Katrina Nannestad (text) & Martina Heiduczek (illustrator), All the Beautiful Things, ABC Books AU, October 2024, 352 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780733343148
Eva Baumann is a small and frail child who is intellectually impaired and yet full of ethereal beauty and endowed with the gift of loving. This unique child finds everything ‘beautiful.’ Her very existence in a world, where Hitler’s desire to develop a ‘master race’ devoid of those who were disabled, Jewish or in any way considered different, places her in a most precarious position.
This story is told from the point of view of her older sister and protector Anna. Her family and small circle of trusted friends are in grave peril if discovered for keeping Eva hidden from prying eyes and fanatical Nazi supporters, and yet they continue to strive to bring light to her captive world, through storytelling, and by bringing her trinkets, and keepsakes from the world beyond. But soon more children need help.
And so, Anna and her best friend Udo, a kindly Nazi seamstress and a feisty Brunhilde take further massive risks to protect these vulnerable children. Soon Anna starts to wonder if any of them will make it through this dark time of World War II.
Unexpectedly, Anna and Udo befriend beautiful Eva Braun when ice skating. Hitler has a chalet nearby and one day Anna goes there to meet Eva Braun, believing that she is just pretending to like Hitler, as they do, to stay safe. It is only after the war Anna realises otherwise.
Katrina Nannestad’s fourth Second World War story focuses on Hitler’s hatred and elimination of those who were in any way set aside from his ideal of the perfect Aryan man, woman, or child. Eva, only seven years old, is not perfect and so she must be protected and hidden away. And yet, blissfully unaware of the ugliness surrounding her Eva views the world in amazement, and finds everything ‘beautiful.’
Katrina Nannestad has written a gentle story about courage, love, kindness, and hope during a very dark period in modern history. Her ability to address the horrors of Hitler’s extermination program and yet balance it with selfless acts of love, friendship and loyalty is truly a lesson in the uncompromising heroism possessed by some human beings. And as such, Katrina has made this topic digestible for children.
Beautiful characters, intrigue, loyalty, loss, and sadness and bucketfuls of kindness make this an excellent read. Less confronting than some of her other World War II historical fictions it is nonetheless powerful in its presentation.
Katrina’s historical fiction, All The Beautiful Things was an absolute pleasure to read, not only for the stunning story, but the beautiful feel of the physical book, hardback, quality paper, detailed illustrations, and endpapers. Such a sensuous experience.
This historical fiction is interlaced with history about the German Youth, use of propaganda, Hitler’s inner circle, and forced euthanasia—all presented at an age -appropriate level. It would be an excellent choice for a class novel or Literature Circles as it provides the scope for an in-depth study of Hitler and Nazi Germany with a particular focus on the persecution of the ‘other.’
A word of note to teachers! And teacher librarians.! From a pastoral perspective there needs to be some pre-teaching regarding the theme explored in this novel and a sensitivity to any children who may have a family member with a disability. To assist with this, there are teaching notes available at the publisher’s website.
Recommended for upper primary and lower high school readers, it also offers plenty of depth and emotion to captivate adult readers. 11+
Reviewed by Julie Deane
Read Gaby Meares’s review here.
