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nglofile's review against another edition
5.0
Based on a Czech opera, Brundibar is a delightful story of two small children who try to raise money to buy their ailing mother some milk. Their attempts to sing for coins are thwarted by a tyrannical street musician named Brundibar, but little Aninku and Pepicek accept the help of both animal friends and hundreds of local schoolchildren to show that good can indeed triumph over evil.
It is deeply affecting to realize that this story was performed by the children of Terezin, a Nazi concentration camp, and that the man responsible for setting it to music was also imprisoned there (and later died in Auschwitz). Even though not direct reference is made in the text, the illustrations feature many characters wearing a bright Star of David on their clothes. Details such as this effectively underscore the message of hope in the story, and that alone would make it a worthy choice.
However, there is much more to recommend the tale. The pages are full of illustrations and color without being too busy. Speech bubbles introduce the characters are exposition even before the title page, and these bits of dialogue also alternate of Aninku and Pepicek are drawn with a light touch, almost as if with a textured combination of watercolor and colored pencil. Brundibar, on the other hand, is darker and more solid, even sinister, in how he is painted. The faintness of the children sets them apart from the other elements and even emphasizes how small and helpless they might feel. As a result, it is even more deeply gratifying to see them discover their own strength and resources in resisting Brundibar, an inspiring example to readers of any age or situation.
It is deeply affecting to realize that this story was performed by the children of Terezin, a Nazi concentration camp, and that the man responsible for setting it to music was also imprisoned there (and later died in Auschwitz). Even though not direct reference is made in the text, the illustrations feature many characters wearing a bright Star of David on their clothes. Details such as this effectively underscore the message of hope in the story, and that alone would make it a worthy choice.
However, there is much more to recommend the tale. The pages are full of illustrations and color without being too busy. Speech bubbles introduce the characters are exposition even before the title page, and these bits of dialogue also alternate of Aninku and Pepicek are drawn with a light touch, almost as if with a textured combination of watercolor and colored pencil. Brundibar, on the other hand, is darker and more solid, even sinister, in how he is painted. The faintness of the children sets them apart from the other elements and even emphasizes how small and helpless they might feel. As a result, it is even more deeply gratifying to see them discover their own strength and resources in resisting Brundibar, an inspiring example to readers of any age or situation.
mallorykjorgensen's review against another edition
3.0
Siblings Aninku and Pepick must help their sick mother by going to town to get some milk. Unfortunately the children have no money, so they decide to earn money by singing. This idea is unsuccessful because of a bully named Brundibar. In order to reg rid of Brundibar and earn money from milk, the two children must become allies with some very unusual characters. Only then can they get the milk that they so desperately need. This book, which is based on a Czech opera, is a great story about making unlikely friends in order to work together for a common goal.
calistareads's review against another edition
3.0
This is a story based off an opera, I don’t know the opera being sourced. 2 children find their mother sick and the doctor tells them to run to town and buy milk. They have no money. They are in town and the milkman will not give them milk.
The 2 look around and see an organ grinder and monkey singing and dancing and making all kinds of money. It gives them the idea they can sing for money. The hurdy gurdy is so loud that you can’t hear the children. So, the kids ask for help and many other children come help them as they all sing a song. Everything ends well.
It’s a cute story. Maurice Sendak did the art and it’s pure Maurice. The colors are beautiful and look like they have been colored using crayola’s, which you don’t see often in his work. The setting is a Jewish village.
The children thought this was fun. These 2 kids had to outsmart the organ grinder and my kids love it when the kids are sly and outsmart the adults. So the nephew gave this 4 stars and the niece gave it 3 stars. The niece did ask how milk was going to help the sick mother. Good question I told her. Keep thinking my dear, I said.
The 2 look around and see an organ grinder and monkey singing and dancing and making all kinds of money. It gives them the idea they can sing for money. The hurdy gurdy is so loud that you can’t hear the children. So, the kids ask for help and many other children come help them as they all sing a song. Everything ends well.
It’s a cute story. Maurice Sendak did the art and it’s pure Maurice. The colors are beautiful and look like they have been colored using crayola’s, which you don’t see often in his work. The setting is a Jewish village.
