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Peter Sis
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Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued Hardcover – Picture Book, January 26, 2021

by Peter Sís (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 299 ratings
Editors' pick Best Books Ages 6-8
See all formats and editions
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A Finalist for the 2022 Jane Addams Children's Book Award

An NPR Best Book of 2021

A New York Times Best Children's Book of 2021

A Washington Post Best Book of 2021

A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2021

A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of 2021

In December 1938, a young Englishman canceled a ski vacation and went instead to Prague to help the hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Nazis who were crowded into the city. Setting up a makeshift headquarters in his hotel room, Nicholas Winton took names and photographs from parents desperate to get their children out of danger. He raised money, found foster families in England, arranged travel and visas, and, when necessary, bribed officials and forged documents. In the frantic spring and summer of 1939, as the Nazi shadow fell over Europe, he organized the transportation of almost 700 children to safety.

Then, when the war began and no more children could be rescued, he put away his records and told no one. It was only fifty years later that a chance discovery and a famous television appearance brought Winton’s actions to light.

Peter Sís weaves Winton’s experiences and the story of one of the children he saved, Vera Gissing. Nicky & Vera is a tale of decency, action, and courage told in luminous, poetic images by an internationally renowned artist.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    7 - 10 years
  2. Print length
    64 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 4
  5. Lexile measure
    620L
  6. Dimensions
    9.4 x 0.5 x 12.3 inches
  7. Publisher
    Norton Young Readers
  8. Publication date
    January 26, 2021
  9. ISBN-10
    1324015748
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1324015741
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year

Finalist for the 2022 Jane Addams Children's Book Award

NPR Best Book of the Year

Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year

Washington Post Best Book of the Year

nicky & vera; picture book; peter sis
nicky & vera; picture book; peter sis

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-5-Sís tells the story of Nicholas Winton (1909-2015), a British citizen who helped send Czech children to England just before World War II officially broke out. In December 1938, Winton canceled a planned ski trip and joined a friend in Prague who was aiding refugees in the Sudetenland. Working from his hotel room, Winton created lists of children, took photographs, and created train schedules. He soon returned to London to work on securing visas and travel arrangements, find families to welcome the children, and handle the paperwork and bureaucracy. Vera, a young Jewish girl who was a citizen of Czechoslovakia, was one of the 669 children who were successfully brought to Great Britain through Winton's efforts. She lost all but one aunt in the war and its aftermath. Many years after World War II, Vera and some of the other children Winton helped save paid tribute to him on a television show called That's Life. Sís's illustrations combine the literal with the symbolic. Using everything from expansive spreads to miniature panels, he captures different elements from the lives of those involved. The text and the artwork demonstrate the power of one courageous individual who was determined to make a difference. VERDICT A great purchase for libraries where Sís's work is enjoyed.-Heidi Grange, Summit Elem. Sch., Smithfield, UTα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

"Captivating.... Sís takes great care, in this Holocaust tale about the horrific consequences of demonizing people who are different, to highlight the things we have in common."
― New York Times Book Review

"This is a story about an unlikely hero, who quietly and modestly saved hundreds of children from the Nazis, and earned the eternal gratitude of those he managed to bring to Britain during the Second World War. It’s a story that deserves to be told, and in Peter Sís he’s found the perfect storyteller and illustrator. I read it with fascination and admiration for a man of great goodness and modesty."
― Philip Pullman

"Peter Sís uses his unique genius to share with us the true story of a quiet hero whose message is especially important for today's world. The book works a kind of alchemy, with images that read like poetry and text that reads like a manifesto on goodness and decency. Together, the words and pictures are a love letter to humanity. Read it as soon as you can."
― Brian Selznick

"An extraordinary life memorably and evocatively presented."
― Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"[A] deeply considered picture book biography."
― Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Sís' latest reminds readers that real heroes are often quiet and unassuming."
― Booklist (starred review)

"Tenderly crafted, visually layered and deeply reverent"
― BookPage (starred review)

