story.

Touching, heartbreaking, remarkable. This is one of the top must reads if you are interested in this time in History.

A truly inspiring story of a brave family during the Holocaust. I have no doubts that Tutti`s Promise will be as thought provoking as Anne Frank's diary. An essential read for all older children learning about WW 2.

This is just going to be my preference. I got this book because I am always interested in WOII stories. However I feel with this book it just works better in my native language, Dutch. It was just too jarring to see random Dutch words and places in the story. Plus my head was a bit confused about it all, like, this is all about my country, and Germany, but it is in English... whut? :P Sorry, most of the WOII stories I read are in Dutch. I was hoping I would be able to read this one, but in the end it just didn't work for me in English.

So it is a good book, and I definitely would love to read it, but I will be hoping and waiting for the book to be translated in Dutch and then read it. I am sure someday it will get published here in Dutch, especially since it is an important story, and does take place in my country, and if that day happens I will read it, and then update my review if I still am on Netgalley.

What a wonderful and actually uplifting story of family courage despite the tough and extremely sad time in history covered. Not the best written piece but though provoking. Would recommend for teens plus.

Tutti's Promise
by K. Heidi Fishman
Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles










Children's Fiction

Pub Date 01 Apr 2017
Archive Date 30 Mar 2017


I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Tutti's Promise through the publisher and Netgalley:

This is a novel based on a true story. Ruth Lichtenstern Fishman was born on July.17.1935 in Cologne Germany, just two yeaes prior to her birth Hitler had come into power.
In the Summer of 1940 her favorite Uncle Robert takes her on a lunch date to break the news to her that he willbe moving to England. As the war goes on, it is becoming more and more dangerous for Jews in Germany and bordering countries.
Jews by the thousands were being forced into Ghetto's. By the stary of the School year in 1941 more restrictions have been placed on the Jews Jewish Children are only allowed to attend Jewish Schools, they arent allowed to go the same stores, to the theatres or parks. That year all Jews over six are also forced to wear Yellow Stars that are sewn onto their clothing.
A Curfew is also placed on All Jews from Eight o Clock at night until Six in the morning.
In the Fall of 1943 Tutti's family is forced to move once more. Tutti is forced to leave all her toys behind except one doll. When they are all callef to report tothe police headquarters they are forced to go into hiding, in order to save themselves and their Children.
They soon go to live in the upper floors,the syorage rooms of a friend's house, wherethey must never wear shoes, so no one hears them. But jusr three weeks later after being given passports they thought would help them they are taken to one of the "work camps".
On July.17.194t despite being in the Work Camp Tutyi's Father is able to take time to surprise Tutti with a doll.
Tutti's Promise is not only a srptory of the horrors of the Holocaust, but of survival as well. Tutti and her lityle family survived sa dly many did not.
I give Tutti's Promise five out of five stars.
Happy Reading.