Product Description
Born in Poland in 1878, educator, physician, and legendary child advocate Janusz Korczak believed that simply understanding children is the key to being able to take care of them. It’s a basic premise too often overlooked.

This collection of one hundred quotations and passages from Korczak’s writings provides valuable advice on how to take care of, respect, and love every child.

In an inviting gift-book format, this is a heartfelt and helpful reminder of who we were as children and who we might become as parents. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Wisdom from a Master
The author, a physician, survived Nazi Germany and had love in his heart for all children. His wisdom and insights will make you glad to be a human being, and his humor and wry commentaries will delight you.

Big gifts in small packages! Extraordinary parental advice.
What children really think of us:
Adults are not very clever. They don't even know how to take advantage of the freedom they have. They're so lucky, they can buy anything they like, they're allowed to do anything they want but despite all this they are always angry about something and any little thing is liable to make them shout. -From the book.

This little book will teach you some things about children and how to be a parent! Great book for new parents, but also for parents at any stage. For example, there's a section on adolescence. Really good insight and used in a child's point of view.

I picked this up and thumbed thru it and knew I had to get a closer look at this! Who was this man 'Janusz Korczak' and why had I never heard of him before? How did he know this stuff about kids and what they think and feel and want and need?

The introduction tells you a little bit about Korczak, and in the very back of the book, there is a 'who was this man' section. Very interesting. Makes me want to find more of his writings. The book is full of words of wisdom about children, growing and learning, and what they see from us.

Great little book for yourself or to give as a gift. I cannot think of anyone who would not benefit from reading this little treasure! You know someone who you admire as a parent? Great!-& give 'em this too!

Practical Parenting
Dr Korzcak writes from the perspective of the child. His writing is
profound yet simple and easy to understand. His teaching reminds me
of the innocence of children. As an adult I forget what it was like
to be a child but Dr Korzcak reminds me of that fragile age. When I
am reminded of that fragile age I empathize and become on the same level as the child, thus more patient, compassionate and understanding, and hopefully a kinder and wiser parent.

The best book on parenting. Period.
Without cant, without presumption, without institutional or ideological nonsense that prevents adults even from seeing children, this book is a treasure. Give it to every expectant parent, and you will give them an invaluable gift to the child they will raise. ... Read more

Product Description
Janusz Korczak was an author, radio personality, teacher, and doctor. But above all else he was a hero. As the beloved director of a Jewish orphanage in Warsaw, Poland, during the years of the Nazi Party's rise to power, he cared for hundreds of children. They loved him as a father and affectionately called him their "Old Doctor."Korczak could not save his children, but even in the darkest days of the Warsaw ghetto, he strove to protect them. Fianlly, forced to lead his orphans from the ghetto to the Treblinka death camp, Korczak remained with them to the end. This moving account of Janusz Korczak's life provides a powerful introduction to the tragedies of the Holocaust, but also highlights a remarkable story of courage in its midst. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Book for Children About a Great Man Who Loved Them
From the time of his early boyhood in Warsaw, Poland, to his untimely death at the hands of the Nazis in 1942, Janusz Korczak cared for and loved children, especially those who others shunned.And the children all loved him.This beautifully illustrated book, tenderly tells the life story of the "Old Doctor" and how he ran his orphanages, both the original Children's Home he established on Krochmalna Street in 1912 and the one he was forced to set up when he and all his charges were forced into the Warsaw Ghetto after the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939.What makes this book particularly suitable for young readers is how David Adler portrays both Korczak's tenderness and courage.It's a sad but life-affirming story of a man all children should know about, a man who loved children, devoted his life to them, and refused to leave them in the end.Young children need a hero like Dr. Korczak.

A Real Hero
Many heroes arose during the holocaust but many are not remembered as well as they should be. This was a great story about courage and duty. It is a true story and Janusz Korczak was a true hero and should be thought of as much as Ann Frank or others from that time period.
The illustrations are excellent as well.
I highly recommend this. It tackles the subject with the sensativity that young children require yet introduces the subject to them and as it is an important part of history and culture, it is a good way to do it. The children can learn there was evil in the world but courage was also there. They will focus on the bravery and heroics while learning a tidbit about that time period.