"Spectacularly imaginative and will make readers weep."
― Sunday Times

"An exceptional story told with a powerful combination of words and pictures."
― Horn Book Magazine (starred review)

"The text and the artwork demonstrate the power of one courageous individual who was determined to make a difference."
― School Library Journal

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Norton Young Readers (January 26, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 64 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1324015748
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1324015741
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 10 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 620L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 4
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.37 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.4 x 0.5 x 12.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 299 ratings

About the author

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Peter Sis

Peter Sis

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
299 global ratings
Beautiful story
5 Stars
Beautiful story
This book is beautifully illustrated and written. The story about Nicholas Winton is such an important one, that you never hear about. I have not yet taught my 6 year old daughter the depth of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust, but this book gave me a good starting point.
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Top reviews from the United States

Joan L. Jensen
5.0 out of 5 stars Gently written, but not for the over-sensitive child
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
Beautiful book, touching story. This is a story that must be told. The book would be appropriate for my 6-year-old granddaughter. But my 9-year-old granddaughter finds even the first Harry Potter story too scary, so I will wait to share it with her. Each parent must decide when it is appropriate for their children to learn about the Holocaust, and the genocides that are still occuring today. This is a hopeful introduction to these events.
19 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to open discussion on some history.
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
This was a special book for my granddaughter named Vera! I read the story to her, my 2 baby twin granddaughters and my daughter and DIL. They were enthralled!
One person found this helpful
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Sally Darney
5.0 out of 5 stars Very relevant in today's world as well as teaching kids about the holocaust
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
Gift for grandson and his mom who attending college in the Czech Republic and has longstanding interest in history and what to teach her son. She is saving it until he is older.
One person found this helpful
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LS
5.0 out of 5 stars A Gentle Introduction to the Holocaust
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
A beautifully written and illustrated book about a very difficult subject. We read it to our almost 7 year old many times at his insistence. The simple narrative and thought provoking pictures made the true story compelling without frightening a young child. Be ready for many questions, both historical and philosophical!
7 people found this helpful
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Minh N
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is beautifully illustrated and written. The story about Nicholas Winton is such an important one, that you never hear about. I have not yet taught my 6 year old daughter the depth of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust, but this book gave me a good starting point.
Customer image
Minh N
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2021
This book is beautifully illustrated and written. The story about Nicholas Winton is such an important one, that you never hear about. I have not yet taught my 6 year old daughter the depth of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust, but this book gave me a good starting point.
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer image
7 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2021
Verified Purchase
Beautifully written with sensitivity for little children. What a hero. A must have book in every home.
2 people found this helpful
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Rubaducky
5.0 out of 5 stars So moving
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
I never knew about this story. It is inspiring. Easy to read. So touching. Thank you to Peter Sis for this beautiful book.
2 people found this helpful
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StevieGee1945
5.0 out of 5 stars Nicky and Vera
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
Very sensitive rendition for children. Nice art work. Elicits emotional response, as it should.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A True Story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Nicky & Vera - a well illustrated book by Peter Sis. A true story of @SirNicholasWin1 who organised the transportation of 669 children to safety in 1939.
An amazing story with beautifully detailed pictures.
Customer image
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A True Story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2022
Nicky & Vera - a well illustrated book by Peter Sis. A true story of @SirNicholasWin1 who organised the transportation of 669 children to safety in 1939.
An amazing story with beautifully detailed pictures.
Images in this review
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One person found this helpful
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Eve Slatner Krippendorff
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent childrens World War two book.
Reviewed in Germany on May 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
An excellent book on the children's transport for very young children.
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J Hedge
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an important story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
I knew Both Nicky and Vera well. This is a lovely and sensitive book and is greatly appreciated by my Great Grandchildren
2 people found this helpful
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PeterE
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing treatment of what should have been a wonderful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
The author had a wonderful story for the telling. However, the book disappoints as the tale is so thinly told. It is a missed opportunity. I read it once to a bright 8 year old but he was unmoved, as the story simply lacks context and excitement. Nicholas Winton’s story is an heroic one and deserved to be told with more verve.
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