Francesco Tirelli's Ice Cream Shop

by Tamar Meir, Book Buddy Digital Media (Read by)

Overview

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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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728411958
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	40 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	9 - 10 Years

About the Author

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.

Editorial Reviews

08/05/2019

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. Ages 8–12. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"This moving tale shows how one person’s courage can make all the difference in the world." — Nanette McGuiness, Global ITL

From the Publisher

08/01/2019

Gr 3–6—Ice cream connects generations and cultures in this nostalgic story of harboring Jewish people during the Holocaust. Francesco Tirelli loved visiting his uncle's ice cream shop in Italy so much that when he grew up and moved to Budapest, he opened his own gelato shop. Though critics claimed he would never be able to sell ice cream like his uncle, Tirelli established a thriving business in the center of town, where all enjoyed his frozen treats. During World War II, he turned his shop into a shelter to hide his Jewish neighbors. The business became a safe place where the Jewish residents of Budapest could remain out of sight and even celebrate their traditions, including Hanukkah. After the war was over, one of the small children hidden in the shop, Peter Mayer, grew up to open an ice cream shop in Israel. In the epilogue, it's revealed that the author is the daughter-in-law of Mayer. VERDICT 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.—Jamie Jensen, Wayne Cox Elementary School, Roanoke, TX

School Library Journal

2019-06-10
A gelato shop in Hungary becomes a hideout for Jews during World War II.

Francesco, a young Italian boy, falls in love with ice cream in every flavor. When he moves to Hungary, to the city of Budapest, there is none to be found as tasty as what he loved as a child, so he opens Francesco's Gelato. No Hungarian culinary specialties are on this menu. One day he encounters a young boy named Peter who shares his passion. After some years pass, the German war against Jews comes to Hungary, and Peter and his family are in danger. Francesco, who has closed his shop, now uses it to hide them and some other Jews. And in the midst of the darkness, Peter finds a special way to celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights. The author's note informs readers that, years later, Peter (known as Yitzchak in Israel) petitioned Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust museum, to honor Francesco as one of the Righteous Among the Nations. It is Peter's daughter-in-law who has written this simple but moving tale of quiet heroism. The delicately rendered illustrations vary from the sunny vistas of Italy to the darkness of the hideout. Faces are expressive, and the scene with hidden families around the hanukkiah (originally molds for chocolate) is especially moving.

An accessible and memorable account for young readers of one man's humanity during the Holocaust. (Picture book. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews