This delicately told, beautifully illustrated true story is recommended by the publisher for ages five to nine — but, in reality, it’s suitable and useful for children of all ages. It centers on a special maple tree whose descendants are planted in many locations, including the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City.
During the Holocaust, a group of inmates, some of them children, smuggled a small sapling into their concentration camp and cared for it. It was so important to them that they shared their meager water rations with it. Watching it grow and thrive reminded them that, despite their harsh surroundings, a future was possible. It gave them the strength to endure the camp.
Seeds from this inspirational tree, a symbol of hope and resilience, bloom today all around the world.
Award-winning journalist and freelance writer, Helen Weiss Pincus, has taught memoir writing and creative writing throughout the NY Metro area to senior citizens and high school students. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Record, The Jewish Standard, and other publications. She recently added “Bubby” to her job description.