A Great Man Whose Strenghth Showed in a Time of Crisis
This is a phenomenal book! Janusz Korczak, a writer, physician, and the ultimate child advocate, was also a great soul; indeed, if he had been born a Catholic he would be made a saint. He was a mixture of Dr. Benjamin Spock, Florence Nightingale, Patch Adams, and Mahatma Gandhi--rolled into one!

Choosing to stay with the orphans in the Jewish orphanage he directed, he protected the children through their forced move into the Warsaw Ghetto, and then to the death camp Treblinka. His diary is quoted throughout and we see a man who was very much afraid but who conquered his fears so that he could serve the tiny humanity in the person of the children in his care. Indeed, at one point he could have saved his own life if he had abandoned the children, but he refused to do so. The book ends with a quote from his diary which gives us true insight into his character: "I never wish anyone ill. I cannot. I don't know how it is done."

His life should have been one of happiness and fulfillment, of just deserved rewards for his goodness to others; however, like so many others, the Nazis terminated this great man far too soon. The illustrations are marvelous! They are rather like well done photographs.
... Read more

Product Description
Janusz Korczak (1879–1942) is one of the legendary figures to emerge from the Holocaust. A successful pediatrician and well-known author in his native Warsaw, he gave up a brilliant medical career to devote himself to the care of orphans. Like so many other Jews, Korczak was sent into the Warsaw Ghetto after the Nazi occupation of Poland.He immediately set up an orphanage for more than two hundred children. Many of his admirers, Jewish and gentile, offered to rescue him from the ghetto, but Korczak refused to leave his small charges. When the Nazis ordered the children to board a train that was to carry them to the Treblinka death camp, Korczak went with them, despite the Nazis’ offer of special treatment. His selfless behavior in caring for these children’s lives and deaths has made him beloved throughout the world; he has been honored by UNESCO and commemorated on postage stamps in both Poland and Israel. Korczak’s grimly inspiring ghetto diary is now available in paperback for the first time, accompanied by a new introduction by Betty Jean Lifton, the author of the biography of Korczak. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Attempting to Live a Normal Life in the German-Established Warsaw Ghetto
Owing to the fact that Korczak cared for children, it is not surprising that much of his diary is devoted to this subject. He mentions such challenges as child-care tips, discipline, and attempting to heal sick children. He also noted the pains of ageing that he experienced.

Korczak makes many interesting comments on various subjects. He often discusses what kind of God he believes in. He also writes: "The world knows nothing of many great Poles." (p. 86). Also: "Nietzsche was also of Polish origin--Nitzki, you know." (p. 28). Korczak mentions Jewish virtues such as talent and hard work (p. 179), but also comments: "The Jews are conceited and that is why they are despised. I believe this will change, perhaps soon." (p. 182).

Unlike other diarists, Korczak devotes little direct attention to German Nazi actions in the Warsaw Ghetto. The consequences, however, are obvious: "The body of a dead boy lies in the sidewalk. Nearby, three boys are playing horses and drivers. At one point, they notice the body, move a few steps to the side, and go on playing." (p. 121). Korczak, an obvious intellectual, invites others to discussions in his flat about such topics as Napoleon, Leonardo da Vinci, freedom, destiny and free will, etc. (p. 155). These Jewish behaviors shed light on comparable Polish ones. Holocaust materials have commonly featured the Poles engaged in normal activities (riding a carousel, attending Easter Mass, etc.) while the ghetto was burning--all insinuating the cold indifference of Poles to Jewish suffering. They were no such thing. We see that both Poles and Jews simply attempted to live lives as close to normal as possible in the face of all the horrors surrounding them.

Korczak was offered to be saved by his Polish friends (p. 39), who had already made forged identification papers for him. He refused, and went to the gas chambers of Treblinka with the children in his care.

Love for the Children
I am a great admirer of Janusz Korczak not because of his wonderful books, but because he was firm to his beliefs until the end. He had principles and he was not ready to give up, and he paid with his life for it.

Korczak was the director of a big orphanage in Warsaw and he was very well know throughout the world for his writings in education. As the Holocaust started and life got very hard on the ghetto, Korczak worked even harder to keep on with cultural activities and day-to-day life. He was offered to escape to US, as most famous Jewish, but he believed that his children were his life and that he would rather die with them than live in a world that exterminates children cold-bloodedly. BUT, as William Blake puts it: "He who respects the Infant's faith triumph's over Hell & Death."

