Hans Christian Andersen Medalist and Caldecott Honoree Peter Sís (The Pilot and the Little Prince; The Wall) revisits the occupation of Czechoslovakia, his homeland, in this tender picture book about a 10-year-old girl and the unassuming hero who saved her life--and hundreds more--on the eve of World War II.
Englishman Nicolas Winton visited Prague in December 1938. Recognizing the looming danger to Jews in Czechoslovakia, the resourceful Renaissance man quickly arranged the transport of hundreds of children by train from Prague to England. Little Vera left her family behind to board one of Winton's eight trains, escaping the Nazis for a foster family in London with whom she waited out the war. Humble Nicky "never told anyone about the children." Decades later, and only after his wife unearthed Winton's records and went public, word of Winton's heroic efforts spread and led to the public reunion of Nicky, Vera and other rescued children. Winton saved 669 lives.
With an earth-toned palette and characteristically intricate details, Sís reveals the characters' intersecting stories through alternating spreads, shifting between cool blues and honeyed sepia tones to cue transitions. Pointillistic flourishes and illustrative elements carry through the story; variety in scale and perspective ensure Sís's illustrations remain every bit as captivating as Nicky and Vera's unfolding tales. An author's note reveals Sís's connection to Winton's story as well as additional information on the rescue efforts and real-life Vera.
With quick work and no expectation of thanks, Nicky Winton changed the course of Vera's life. Sís does them both justice with this stunning biography. --Kit Ballenger, youth librarian, Help Your Shelf