Papa plays beautiful music on the violin, until the night when there is a pounding on the door and a Nazi soldier snatches the violin away. Dumped in a cellar for years, the violin warps and cracks until one day a luthier finds it and determines to fix it. A man buys the violin for his son, remembering that his grandfather played the violin before the war. The boy eventually becoming a violinist, filling concerts halls with the music of hope. Based on the true story of luthiers who repair Holocaust-era violins.

This was beautifully illustrated! It was a powerful story about Jewish culture and the Holocaust and, despite negative circumstance, finding joy and passion in the things you love. Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group | Kar-Ben Publishing ® for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

I remember seeing a television program on Itzhak Perlman, where he was moved to tears playing a restored violin rescued from stolen Holocaust goods. This picture book does a beautiful job of telling the story of one such violin, staying appropriate for children, and introducing readers not only to the violin and a love of music but also the wonderful organization Violins of Hope who play concerts all over the world in remembrance of those violinists lost in the Holocaust.

I had no idea that this was even based on truth it is never to early it teach the history of the holocaust so it isn’t forgotten and hopefully never repeated. It was a beautiful tell of hope in horrible times.

Powerful. A story of family, loss, and hope. Add in redemption and the underlying theme that despite heartbreak and loss, life goes on. While obviously relating a Holocaust experience, the book makes no direct reference to the death and horror of that event, just a subtle nudge, making this an appropriate book for younger readers not quite ready to grasp the full picture of that era.

It's quite effective and poignant in its simplicity. It's a story told for all practical purposes from the viewpoint of a violin that was ripped from its Jewish musician owner's hands and tossed in a dark cellar. We follow its gradual deterioration. Then one day, it is found and restored by loving hands, eventually winding up in the young but talented hands of a child. Although it isn't spelled out, one tends to feel the child in question is the grandchild of the original owner. No, it doesn't spell out what happened to the grandfather but, well, adults will surely know. Children may ask, of course, opening up lines of discussion.

Bottom line, although I admit to delaying my reading of this book for fear it would be too sad, too emotional, it's not. Instead, it's an excellent door into history for young readers. While it doesn't dwell of specifics or the tragedy of the Holocaust, it's a heartfelt, beautiful story, one gently told. I particularly liked learning that it was inspired by the genuine organization that restores old instruments. The author herself is the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, bringing this full circle. The illustrations are simple, not distracting from the basic story, yet help convey the emotions of the various hands the violin passes through, beginning with and ending with loving hands. My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #LernerPublishgGroup - #Kar-BenPublishing for allowing me this early look at the wonderfully done book of hope.

I received a copy of this story #ViolinofHope in exchange for my honest review. A huge thank you for #NetGalley and eArc.
As a 3rd grade teacher I am always looking for ways to properly integrate history into the classroom but history lessons that are age appropriate.
What I loved about this story was that it introduces children to a part of our terrible history. A history that plagued millions of Jewish people and others.
Ella Schwartz’s “Violin’s of Hope” is a story based on truth. It’s about a family who spend time together at night listening to music. The father each night would play songs that were both lively and songs that were sad and the family each night would appreciate the passion behind each of his performances. One night Nazi soldiers came to their house and took any meaningful possession that the family owned. After years of building dust and sitting the Luthiers find the violin and decide to restore it to its former glory. Eventually we come to a full circle moment when we meet the grandson of the dad who decides that he will buy the violin for his own son.
What I loved about this story was its impact. I think it is important that history gets taught. This is a definite must buy for me.

Memories are made by a young family when their Papa plays his violin at night. And on Fridays, he plays before Shabbos dinner. Music filled their home with laughter and closeness. Father patiently showed his son how to hold the bow and encouraged him to keep trying. All that changed one night when soldiers pounded on the door, burst in, and grabbed the violin, tossing it on a heap of gathered items and carted away.
Left in a damp cellar for years, the violin became cracked and warped. Years later a luthier (maker and repairer of stringed instruments), found the abandoned violin in the damp cellar and began restoring it. I love how the book describes the process of bringing the instrument back to life and the steps it took. When completed, the instrument was displayed in the luthier's shop until a father came into the shop looking for a violin for his son.

The luthier encouraged the boy to practice telling him that one day he would play as well as the luthier's grandfather. After years of practice, the boy grew into a man who brought hope to people through his music.

The author included an end note about a father-son luthier team that have made it their mission to find as many confiscated instruments as possible and bring them back to their former glory. They are keeping alive the memory of those who lost their instruments in the war. Their project is called Violins of Hope; check out their website for more information about their program.

I loved the portrayal of music as a connector of people as well as a connector of generations with young and old enjoying music together. The information about Violins of Hope was fascinating and an important project that helps young people better understand history.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Violin of Hope from NetGalley for review. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

While this is a fiction story, it is based on real life events. Many Jews had their art taken from them in the holocaust, and that included their music and their ability to play it. An organization called Violins for Hope uses old violins from the Holocaust, refurbishes them, and put them to use in a special orchestra that helps people remember why the holocaust was such a bad thing. This story was educational and entertaining. It did a great job of fulfilling both roles.

This is a really sad, yet heartwarming story of loss and hope. A Jewish family enjoys their father's violin music, but one night during WWII, the violin, along with many of the family's other possessions, is taken away. Many years later, it will shine as a beacon of hope for the future. The artwork is beautifully done and the story will absolutely tug at your heartstrings (pun intended).