This book is very interesting; it provides many of the memories that Korczak wrote in the difficult days of the Second World War. It shows how desperating reality was, and how Korczak gave his soul into his fight to keep his children safe and healthy; a sad historical document with pictures of this noble man and the orphanage that made him so proud.

I have his whole collection; unfortunately for English speakers, I have found around 15 books in Hebrew while in English I found just 5. I warmly recommend this book, together with two other books that are found at Amazon: 'King Matt the First' and 'When I am little again' (see my reviews about them).

The indispensable first-hand account of Korczak's last days.
Janusz Korczak was a radical educator and early advocate of the rights of children. He was a Polish Jew (Korczak was a gentile pseudonym for Henryk Goldschmidt) and pediatrician whose work was well-known in Europe before WWII. Though little translated in English, his exceptionally original and poetic style and ideas puts him in the same league as Pestalozzi, Dewey and Montessori. In prewar Warsaw he organized two outstanding institutions: orphanages which were run as self-governing children's republics. But Korczak is legendary not for his life of intense work and ideas, but for his death. When The Warsaw Ghetto was liquidated, he prepared his 200 children to defy death in a unique way. Eye-witness accounts testify to the shattering spectacle of 200 cheerful, orderly children marching in foursomes through the hell of the Ghetto singing. They entered the trains singing, and they died at Treblinka. Every teacher and Korczak himself died with them. Korczak was twice of! fered by the Nazis to survive, once at the trains, once in Treblinka itself -- to be sent to Germany and educate German youth. But he refused. The Ghetto Diary is the only English translation of Korczak's own account of the last year in the Ghetto. It is invaluable. Those of us interested in children, in education and in Remembrance, should put this book into Samizdat, copying it and sharing it. It is the duty of the publisher to keep such a document available.This edition has a superb introduction by a former student of Korczak's. It is written as a novella, but perhaps comes as close to capturing the state of Korczak's mind in those days as anything could. It is quite surrealistic -- as is Korczak's own work. It combines in tribute to Korczak, Korczak's own unique synthesis of imagination, dream and the harshest, most unsparingly observed reality. ... Read more

Product Description
These two works belong to that group of books written by one of this century's fiercest and most devoted child advocates. In the first, Korczak uses fiction to reveal the joys and sorrows of a child, a ten-year-old, juxtaposing them against the feelings of an adult as they both react to two days of adventure spent together. Two prominent themes in his writing are the exploration of the place of children in an adult world and the examination of the treatment and regard children are accorded in that world. In his second book, Korczak spells out his "Magna Charta Libertatis" in defense of the child's right to respect, right to be him or herself, and, most importantly, right to respect for the strenuous effort expended in the process of "growing up." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Back into paradise?
Well, not really. Though we sometimes wish to return to childhood and have all its privileges, we forget about the difficulties children have to confront in their day-to-day life. And they are as stressing to children as our problems are to us.

Korczak is a man who understood and loved children till his death (for more information about his life, read my review on Ghetto Diary). In this book he alerts adults to children's lack of power when confronting the world. How to deal with day-to-day fears, novelties, anxieties, and oppressing teachers?

The book reminds me of a famous quote by Pablo Picasso: "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." It is our responsibility to let children grow up in a healthy creative environment, and this can be done only by respecting and understanding children's feelings. This is what this book teaches us. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Inspirational Read
I found out about Janusz Korczak while reading the book "The Zookeeper's Wife."I was intrigued by him since he devoted his life to teaching and working with children.I absolutely loved this book.He lived an inspiring life and I feel that I am a better person just for learning about him.One of the reviewers complained that the book went into too much detail.I loved every minute of my reading and was grateful for all of the details.I came away feeling that I had known him as a real person.I loved that the author included details to show us a real man with his faults and follies and not just a saint.There are certain people that I am looking forward to meeting in heaven.Janusz Korczak is one of them.

