BOOKS: Book tells story of family in hiding during World War II

• 'I Will Come Back for You'

'I Will Come Back for You' tells the story of a family in hiding during World War II.

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This is an amazing story.

“I Will Come Back For You: A Family in Hiding During World War II” by Marisabina Russo begins with warm simplicity. A young girl listens to her Nonna (grandmother) as she tells the story of the charms on her bracelet: a donkey, a piano, a piglet, a barn, a spinning wheel and a boat.

These become the markers for Nonna’s story.

As a young girl, she lives in Rome, near a park, where there are donkey rides. Each night before bedtime, her Papa fills the house with music.

But when Italy joins the Germans in World War II, Papa and other Jewish men are forced to move to a small village in the mountains.

The family visits Papa, but Nazi soldiers soon come to take the men to concentration camps.

Papa escapes, so the Nazis threaten to take Mama instead.

Here is where the story turns dangerous and incredible. It involves a cigar-leaf drink, a bicycle escape, a farm high in the mountains and two baskets full of piglets where Nonna and her little brother hide.

As author and illustrator Russo explains, this picture book is based on a true story from her own family’s history. On the end pages are photographs of the real children involved.

Even without the photographs, this is a book that focuses on kids. Many pages have a block of four illustrations, allowing young listeners to follow the story, even without words. In almost every illustration, Nonna and her little brother are featured, along with their expressions of worry and joy.

“I Will Come Back For You” is also enriched by a sprinkling of Italian words. A glossary — placed on the first page — defines these words, as well as terms such as “internment camps” and “Nazis.”

Although the backdrop for the story is heavy, this is first and foremost a story about a loving family, brave children and daring adventure.

Don’t miss it.

“I Will Come Back For You: A Family in Hiding During World War II.” By Marisabina Russo. Schwartz and Wade, 2011. 40 pp.

Tags: world war ii, life, updates, books, history