The book, Violin of Hope, is a lovely dance around the Holocaust for young readers and listeners. The story of the violin allows for readers to feel for an inanimate object and get lulled into the life of this special instrument. The story has moments reminiscent of Eve Bunting’s Terrible Things, which makes it all the more powerful as we respectfully educate the youngest readers about the terrible history of the Holocaust. As we follow the story of the violin from joyous Shabbat celebrations, to the rubbish pile, to the future of music, readers will enjoy how the violin is really its own character. This book should be in every public library and every elementary school library.

Great picture book for introducing kids to the Holocaust. Love the illustrations and simple, yet detailed text. The author's note reveals that there are people who restore violins damaged in the war, and there's a whole orchestra performing with these restored Holocaust violins in an ensemble called "Violins of Hope". Real photos included too.

This story was moving and beautiful! I love music and enjoyed reading about the journey of this real violin.

"Violin of Hope" is a great, gentle, introduction to how Jewish people were treated during WWII, for children. It tells the story of injustice in a child friendly and relatable way- I think all children can relate to how unfair it would be to have soldiers take their prized possessions! I think this book could generate many great discussions with children, ranging from history, to injustice, to hope, perseverance, and kindness. The illustrations were a lovely addition to the text. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book for young children and their families.

A short, beautiful picture book about endurance and hope after tragedy. The story centers around a violin that was stolen by Nazi's during the Holocost. Years later, a luthier finds the violin and repairs it for his son, remembering that his grandfather played violin before the war. The boy grows up and learns to play the violin, and is able to travel and play Yiddish music in large concert halls.

I enjoyed the art, but felt that the font was far too small. I hope that it's better in print.

I received a copy for review purposes; all opinions are honest and mine alone.

A gentle way to introduce your children to the terrible history that was meted out on over 6 million Jewish people and countless others.

Violins of Hope is a real organization started by father and son luthiers. They purpose to find and repair stringed instruments that were stolen by the Nazi’s and restore them to pristine, playable condition. In addition, the instruments become used by a traveling orchestra that performs all over the world bringing this story and spreading hope thru music.

Ella Schwartz’s book, VIOLIN OF HOPE, is based on a true story and follows the story of family that lost their violin one evening to angry Nazi soldiers. Artist, Juliana Oakley, did a stellar job conveying a wide range of emotions without creating any images that are scary, IMO. She begins her work using colored pencil and enhances them with digitally, creating lovely, engaging spreads. The story can easily be told by way of the artwork for non-readers.

For sure, this is one of the best historical books I’ve read for children in the last few years. It’s a must have for homeschoolers, family libraries, school libraries, church libraries, (non-denominational), or anyone looking for a thoughtful, thought provoking read📚

Read and reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks

A gentle introduction into the treatment of the Jewish people during the war. I love that there is background information at the end to connect the story to history. Music is something that brings everyone together, so students can make connections to the type of music that is important in their family. A wonderful story about hope.

This story was based on the true story of luthiers who repaired Holocaust-era violins. I absolutely loved this book and found it emotional at times, it’s such a meaningful and thoughtful story meant for children.

It follows a history of violin players who play in hopes of making music a spectacular experience. I loved the idea of repairing these violins that were taken away but are filled with so much history.

This was a beautiful and emotional children’s picture book. I wasn’t expecting it to be as emotional as it was, but I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

🎻 🎶 🎻 🎶 🎻 🎶 🎻 🎶 🎻 🎶 🎻 🎶

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

The writing and illustrations are very nice. The end papers give helpful context for readers who have more questions.

I didn't find the story especially captivating or sparkling, but it is very nice. It would be nice to include it on a unit about musical instruments or Jewish history.

Very gentle style makes it appropriate for all ages.

"Violin of Hope" by Ella Schwartz is a poignant and beautifully crafted children's book that tells the heart-wrenching yet inspiring true story of Holocaust-era violins and the luthiers who restored them. The narrative, centered around a violin silenced by the Nazis and later revived, is both moving and hopeful. The evocative illustrations perfectly complement the story, capturing the sorrow and eventual joy that the violin brings to its new owner. Schwartz’s delicate prose and the vivid artwork together create a touching tribute to resilience, memory, and the enduring power of music. This book is a must-read for young readers and their families.

This book is fiction which mimics real events in history. It is the tale of a beloved violin which was stolen from the family who revered and played it and disrespected by a people who waged war. After the war not everyone came home and some had no possessions at all. But some of the musical instruments were found and in sad shape. These were taken to those who repair violins and other stringed instruments (called luthiers). There they are resurrected and sold to those who appreciate the music they give.
The illustrations by Juliana Oakley (an illustrator from Latvia living in Bahrain) are clear, simple, colorful, and expressive.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, especially to a school, church library, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Lerner Publishing Group | Kar-Ben Publishing ® via NetGalley. Thank you! Pub Date Nov 05, 2024
Violins of Hope is a project of concerts based on a private collection of Violins, violas and cellos all collected since the end of World War 2.
#NeverForget #NeverAgainIsNow #ViolinsofHope

This was a beautiful and sad story about a Jewish family during the holocaust and their violin. The artwork was gorgeous and I found myself tearing up at the end. There were a lot of new words in this book I wasn’t familiar with, such as a luthier and Jewish traditions such as Shabbos dinner. While there are plenty of context clues to help children follow along in the story, I think a little explanation toward the beginning would give children an excellent cultural lesson on Jewish faith and practices. Overall, a poignant story and gorgeous pictures.