Overview

Based on a true story, authors Ann M. Leis and Gail Danziger Klein recount Gail's mother's experiences during a tragic time in history--the Holocaust. Inspired by a family photograph, Ann and Gail tell a story not only of hope, but of the strength and courage it took to overcome immense hardship. Little Renee, a vibrant eight-year-old Jewish girl living in Hungary, takes readers on a journey through history--from her days of dancing and singing with butterflies near her cozy home, to the wake and reign of Adolf Hitler. Renee uses her imagination and love of music while confined to the ghetto, and eventually Auschwitz concentration camp, to distract her from the surrounding atrocities. Music of the Butterfly: A Story of Hope allows children to view life through Renee's eyes--a child living through the Holocaust who remained hopeful of a brighter future. Although life can be unfair, this book teaches children the importance of never losing hope even when faced with bullies and immense obstacles. The colorful illustrations guide readers through the metamorphosis of a butterfly as they are simultaneously led through Renee's challenging yet triumphant journey. Young readers will learn the importance of keeping hope alive, standing up for what is right, and the knowledge that tomorrow can bring a better day.

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9781942945567

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Reviews

Every once in a while one encounters a book that is, simultaneously: deeply moving and critically important. Music of the Butterfly is such a book. [...] The book's co-authors, Leis and Klein and illustrator, Hardwick, working as a team, have put together a thoughtful, nuanced and important work that offers, through simple story-telling, a glimpse into one of the most gruesome periods of history. Many books have been written about the Holocaust but the great importance of Music is that it is one of the few written for children of an age when their minds are still malleable and when the lessons of history can take deep root. [...] I believe Music should be part of the curriculum of every elementary school in the country. [...] In importance it ranks with that of The Diary of Anne Frank because it is written in the voice of a young person to the young, because of its appreciation for this remarkable democracy of ours and because of its message of hope...--Robert Barnard O'Connor, Jr., Ph.D. (08/07/2017) After the publication of the famous poem written by a child in Theresienstadt searching for another butterfly after he had seen the very last one, it has evoked for many an image of the elusive freedom denied to children caught in Hitler's grip during the terrible years of Holocaust. The Holocaust Museum of Houston's Butterfly Project also memorializes children lost in Shoah using butterflies as image of freedom and hope. In this beautifully illustrated and touchingly told story, the butterfly once again appears as a symbol of carefree days filled with color and light in the childhood memory of a survivor named Renee Rosenberg Danziger.--Michal Hoschander Malen, Editor of Children and Young Adult Literature, Jewish Book Council (08/07/2017) This touching story reminds us of the power of hope and the beautiful places our imagination can take us. Students will be able to relate to Renee's journey and fears while learning about the difficult realities of children during the Holocaust.--Sehba Ali, Superintendent, KIPP Houston Public Schools (08/07/2017) Music of the Butterfly tells us that love can conquer hate, that hope can diminish fear, and that resilience can be the difference between success and failure and even life and death. This is a book for all ages - for young readers to begin to learn the lessons of life and for older readers to be reminded of them.--Jeanne Goka-Dubose, Principal, Ann Richard's School for Young Women Leaders (08/07/2017) The Music of the Butterfly: A Story of Hope asks its readers to pay close attention, to think and consider what it was like to be a child of the Holocaust era, to experience the joy of a happy life as a Jewish child, in a warm, loving Hungarian family and then to have your world turned upside down, irrevocably shattered by the Nazis. The experiences of Renee Rosenberg are interwoven with her love of family, appreciation of music and her attentiveness and dreams, as her life was changed by forces beyond her control. The reader learns of the dastardly challenges Renee faced, how she used her inner resolve, and how she survived the war years and went on to live a life filled with love, resilience and music.--Dr. Mary Lee Webeck, Director of Education, Holocaust Museum Houston (08/07/2017) The Music of the Butterfly is an important addition to Holocaust literature for the young, and should be a go-to resource for parents and teachers seeking to make this difficult subject understandable to children.--Fred Zeidman, former Chairman of the Board, U.S. Holocaust Museum, Washington, D.C. (08/07/2017)