The children thought this was fun. These 2 kids had to outsmart the organ grinder and my kids love it when the kids are sly and outsmart the adults. So the nephew gave this 4 stars and the niece gave it 3 stars. The niece did ask how milk was going to help the sick mother. Good question I told her. Keep thinking my dear, I said.
calistareads's review against another edition
3.0
This is a story based off an opera, I don’t know the opera being sourced. 2 children find their mother sick and the doctor tells them to run to town and buy milk. They have no money. They are in town and the milkman will not give them milk.
The 2 look around and see an organ grinder and monkey singing and dancing and making all kinds of money. It gives them the idea they can sing for money. The hurdy gurdy is so loud that you can’t hear the children. So, the kids ask for help and many other children come help them as they all sing a song. Everything ends well.
It’s a cute story. Maurice Sendak did the art and it’s pure Maurice. The colors are beautiful and look like they have been colored using crayola’s, which you don’t see often in his work. The setting is a Jewish village.
The children thought this was fun. These 2 kids had to outsmart the organ grinder and my kids love it when the kids are sly and outsmart the adults. So the nephew gave this 4 stars and the niece gave it 3 stars. The niece did ask how milk was going to help the sick mother. Good question I told her. Keep thinking my dear, I said.
The 2 look around and see an organ grinder and monkey singing and dancing and making all kinds of money. It gives them the idea they can sing for money. The hurdy gurdy is so loud that you can’t hear the children. So, the kids ask for help and many other children come help them as they all sing a song. Everything ends well.
It’s a cute story. Maurice Sendak did the art and it’s pure Maurice. The colors are beautiful and look like they have been colored using crayola’s, which you don’t see often in his work. The setting is a Jewish village.
The children thought this was fun. These 2 kids had to outsmart the organ grinder and my kids love it when the kids are sly and outsmart the adults. So the nephew gave this 4 stars and the niece gave it 3 stars. The niece did ask how milk was going to help the sick mother. Good question I told her. Keep thinking my dear, I said.
notsarahconnor's review against another edition
4.0
I had never heard of Brundibar before my children’s literature class but I’m so glad I read it! Not only is it a cute story for children but it’s chilling historical significance is what makes the story fascinating.
Brundibar is a very easy read and very short. It’s easy to understand and follow the story and the illustrations are lovely! It’s innocent and everything a children’s story should be, with Aninku and Pepicek the protagonists who defeat the evil Brundibar with the help of all the little children in town with just a touch of darkness to chill your bones.
Onto the historical significance:
Brundibar was originally a children’s opera and it was performed in Terezin a concentration camp created to look like a peaceful town to fool the Red Cross. The Red Cross had heard rumours of the Nazi’s killing Jews and wanted to investigate. The Nazi’s created Terezin, a community of artistic children who performed the play for nearby towns. Brundibar was performed 55 times with an ever changing cast as the children were sent to death. The Red Cross were fooled. Out of the thousands of children sent to Terezin only 100 survived.
For those interested there is a book on the artwork saved from Terezin published in the book I Never Saw Another Butterfly.
Brundibar is a very easy read and very short. It’s easy to understand and follow the story and the illustrations are lovely! It’s innocent and everything a children’s story should be, with Aninku and Pepicek the protagonists who defeat the evil Brundibar with the help of all the little children in town with just a touch of darkness to chill your bones.
Onto the historical significance:
Brundibar was originally a children’s opera and it was performed in Terezin a concentration camp created to look like a peaceful town to fool the Red Cross. The Red Cross had heard rumours of the Nazi’s killing Jews and wanted to investigate. The Nazi’s created Terezin, a community of artistic children who performed the play for nearby towns. Brundibar was performed 55 times with an ever changing cast as the children were sent to death. The Red Cross were fooled. Out of the thousands of children sent to Terezin only 100 survived.
For those interested there is a book on the artwork saved from Terezin published in the book I Never Saw Another Butterfly.
kesterbird's review against another edition
4.0
I knew it was based on an opera, but only on this reading did I realize WHICH opera, which adds a whole lot of dimensions to the story.
gardenjess's review
Based on a 1930's Czech opera, that was performed in concentration camps by children for the Nazis. An interesting read, frightening at times illustrations.
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