BEHIND THE BOOK 'AFTER THE WAR'
“It was heavenly to arrive in that most beautiful part of England, Windermere in the Lake District in the summer of 1945. The local inhabitants were warm and kind; we shall remember them all with great affection..." Mayer Hersh, Holocaust survivor
“It was heavenly to arrive in that most beautiful part of England, Windermere in the Lake District in the summer of 1945. The local inhabitants were warm and kind; we shall remember them all with great affection..." Mayer Hersh, Holocaust survivor
Tom Palmer's incredible book 'After the War' is one I hope will have a real impact on your lives. I hope that when you read it, you will open your hearts to the boys and allow their story to fill you up. From this you will not only have a better understanding of the atrocities these children went through, but you will also discover, for yourselves, the importance of resilience, courage, kindness and hope. I want you to be inspired by these boys, blown away by their bravery and know that as a young person there is nothing you can't overcome...
Tom Palmer's incredible book 'After the War' is one I hope will have a real impact on your lives. I hope that when you read it, you will open your hearts to the boys and allow their story to fill you up. From this you will not only have a better understanding of the atrocities these children went through, but you will also discover, for yourselves, the importance of resilience, courage, kindness and hope. I want you to be inspired by these boys, blown away by their bravery and know that as a young person there is nothing you can't overcome...
It is important to remember, that although the boys in the book are fictitious (which means 'made-up) they are based on the children that this actually happened to. The author (Tom Palmer) has researched this book so thoroughly that he has made sure the story he is telling you is one of truth - this did happen - The Holocaust is a period in history we must never forget.
It is important to remember, that although the boys in the book are fictitious (which means 'made-up) they are based on the children that this actually happened to. The author (Tom Palmer) has researched this book so thoroughly that he has made sure the story he is telling you is one of truth - this did happen - The Holocaust is a period in history we must never forget.
In this video below, Tom Palmer talks about the research he did for 'After the War' and why 'Holocaust Memorial Day' is so important.
In this video below, Tom Palmer talks about the research he did for 'After the War' and why 'Holocaust Memorial Day' is so important.
On BBC iplayer there is a film called 'The Windermere Children' and it is a based on the lives of the actual children who were brought over from Germany and the concentration camps to Lake Windermere. The incredible photo above, shows the actors who play them in the film and the actual Holocaust survivors as they are today. As well as the film, there is also a documentary of BBC iplayer with interviews from the men as they tell their story first hand.
On BBC iplayer there is a film called 'The Windermere Children' and it is a based on the lives of the actual children who were brought over from Germany and the concentration camps to Lake Windermere. The incredible photo above, shows the actors who play them in the film and the actual Holocaust survivors as they are today. As well as the film, there is also a documentary of BBC iplayer with interviews from the men as they tell their story first hand.
Both films are really worth watching, however, please check with an adult before doing so (and you may need a tissue (or 500)...
Both films are really worth watching, however, please check with an adult before doing so (and you may need a tissue (or 500)...
Children of The Holocaust
Children of The Holocaust
Arek Hersh was one of the children who was brought to Lake Windermere at the end of World War II. This short film from the BBC tells his story.
Arek Hersh was one of the children who was brought to Lake Windermere at the end of World War II. This short film from the BBC tells his story.
This film is suitable for Year 7 students. It isn't very long and gives a detailed yet brief overview of what Arek's life was like during the war. It is an animated film, but if you think that you will find it upsetting, you could ask an adult to watch it with you.
This film is suitable for Year 7 students. It isn't very long and gives a detailed yet brief overview of what Arek's life was like during the war. It is an animated film, but if you think that you will find it upsetting, you could ask an adult to watch it with you.
Not all the children were sent to the concentration camps, however, their lives were changed forever by Nazi occupation, and after the war, many children were left with no family or friends...
Not all the children were sent to the concentration camps, however, their lives were changed forever by Nazi occupation, and after the war, many children were left with no family or friends...
Ruth Rogoff was a German Jew during World War II
Ruth Rogoff was a German Jew during World War II
Martin Kapel was a Polish Jew during World War II
Martin Kapel was a Polish Jew during World War II
Trude Silman was born into a Jewish family in Czechoslovakia during World War II
Trude Silman was born into a Jewish family in Czechoslovakia during World War II
Heinz Skyte was a German Jew during World War II
Heinz Skyte was a German Jew during World War II
More interviews from survivors of the Holocaust...
More interviews from survivors of the Holocaust...
Arek Hersh has spent a lot of his life teaching young people about the Holocaust. This is really important to him, as he doesn't want the same horrors that he faced in his childhood to be repeated again...
Arek Hersh has spent a lot of his life teaching young people about the Holocaust. This is really important to him, as he doesn't want the same horrors that he faced in his childhood to be repeated again...
Ruth Rogoff says that unfortunately we will make the same mistakes, however, she believes that your generation are much more tolerant so there is hope that humanity is getting better...
Ruth Rogoff says that unfortunately we will make the same mistakes, however, she believes that your generation are much more tolerant so there is hope that humanity is getting better...
Martin Kapel compares the barbarities that happened in Germany to the way people acted in the Middle Ages. He thinks the study of history is so important to ensure that things like the Holocaust are not repeated...
Martin Kapel compares the barbarities that happened in Germany to the way people acted in the Middle Ages. He thinks the study of history is so important to ensure that things like the Holocaust are not repeated...
Suzanne Ripton believes that it is important to keep recognising 'Holocaust Memorial Day' forever. We also need to be reminded of other atrocities that have happened or are still happening in places like Rwanda, Syria and Yugoslavia...
Suzanne Ripton believes that it is important to keep recognising 'Holocaust Memorial Day' forever. We also need to be reminded of other atrocities that have happened or are still happening in places like Rwanda, Syria and Yugoslavia...
Trude Silman said that people are not aware of other people's experiences and how it can be hurtful or good. She said that the kindness of strangers helped her to learn how to stand on her own two feet, but she has no religious belief because she thinks that praying has had no effect on how life turns out...
Trude Silman said that people are not aware of other people's experiences and how it can be hurtful or good. She said that the kindness of strangers helped her to learn how to stand on her own two feet, but she has no religious belief because she thinks that praying has had no effect on how life turns out...
Heinz Skyte is concerned that if he had not been a Jewish would he have been a Nazi. He said it was difficult for child of that age (age 12, 13, 14) resist the temptations that the Nazi's offered...
Heinz Skyte is concerned that if he had not been a Jewish would he have been a Nazi. He said it was difficult for child of that age (age 12, 13, 14) resist the temptations that the Nazi's offered...