Dr Lifton's masterpice deserves to be widely read
I am a long time admirer of Korczak and was impressed by the great effort that Betty Jean Lifton put in to bringing her subject to life for us. Korczak had an immense impact on the lives of children in inter-war Poland and thanks to Dr Lifton's book we can learn more about his ideas and life.
Korczak demanded much of those he worked with and trained and who helped him run his orphanages. He was also a man of much complexity and Lifton captures this well.
Perhaps Korczak's greatest gift was to help adults understand that children do not experience the world like us but are both more in touch with their emotions and more frgaile and easily hurt by the reactions of their elders. Lifton captures this well.

The Best Work on a Titan of Humanitarians
Most people who have heard about Janusz Korczak (Henryk Goldszmit) know him from decriptions of him during his years in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II and how he refused offers of shelter in safer areas because he refused to abandon the orphans in his care.His march, leading the orphan children in serene dignity to the cattle trains waiting to take them to the Nazi death camp of Treblinka, certainly makes for an unforgettable and compelling image.Indeed, but what about Korcaak's life?There is so much more to "Mister Doctor," as his beloved pupils called him, and this book tells the story of his life, philosophy, and dreams.

Betty Jean Lifton has done admirable job of covering Korczak's entire life, from his family background and sad childhood to his journeys while studying medicine to his establishment of the Orphan's Home to his religious beliefs, writings, and stint as radio personality ("The Old Doctor") to his final years in the Warsaw Ghetto, where he continued to manage an orphanage to give the child victims a life of dignity in their terrible last years.

Though there are 33 pages of notes in the end, these in no way detract from the readability of this book.For the most part, they serve as reference points for anyone wishing to research an aspect of Korczak's life further.They also bear testimony to the tremendous amount of hard work Ms. Lifton put into her book; it is obvious that this work was truly a labor of love.

Translations of works into English by and about the great Polish doctor, educator, and social worker Janusz Korczak are very hard to come by.Educators, social workers, policy makers, and parents - in short, anyone who cares for and about children - owe it to themselves and the children in their care to be familiar with his methods and philosophies of raising and educating children.It is a great pity that most of his original writings have not yet been translated into English; this book goes a long way to that end.Betty Jean Lifton has done the English-speaking world a great service in making the life of this true hero accessible.This is not just a book to be read, but one to be considered, reconsidered, and savored.

Somewhat tediuos
Interesting material about a national Polish hero, although too much detail made the book somewhat tedious.

well researched
The book was almost too well researched, giving every minor detail of Korczak's life as well as those of his companions.It was, however, worth learning about a national hero from Poland. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

My Favorite Children's Book
I just read this triumph of a book by Janusz Korczak. Korczak wrote books for adults on how to love and respect children; he also wrote books especially for the young. King Matt, written for children, is so wonderful that I can't put into words how much I cherish it and wish that every child (and adult) would read it! It doesn't idealize children, nor diminish them... but it captures so much of their wonder and beauty and simple desire for play and connection. Many passages triggered all kinds of memories for me of what it felt like to be a child, what I dreamt of, how I wanted to be treated, and what I wished of and for the world. So sweet! Please go out and find this book and read it with an open heart. It's fantastical. :)

good book
school assignment book. lets hope the teachers keep assigning these kind of book , kids should read more. Balancing it out with games and the other foolishness they find themself doing.

Written to be Told
This book was written to be read aloud. Which, if not telling it like the tale it is, can be a bit off-putting at first. The story of this boy-king is an interesting one. I think the ending was the most surprising part of the whole book. The end seems to suggest a sequel, but I don't believe there is one.

King Matt The 1st.LONG LIVE THE KING.Review By Albert
King Matt is a good book it's funny , sad ,action, but most of all it's a great book.In the begining his father is dieing ,and his mother as already died.He has tobe the king.Now that he's king three other countries tried to have a war with him because he's little and he don't know how to fight a war.But he still wins and know he go's to there countries to meet with the other three kings.They are scared of him now.He is little but he has mind of a real king.But that's because he is a real king now.I leave the ending for you to find out how it ends...


King Matt is a Great Book you should buy it or get it from your local Library.

King Matt The 1st.LONG LIVE THE KING.By Albert
King Matt is a good book its funny , sad ,action, but most of all its great.In the begining his father is dieing ,and his mother as already died.He has tobe the king.Now that he's king three other countries tried to have a war with him because he's little and he don't know how to fight a war.But he still wins and know he gos to there countries to meet with the other three kings.They are scared of him now.He is little but he has mind of a real king.But thats because he is a real king now.I leave the ending for you to find out how it ends...