The colorful illustrations of Patricia Hardwick guide young readers through the metamorphosis of a butterfly as they are simultaneously led through Renee's challenging yet ultimately triumphant journey through otherwise harrowing experiences. Unreservedly recommended, Music of the Butterfly: A Story of Hope should be a part of every elementary school and community library picturebook collection for children. -- (02/12/2018) This touching story reminds us of the power of hope and the beautiful places our imagination can take us. Students will be able to relate to Renee's journey and fears while learning about the difficult realities of children during the Holocaust. -- (08/07/2017) Every once in a while one encounters a book that is, simultaneously: deeply moving and critically important. Music of the Butterfly is such a book. [...] The book's co-authors, Leis and Klein and illustrator, Hardwick, working as a team, have put together a thoughtful, nuanced and important work that offers, through simple story-telling, a glimpse into one of the most gruesome periods of history. Many books have been written about the Holocaust but the great importance of Music is that it is one of the few written for children of an age when their minds are still malleable and when the lessons of history can take deep root. [...] I believe Music should be part of the curriculum of every elementary school in the country. [...] In importance it ranks with that of The Diary of Anne Frank because it is written in the voice of a young person to the young, because of its appreciation for this remarkable democracy of ours and because of its message of hope... -- (08/07/2017) After the publication of the famous poem written by a child in Theresienstadt searching for another butterfly after he had seen the very last one, it has evoked for many an image of the elusive freedom denied to children caught in Hitler's grip during the terrible years of Holocaust. The Holocaust Museum of Houston's Butterfly Project also memorializes children lost in Shoah using butterflies as image of freedom and hope. In this beautifully illustrated and touchingly told story, the butterfly once again appears as a symbol of carefree days filled with color and light in the childhood memory of a survivor named Renee Rosenberg Danziger. -- (08/07/2017) The Music of the Butterfly: A Story of Hope asks its readers to pay close attention, to think and consider what it was like to be a child of the Holocaust era, to experience the joy of a happy life as a Jewish child, in a warm, loving Hungarian family and then to have your world turned upside down, irrevocably shattered by the Nazis. The experiences of Renee Rosenberg are interwoven with her love of family, appreciation of music and her attentiveness and dreams, as her life was changed by forces beyond her control. The reader learns of the dastardly challenges Renee faced, how she used her inner resolve, and how she survived the war years and went on to live a life filled with love, resilience and music. -- (08/07/2017) The Music of the Butterfly is an important addition to Holocaust literature for the young, and should be a go-to resource for parents and teachers seeking to make this difficult subject understandable to children. --Fred Zeidman, former Chairman of the Board, U.S. Holocaust Museum, Washington, D.C. Music of the Butterfly tells us that love can conquer hate, that hope can diminish fear, and that resilience can be the difference between success and failure and even life and death. This is a book for all ages - for young readers to begin to learn the lessons of life and for older readers to be reminded of them. -- (08/07/2017)

Author Information

Ann M. Leis is a freelance writer and registered nurse. She has served as associate editor and has written many articles for Doll News, an international journal published by the United Federation of Doll Clubs. Ann volunteers for children's charities and is on the advisory board of Holocaust Museum Houston. She is married with three children. Her eldest daughter, Nina, is married to co-author Gail's son, Stephen, which is how Ann and Gail met and became friends. Ann lives in Houston, Texas. Gail Danziger Klein is Renee's oldest daughter. She was a high school French teacher, a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, co-chairwoman of the Jewish Community Center Book Fair, and has served on numerous community boards. A founding member of Holocaust Museum Houston, Gail has held many positions with the organization since 1989 and served as Museum Chairperson in 2015-2016. She is married with two sons. Patricia Hardwick is Ann's sister and Gail's friend. She is a classroom teacher and has enriched the lives of 3rd through 6th-grade students for 34 years. She was honored with the Teacher of the Year Award at Zilker Elementary School in Austin, Texas, in 2006. Patricia has always loved to draw and paint and she has a loyal following for her Christmas card creations. She lives with her husband in Austin, Texas.

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