Here’s the list of media aids we personally used, and they are in the order we had incorporated them to our four children:

Best Friends by Elisabeth Reuter

This is a picture book that tells of the Holocaust through the eyes of two children, who were victims in their own right. It is seen through both their eyes; Judith and her gradual painful isolation, not only from those around but also from the one person she loves the most- Lisa. As for Lisa, she had to deal with a gradual separation from a friend as well as untangle the often confusing messages she received from the adult world around her. It makes the young children feel and think about adult concepts and was for us a springboard to our children asking those important questions.

Hilde and Eli, Children of the Holocaustby David A. Adler

This book is about these two children, Hilde and Eli, who die during the Holocaust. Due to its content it can be difficult for children who have not encountered death, as this ending does have it. We have actually given in contrast to this the following book, Number the Stars

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

This is a fictional story based upon true facts. It speaks of Christian courage and love of the Danish people who thought they could keep the Nazis out, but failed. Still somehow they managed to export most of the Jewish population out of Denmark to safety, right under the noses of the enemy.

This book is also an excellent reference. The author spoke to 13 adults who were Jewish children and hidden by Christians during the Holocaust. It is often painful to read, yet even so it speaks of great courage on one side as well as cruelty of humanity on the other. It makes no allowances to the age of the reader as it elucidates its facts; therefore we often read only the stories that are age appropriate leaving others until the children are older.

Esther the Girl Who Became Queen – Big Idea Productions

Big Idea Productions are also well known as Veggie Tales. Some of these same lessons, such as overcoming fear and gaining courage, are taught at a level more geared towards the younger children. Yet, older children (about teenage years) can often view Schindler’s List, but we do recommend adult supervision during the viewing to help explain scenes, if needed as well as comfort for the harsh realities that are portrayed.

This is a good depiction of the harshness of the war and the Holocaust, as well about a businessman who sought after the opportunities presented by the war, yet slowly became an advocate to help save the Jewish people around him.