King Matt is a reat book you shouldbuy it or get it from your local Library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Short but Sweet Biography of a Caring, Tender Man
Janusz Korczak was a champion of children, dedicating his life for them and, in the end, comforting them at the death camp Treblinka.Because this is a book geared toward younger readers, it treats Dr. Korczak's final years with sensitivity.Moreover, Ms. Spielman devotes most of the book to Janusz Korczak's boyhood and his running his orphanage at 92 Krochmalna Street in Warsaw, Poland.Throughout the book, the kind Doctor is portrayed as the caring, sensitive man he was and how he served the children nobody else wanted.I am grateful that this lovely little book was written for children, to introduce them to a caring, heroic man who loved them.His story deserves to be told - and read by children and their lucky parents. ... Read more

Product Description
Janusz Korczak brings a humane, compassionate voice to help us honor children as independent beings worthy of utmost respect. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The inspirational views of a great 20th century pedagogue
The editor of this beautiful book, Ms Sandra Joseph, has put together various of Janusz Korczak's texts, from a number of books, such as 'How to Love a Child' and 'The Child's Right to Respect'. Janusz Korczak (1878-1942) was a Polish-Jewish doctor, playwright and pedagogue, who wasdeeply involved with the education of orphans in Warsaw, Poland. He becamefamous for his radical views on the right of the child to be respected andtreated in a humane way. As an 'advocate of the child' he claimed, longbefore the 'official' rights of the child were established by the UN,fundamental rights for children and youngsters. His life, and that of theorphans, ended when in 1942 the Nazis put them on transport to Treblinka.Since the 70s his ideas and views are studied around the world. For anumber of reasons, this book is very welcome. In the first place itcontributes to the reception of Korczak in the English-speaking world. Inthe past years only few works on Korczak were published in English; theLifton biography 'The King of Children' being best known. In the secondplace, this book presents in a nutshell both Korczak's life and generalideas and a generous selection from his texts. Now we have at last a sourcethat can be used when one wants to refer to Korczak in English. In thethird place this little book is published in association with the NationalSociety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in the UnitedKingdom, to which the author donates part of her royalties; so Korczak'sideas are clearly linked to a very topical and pressing problem, that ofthe cruelty to and maltreatment of children. Ms Joseph ends herintroduction by saying the following: 'Korczak deserves to be recognizedand honoured today, not because he was a martyr, not because he was a greatwriter and doctor, not because he cared for the most neglected and poorestof children, not because he made a unique contribution to the world ofeducation -but because he was a man of great humility, who lived and diedsolely because of his deep belief in and love for children. Korczak trulywas 'The Champion of the Child'' (p. xxii-xxiii).I do hope that thislittle book will find its way, especially in the English speakingcountries. Those already familiar with Korczak will find new inspiration;those new to him will find a source of wonder and challenge.

Joop Berdingauthor of a book and some articles about Janusz Korczak; member of theboard of the Dutch Janusz Korczak Association; co-editor of the JanuszKorczak International Newsletter. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Over-priced.
The price I paid for this book was much too expensive. In addition, I had to pay tax. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Monumental Work to a Monument of a Man
Most people who have heard about Janusz Korczak (Henryk Goldszmit) know him from decriptions of him during his years in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II and how he refused offers of shelter in safer areas because he refused to abandon the orphans in his care. His march, leading the orphan children in serene dignity to the cattle trains waiting to take them to the Nazi death camp of Treblinka, certainly makes for an unforgettable and compelling image. Indeed, but what about Korcaak's life? There is so much more to "Mister Doctor," as his beloved pupils called him, and this book tells the story of his life, philosophy, and dreams.

Betty Jean Lifton has done admirable job of covering Korczak's entire life, from his family background and sad childhood to his journeys while studying medicine to his establishment of the Orphan's Home to his religious beliefs, writings, and stint as radio personality ("The Old Doctor") to his final years in the Warsaw Ghetto, where he continued to manage an orphanage to give the child victims a life of dignity in their terrible last years.

