I received an ARC of “Violin of Hope” from NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group, and Kar-Ben Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read too many picture books (PB) to keep count. And while most of them are what I’d call “basic” because they were simply designed to either educate children or occupy their time, there are some that are SO much more than that. Written by Ella Schwartz and illustrated by Juliana Oakley, this children’s picture book is one of the best books in the PB category that I’ve read. This PB is one that I’m definitely buying to give to a child.

If you want to teach a child about redemption and hope, then this is the book for you. The story begins with two children, Itzik and Feiga, whom the author named after her own grandparents. The children’s father plays his violin until the day that is confiscated. Years later, someone finds that violin, restores it, and is given to a young boy, aptly named Isaac. After years of practice, Isaac plays the violin in front of concert halls. After years of lying idle and being warped, the violin, once again, brings joy to people.

This book is NOT about either the Holocaust or the war. In fact, these words are never even mentioned in the book. A single sentence encompasses the entirely of the book:

“…Then one day, light poured into the cellar…”

Despite the abuses heaped upon the violin and its owner, both are redeemed and,

“…After so many years of silence, the violin filled the concert hall with the music of hope…”

This is an absolutely beautiful story and one that both adults and children will appreciate. I hope the author and illustrator will receive the numerous rewards that they justly deserve.

What a poignant story about a violin taken from a Jewish family during WWII and thrown into a cellar. Years later, a luthier, who repairs such instruments, found and restored it. It was sold to another Jewish family, where the young son learned to play it, even becoming a concert violinist. This story moved me to tears and brought hope and joy.

I got an ARC for this children's story on #NetGalley! It is so, so beautifully illustrated. The pictures are steeped in emotion - sorrow, hope, joy, despair - and you can FEEL them! This is a great way to softly introduce children to the history of the Holocaust while still showing how so many sad things happened during that time. It is also a great book to talk about music appreciation or perseverance. I learned some new vocabulary while reading this little book, too!

What a touching and important story! While it may move a bit slowly for young readers, it is sure to get kids, families, and classrooms talking about the importance of lasting art that speaks to the collective and individual legacies that keep us human during and after great tragedy.

"Violin of Hope" is a unique story that touches on the Holocaust but concentrates on hope rather than horror.

The tale is told from the view point of a violin that is cherished by a Jewish family until Nazi soldiers confiscate it. It doesn't end up in use by the Nazi's but lays forgotten in dark, damp storage. When it is eventually discovered and lovingly restored, it is purchased by a man buying the violin for his son, once again becoming cherished and eventually creating music that gives hope to many. This touching story voices the violin's point of view referring to the feel of different peoples hands. The story seems to go full circle. The story gives hints that the violin has possibly returned to the same family. A comment by the father buying the violin, the repetition of a name, and the violin's feeling that the boy's hands feel familiar all lead to the observant reader to that conclusion.
Illustrator Juliana Oakley has helped tell this story with her artwork. Although the wartime illustrations are muted and dark, most of the pictures are bright and relate the hopefulness in the story. I especially enjoyed the expressive faces in her illustrations.

The title refers to a program discussed in the back matter. Two luthiers, artisans that create or repair stringed instruments, have dedicated their lives to finding and restoring violins that were owned by Jews before the war. These violins are then donated to an orchestra that tours around the world.

I received a digital review copy from Kar-Ben Publishing. However the opinions expressed are entirely my own. By telling the story of the violin instead of people, it can touch the topic of the holocaust in an age appropriate manner for youngsters who are just starting to learn about that time period. I whole heartedly recommend this book for youngsters interested in music or history and for classrooms and libraries as well.

Not me crying from a children's picture book!! What a beautiful and heartwrenching story following one violins from the hands of a Jewish family during the Holocaust to the hands of a luthier (instrument doctor). And I love that this was inspired by a REAL organization that saves violins that were stolen. Beauty from ashes :) And the illustrations were warm and perfectly fitting for this book.

This historical fiction picture book tells the story of a violin that belongs to a Jewish family, gets stolen by the Nazis during World War II, and is later recovered and restored. The choice to tell the story from the perspective of the violin is unique and interesting, and the book conveys emotions about tragedy and injustice without being too intense and overwhelming for young readers. There is also additional information at the end about an organization that restores violins from the Holocaust for Jewish orchestras to play today.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Violin of Hope follows the story of a family and their love of music. When the violin is stolen by the Nazis and left to rot in a basement, it seems as if hope of new music is gone. When the violin is rescued by a luthier and restored, it is placed in a spot of honor in the shop. The new owner uses the violin to spread Yiddish music throughout the world.
This picture book takes a familiar theme and presents it in a new way. I'll be adding this one to our collection.

Heartwarming book about a violin. Definitely for kids who are hit older as certain topics will need to be explained. But definitely worth a read.

This is a BEAUTIFUL story of family, hope, and love. It is about the life of a violin in a happy home that was captured during the Holocaust and locked away. Based on true events with historical and cultural facts; it gave me chills.
Lovely illustrations, as well.

I just love stories based on true history and true stories of hope. I literally got goosebumps reading this picture book, and don’t think my review would be up to its level. Just amazing.

I read this picture book with my 3yo and 6yo. They paid attention and appreciated the gravity of the soldiers (WWII Nazis) stealing the violin from the Jewish family. The illustrations were pleasant and the underlying real story that inspired the book was the most interesting part for me. I felt like the story rather abruptly ended and it’s hard to tackle such a serious topic in the pages of a children’s book.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher. This is a beautifully illustrated and written story of a violin during the holocaust to present day. It follows the life of a violin in a happy home when suddenly it was taken by soldiers and abandoned in a cellar. Then one day a man came who lovingly repaired the violin back to its glory to be found by a young boy that wants to learn to play. As the boy learns and grows they travel the world bringing the joy of music.

VIOLIN OF HOPE is a very touching children’s story about a violin owned by a young Jewish family prior to the Holocaust, that was stolen, stored, and many decades later, repaired. The story gives a very brief look at that point in history, with some information about Jewish culture, and the importance of violins and their music. It’s a touching book, with wonderful art.

A beautifully illustrated book that focuses on survival and perseverance without going into the horrors of the Nazis and the holocaust. The way the book is done makes what happened pretty clear to those with the background knowledge but can also open up an excellent discussion about survival and hope with younger children.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lerner books for the eARC!

This was a total cover read. I did not know it was a Holocaust story until I opened it. However, that didn’t make it any less of a read. I think it was a beautiful nod to the enduring message of hope and gives a nod in a subtly beautiful way to the past.

Wow - what an incredible story. I love that this is loosely based on a true story, and loved the excerpt in the back about Violins of Hope.
The story is beautiful and rich with culture and history. The drawings capture every emotion.
This is a story I will definitely buy! Thank you!

This was a beautiful story about a violin long forgotten that was gifted new life. It's also a great story to begin talking about how much the Holocaust changed music and musicians during that time period.

Inspired by true historical events during WWII and a project called 'Violins of Hope', this is the story of a violin stolen from a Jewish family by the Nazis and how it finds itself in the hands of a young boy who learns to play on the mended instrument and brings the sound of hope to those who hear his music.

A beautifully illustrated, captivating, poignant but hopeful story that would make a wonderful addition to your child's book collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This was a beautiful story with charming illustrations. This is certainly one that is entertaining, but will also pull at your heartstrings. This is a must buy for every librarian and also parents of young children. It is a fabulous book.


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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