The White Ravens Database

Presented by   Internationale Jugendbibliothek / International Youth Library

Italian / Italy

Portico d'Ottavia

(Porticus of Ottavia)

Foa, Anna (text)
Berton, Matteo (illus.)
Roma [et al.]: Laterza, 2015. – 56 p.
ISBN 978-88-581-1723-1

Rome  | History 1943  | Ghetto  | World War II (1939-1945)  | Holocaust

Reading age: 10+

White Ravens issue: 2015

OPAC

Renowned historian Anna Foa leads readers through the streets of the Jewish ghetto in Rome. She conjures up the haunting atmosphere that existed there on October 16, 1943 when the inhabitants were apprehended by German police forces and shortly thereafter deported to extermination camps. The book keeps the memory of the past alive and also invites readers to critically observe our present times. Foa vividly portrays places and people. She names protagonists as well as invisible helpers who showed great courage and humanity in a climate of terror. The book offers an appropriate manner to bring history to children. It connects words with pictures, and these invite readers to look into people’s windows. The illustrations lets readers hear the noise of the rough boots of the guards as well as feel the rush of air created by the quick steps of those trying to flee. Young illustrator Matteo Berton comes from the domain of comic art and for the first time tries his hand at a different pictorial language.