Though there are 33 pages of notes in the end, these in no way detract from the readability of this book. For the most part, they serve as reference points for anyone wishing to research an aspect of Korczak's life further. They also bear testimony to the tremendous amount of hard work Ms. Lifton put into her book; it is obvious that this work was truly a labor of love.

Translations of works into English by and about the great Polish doctor, educator, and social worker Janusz Korczak are very hard to come by. Educators, social workers, policy makers, and parents - in short, anyone who cares for and about children - owe it to themselves and the children in their care to be familiar with his methods and philosophies of raising and educating children. It is a great pity that most of his original writings have not yet been translated into English; this book goes a long way to that end. Betty Jean Lifton has done the English-speaking world a great service in making the life of this true hero accessible. This is not just a book to be read, but one to be considered, reconsidered, and savored.

The Best Work on a Titan of Humanitarians
Most people who have heard about Janusz Korczak (Henryk Goldszmit) know him from decriptions of him during his years in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II and how he refused offers of shelter in safer areas because he refused to abandon the orphans in his care. His march, leading the orphan children in serene dignity to the cattle trains waiting to take them to the Nazi death camp of Treblinka, certainly makes for an unforgettable and compelling image. Indeed, but what about Korcaak's life? There is so much more to "Mister Doctor," as his beloved pupils called him, and this book tells the story of his life, philosophy, and dreams.

Betty Jean Lifton has done admirable job of covering Korczak's entire life, from his family background and sad childhood to his journeys while studying medicine to his establishment of the Orphan's Home to his religious beliefs, writings, and stint as radio personality ("The Old Doctor") to his final years in the Warsaw Ghetto, where he continued to manage an orphanage to give the child victims a life of dignity in their terrible last years.

Though there are 33 pages of notes in the end, these in no way detract from the readability of this book. For the most part, they serve as reference points for anyone wishing to research an aspect of Korczak's life further. They also bear testimony to the tremendous amount of hard work Ms. Lifton put into her book; it is obvious that this work was truly a labor of love.

Translations of works into English by and about the great Polish doctor, educator, and social worker Janusz Korczak are very hard to come by. Educators, social workers, policy makers, and parents - in short, anyone who cares for and about children - owe it to themselves and the children in their care to be familiar with his methods and philosophies of raising and educating children. It is a great pity that most of his original writings have not yet been translated into English; this book goes a long way to that end. Betty Jean Lifton has done the English-speaking world a great service in making the life of this true hero accessible. This is not just a book to be read, but one to be considered, reconsidered, and savored.
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

An inspiring and poignant portrait of a remarkable man
Having taught Holocaust history in the past, I'm quite familiar with the story of Janusz Korczak. He was a remarkable man and a strong and vocal advocate of children's rights. In this simple yet well-written picture book, children will be able to get to know Korczak, who spent a great part of his life advocating for the rights of downtrodden children. Though his real name was Henryk Goldszmit, he was better known as Janusz Korczak, which was his pen name. Since he was a young child, Korczak had a deep sense of compassion for orphaned children, street children, and any child that was without food, shelter, or care.

As Korczak grew older, his dreams of providing a better life for less privileged children was reinforced, especially when his own family became impoverished as a result of his father's death and Korczak had to become the main breadwinner. As he grew up, Korczak studied medicine, and went on to publish articles and books about caring and educating children. He eagerly accepted the position of director of an orphanage for Jewish children. The ideas that Korczak implemented in his orphanage were ahead of his time - care and love were emphasized, older children acted as mentors to younger children, and a democratic system was put into place in the orphanage.

Unfortunately, historical events put an end to Korczak's well-run orphanage. When the Nazis conquered Poland in 1939, things turned ugly for the Jews, and when the Jews were ordered to move into the Warsaw Ghetto, Korczak (who was Jewish) and his orphans were also compelled to move. The book portrays the resilience displayed by Korczak in those dark days - he continued to provide unwavering love and care for his beloved orphans, and tried his best to see to their needs, though starvation was rampant in the ghetto. Finally, in 1942, the dreaded Nazi order for deportation came - Korczak's orphans were asked to report for deportation to Treblinka, a notorious extermination center. Though he could have saved himself with the help of willing friends beyond the ghetto walls, Korczak refused and went along with his orphans to their doom. Korczak is an inspiration to child advocates everywhere - in life and in death, he continues to be a beacon of hope and inspiration to those who like Korczak, believe in the rights of a child to a decent quality of life.

