Francesco Tirelli's Ice Cream Shop
An inspiring true story of the Holocaust
Francesco Tirelli loved to eat gelato from his uncle’s cart. So when he moves from Italy to Hungary, Francesco decides to open his own ice cream store. There young Peter learns to love ice cream as much as Francesco did. But when the war comes and Francesco closes his shop for the winter, he uses the shop for a special purpose—to hide his Jewish friends and neighbors from danger. This heroic tale is based on true events.
“Francesco Tirelli’s Ice Cream Shop is highly recommended for children but will also be appreciated by adults because of its exceptional artwork and intelligent text. A brief ‘Epilogue’ fills in facts and informs readers of Francesco Tirelli’s recognition by Yad Vashem.”—Jewish Book Council
“A gentle, yet heroic addition to Holocaust literature.”—Kay Weisman, Booklist
“An accessible and memorable account for young readers of one man’s humanity during the Holocaust.”—Kirkus Reviews
“With lighthearted illustrations and a hopeful story, this picture book translated from Hebrew offers an additional perspective on the events of World War II and the Holocaust.”—School Library Journal
“A hopeful tale of kindness, resourcefulness, and comfort in Hanukkah traditions.”—The Horn Book Magazine
| Format | Your Price | Add |
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978-1-5415-3465-0
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$7.49 | |
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978-1-5415-6568-5
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$22.99 | |
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978-1-7284-1196-5
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$34.99 | |
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978-1-5415-9038-0
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$6.99 |
Author: Tamar Meir
Tamar Meir holds degrees in Talmud and Jewish philosophy, and a PhD in literature from Bar-Ilan University. She is head of the Literature Department at the Givat Washington College of Education and teaches at Efrata College and at Bar-Ilan University. This is her first children’s book. It has won both the Yad Vashem Prize and the Devorah Omer Prize for Children’s Literature. Tamar lives in Israel.
Illustrator: Yael Albert
Yael Albert is an illustrator based in Tel-Aviv. She was born and raised in Israel, where she graduated with honors from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.
Reviews
Global ITL
“This moving tale shows how one person’s courage can make all the difference in the world.” — Nanette McGuiness, Global ITL
The Horn Book Magazine
“A hopeful tale of kindness, resourcefulness, and comfort in Hanukkah traditions.”—The Horn Book Magazine
Jewish Book Council
“Francesco Tirelli’s Ice Cream Shop is highly recommended for children but will also be appreciated by adults because of its exceptional artwork and intelligent text. A brief ‘Epilogue’ fills in facts and informs readers of Francesco Tirelli’s recognition by Yad Vashem.”—Jewish Book Council
Publishers Weekly
“An ice cream shop becomes a WWII safe haven in this family story turned picture book. In Italy, Francesco Tirelli (Meir’s father-in-law) stops at his uncle’s ice cream cart every day, even when his mother tells him ‘Enough!’ And he remains devoted to gelateria, eventually opening a successful ice cream shop in Budapest, where he meets a Jewish boy named Peter who shares his affection for the treat. After Nazi forces invade Hungary, Tirelli offers his seasonally closed store as a hiding place for Peter’s family and others, who gather together in the back room, light Hanukkah candles, and pray for the war’s end. Though the picture book format seems young for readers within the intended age range, Albert’s mood-shifting illustrations and the moving anecdote offer an accessible take on a terrible chapter of history.”—Publishers Weekly
School Library Journal
“With lighthearted illustrations and a hopeful story, this picture book translated from Hebrew offers an additional perspective on the events of World War II and the Holocaust.”―School Library Journal
Booklist
“A gentle, yet heroic addition to Holocaust literature.”— Kay Weisman, Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
“An accessible and memorable account for young readers of one man’s humanity during the Holocaust.”―Kirkus Reviews