Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Young WWII refugee's story told with warmth and wonder.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT, a 9-year old Jewish girl's world changes overnight during the winter of1932. Sensing the threat behind Hitler's rising power, Anna's father, a famous journalist and critic of fascism, leaves the country to establish a life in exile. The next morning, Anna is told that her father has left for Prague, but is heading to Switzerland. Over the course of a few days, her family has to prepare to leave the Germany to meet him there. Anna is sad to leave her friends and her home in Berlin, but she's excited at the prospect of going on an adventure. With her brother by her side, Anna opens her ears to new languages, goes forward bravely to new schools, makes some friends. Educated, valued members of society are called "dirty Jews" by Nazi sympathizers, and their children are scorned. But to Anna, that doesn't matter so much if her family can be together. Will her family avoid being captured? Will she ever find a place to call home again?
Is It Any Good?
Told by a curious, adventuresome child, this semi-autobiographical story captures the peril and thrill of escape in WWII Europe. In When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, Anna's account of her family's escape is peppered with feelings of confusion, terror, and yes, joy. Her curious nature and her willingness to work hard attract good marks at school and friends in foreign lands. Not many WWII refugee stories can boast such luck, which makes this story unique.
Kids will love the quick-witted Anna, who's both frank about her situation and innocent of the danger she escaped, thanks to her parents' protective humor. But beneath the surface runs a terrifying tension that Anna senses but doesn't delve into -- the world of adults is beyond her -- and her story feels lighter for it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how changes in government are portrayed in When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit . An upcoming election changed everything in Anna's family's life, overnight. What was different in 1932?
Anna and her brother Max spend hours walking in the woods, playing with tops, playing board games. What would you do if you didn't have access to devices?
Anna hears people calling her family "dirty Jews," and saying things like, "Hitler was right" to kick the Jews out of Germany. How do we talk about racism now? How has it changed, or stayed the same?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Puffin
- Publication date : January 1, 1971
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 192
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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