The writing in this book is simple enough that young children should be able to follow it somewhat though I would recommend this for children ages 8 and up if only because the subject matter is rather heavy-going for a young child to comprehend. When I read this to my kindergartener, she was able to understand some parts, but the part about the ghettos and the transportation of the children was beyond her comprehension, and I found it hard to simplify it for her, choosing instead to focus on Korczak's love and care for his orphans.

For those who are interested in Korczak's life and work, here are some additional titles for further reading:
Ghetto Diary
A Voice for the Child: The Inspirational Words of Janusz Korczak
King Matt the First
When I Am Little Again andThe Child's Right to Respect

The Champion of Children
In death as in life, the story of Dr. Janusz Korczak, the Jewish-Polish physician and Warsaw orphanage director continues to captivate people around the world. When I was in Poland recently, it was clear that Korczak, the pen name of Henryk Goldszmit, had become the hero Jew of the nation. His story of love and devotion for all children was widely known and widely honored, as it should be. In this beautiful picture book, Tomek Bogacki puts a human touch on Korczak's life through the use of sensitive text and evocative acrylic paintings. From early childhood, Korczak dreamt of a society in which children would be treated with dignity and respect. As an adult, his pedagogical writings and children's books built his reputation. In his orphanage, children were allowed to govern themselves democratically, in effect creating a caring family environment. Even when the Nazis forced the removal of the orphanage into the enclosed walls of the Warsaw Ghetto, Korczak tried, with great hardship, to maintain that level of living. He declined offers to save himself and boarded the train to Treblinka with his children. "Though he couldn't save his orphans from the horror of the Holocaust, his insistence that children have the right to be loved, educated, and protected has continued to inspire people all over the world." For ages 8 - 12. Norm Finkelstein

beautiful, inspiring and poignant picture book

This book is a must read for everyone. It is a beautiful, inspiring, and very poignant story about a Polish Jew who from his youth knew that he wanted to help children less fortunate than him. He became a doctor, and later established an orphanage for Jewish children that honored them as responsible citizens. He set up a system of governance that enabled the children to create the rules for behavior, and administer punishment if needed; although, he taught the children that forgiveness was "the most important rule" and that making mistakes was often a positive way to learn not to make the mistakes again. He created a weekly newspaper to which both staff and children contributed, and supported a mentoring program whereby new children were more easily assimilated. He dedicated his whole life to improving the circumstances of orphaned children, finding time always to play with them, entertain them, and teach them. He wrote a book for children called "King Matt the First" that is still in print. His orphanage was so admired that he was asked to set up another one for Polish children.When Hitler took power, the Jewish children were moved to the Warsaw Ghetto, and two years later, they were killed along with Janusz in the Treblinka Extermination Camp. This is a man who is not widely known but is worthy of standing alongside other great people like Gandhi, and Martin Luther King. The powerful and sometimes haunting acrylic illustrations enhance the text perfectly. Back matter includes: a historical note, an author's note, and an acknowledgement of sources.

This is a stunning portrait of a man who influenced the way people viewed the rights of children ...
Janusz Korczak was born into family of privilege, but he was always sensitive to the needs of other children.His father unknowingly introduced him to the lowest of the low, the poorest of the poor and he could easily see for himself how difficult their lives must be.Even as a young boy he wanted to help them and "If he were [a] king. . .he would create a better world for these children, a world where no one suffered."When Warsaw was annexed to Russia, his own life became miserable.Children were forced to speak Russian in school and because children had no rights they could be "severely punished, even beaten, for the slightest misstep."Children in those days had rough lives.

When Janusz was eleven, his father died and he had to assume more responsibility in his family.He also was determined to help the lesser privileged children in Old Town Warsaw.As an adult he was a physician who worked in the hospital for Jewish children by day and helped the poor children by night for free.It was not long before he became the director of an orphanage for Jewish children.At 92 Krochmalna Street the orphaned children were allowed to "govern themselves."Most importantly he "taught them that making a mistake was sometimes the best way to learn not to make it again."Wartime had come and they were all thrown into the Warsaw Ghetto.More and more children came under his care.They were asked to go to the train station. . .

If this book doesn't bring tears to your eyes not much will.This story was heartwarming and heartbreaking all rolled into one.This short biography about Janusz Korczak was very well written, so much so that by the end I almost felt like I knew him.His personality simply flowed from these pages.The beautiful watercolors somehow had a childlike aura about them and were very touching.In the back of the book there is a small map accompanied by a historical note and a note from the author briefly discussing his inspiration and sources.The end pages, illustrated in watercolor, depict Warsaw, Poland before and after World War II.This is a stunning portrait of a man who influenced the way people viewed the rights of children.

A Beautiful Tribute to a Wonderful Man
For several months, I have been eagerly awaiting this book about my hero, Janusz Korczak; the colorful thumbnail picture and the projected release date were teasers all summer long.The book was released on schedule and I immediately bought a copy.Well, both the wait and the purchase have been most worthwhile.

So, another book on Korczak for children?I already have several fine volumes, including those of Spielman, Adler, and Bernheim, along with a rare imprint from Israel.First, with so little about this great man published in English, anything of quality is welcome.Second, Korczak was a true champion of children, so children's books about the Old Doctor are particularly welcome.Of the three picture books on Korczak currently available, this one is my favorite.

Janusz Korczak was the pen name of Henryk Goldzmit, a sensitive boy born in Warsaw in 1878.A loner and a dreamer, from the time he was about 11 he empathized with the children in the street, most of whom were much poorer than he.When his father died, the young Korczak had to take on tutoring jobs to support his family; even then, he offered lessons for free to pupils who could not afford the fee.He went on to study pediatric medicine, but gave up a lucrative practice to found an orphanage.He incorporated his ideas, all of which were based on the respect for the child, who he considered a person here an not, not a person of tomorrow.With the Nazi invasion of Poland in the Second World War, Korczak and his staff were forced to relocate to the infamous Warsaw Ghetto.On several occasions, he was offered false papers to escape to the Aryan side.However, he refused each time, continuing to provide comfort for the many orphans in the city.Several writers have discribed his somber procession of nearly 200 orphans to the trains that would take him and his charges to Treblinka, never to be seen again.

Books and plays on Korczak fall into two categories: telling his entire life or focusing on his role in caring for children in the Ghetto.This book falls into the former category, providing the reader with an important context for Korczak's heroic deeds without making him appear a victim.Tomek Bogacki, himself born in Poland, tells of Janusz Korczak's life with great sensitivity, without sentimentality; his beautiful acrylic illustrations complement the text effectively, especially in his use of bright colors to illustrate the happy moments and dark, somber colors for the sad parts of the story.The text may be a little difficult to read for younger readers, but the book is suitable for read-aloud even for little ones - even in the darkest moments, there is hope.Which is exactly how Janusz Korczak, champion of the children, wanted it. ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the Polish doctor, author, founder of orphanages, and promoter of children's rights, whose life, though swept away in the Nazi holocaust, was dedicated to his love for children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Biography of a Giant - For Young People
Contained within the space of 150 pages is a remarkably comprehensive, yet very readable biography on Janusz Korczak, a man who championed the cause of children his entire life.That such a biography has been made accessible to younger readers does this great man definite justice.

Janusz Korczak was born Henryk Goldszmit in 1878, in Warsaw, Poland.A shy, introspective boy, Henryk took a strong interest in children less fortunate than himself.When his father died, he wanted to become a doctor so he could support his mother.He supported his studies by tutoring children, in addition to offering free services to poor children.These experiences led him to devote himself to serving all abandoned children and founded his famous orphanage on Krochmalna Street in Warsaw.His Children's Home was a model of respect and democracy.When the Nazis invaded and occupied Warsaw at the beginning of World War II, he was forced to relocate to the infamous Ghetto.Though he was offered many opportunities to escape to safety, he steadfastly refused to abandon his children.On August 6, 1942, his orphanage was liquidated; with quiet, defiant dignity, he led his children to the cattle trains that would take them to Treblinka, never to be seen or heard from again.

Mr. Bernheim tells a compelling story, including all aspects of Dr. Korczak's life, drawing on a selection of writings, including his diary.The story is told with great clarity, making Janusz Korczak's ideas accessible to all readers.A foreword by Katherine Paterson provides a touching introduction to this wonderful book. ... Read more