Judy Katsh (Children's Literature)
King Christian X of Denmark was a much beloved monarch who mixed easily among his countrymen. He knew he was trusted and respected by them and shunned bodyguards or any other royal barriers between himself and his people. Stories are told of his daily rides through the city of Copenhagen and of his stalwart resistance to Nazi oppression and criminality. The legend retold here, is one in which the King risks everything--his identity, his monarchy, and his very life in an attempt to stop the Nazis from tearing apart his country and harming his people. As a model of righteousness, as a clever strategist, and as a devoted leader, King Christian X sets the standard. He deserves a legendary place in history and this elegant picture book places him there, front and center among the heroes of our times. The spare text tells the simple story with splendor and bronze-tinged full-page paintings quietly underscore the heartbreak and the majesty of the man and this legend. 2000, Peachtree Publishers, $16.95. Ages 6 up.

CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2001)
Early in the year 1940, in the country of Denmark, there were only Danes. Tall Danes. Short Danes. Old Danes. Silly Danes. Cranky Danes . . . and even some Great Danes. But no matter how different from each other they seemed, the Danes held one thing in common. All were loyal subjects of their beloved King Christian." At one point during the World War II occupation of Denmark, the Nazis required all Jews to identify themselves by wearing a yellow Star of David on their outer clothes. According to legend, King Christian X of Denmark became frightened on behalf of his Jewish subjects. "Without the yellow star to point them out, the Jews looked like any other Danes. Gentiles and Jews were all Danish subjects who worshiped God in different ways. If King Christian called on the tiny Danish army to fight, Danes would die. If he did nothing, Danes would die." The king appeared unescorted in public the next day wearing a yellow star. Other Gentiles were inspired to wear yellow stars, too, and so the Nazi edict lost its frightful power. Sørensen's full-color paintings expand the bold act of solidarity in this account. In two pages at the end of the picture book, Deedy lists documented facts and points out a universal truth in the legend. CCBC categories: Folklore, Mythology, and Traditional Literature; New Editions of Old Favorites. 2000, Peachtree, 32 pages, $16.95. Ages 6-9.

A. Braga (Parent Council Volume 8)
This relatively recent legend recounts how good King Christian X saved the Danish Jews during the Nazi invasion of World War II. The author explains that it is indeed a legend since there is no documentation for the story. Nevertheless it is still a wonderful story--one of human love and heroic justice. The superb paintings by illustrator Henri Sorensen beautifully complement the lyrical prose. A marvelous gift, that is highly recommended. 2000, Peachtree Publishers, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12.

John Stewig (Parent's Guide, Fall 2000 (Vol. 3, No. 1))
A dramatic incident during the second World War, this is clearly labeled a "legend," and the tale recounts with affection the boldness of King Christian X in dealing with the persecution of the Jews. The text is simple and direct, done with considerable dialogue and Sorensen's darkly handsome illustrations are painterly in tone with enough detail to evoke the time but not delay the forward movement of the words. 2000, Peachtree, $16.95. Ages 8 to 11.

Janice M. Del Negro (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, November 2000 (Vol. 54, No. 3))
During the Nazi occupation of Denmark, Jews were ordered to wear a yellow six-pointed star on their clothing, so they would stand out from their fellow Danes and be easily identifiable. Legend has it that in defiance, Danish King Christian had such a star sewn on his own clothing, and that his people, Jews and Gentiles, followed his example, “and, once again, in the country of Denmark, there were only Danes.” Professional storyteller Deedy retells this legend (identified as unsubstantiated in an extensive author’s note) in unadorned, effective language that lends currency to history. The succinct, provocative opening lines (“Early in the year 1940, in the country of Denmark, there were only Danes”) are enhanced by a Copenhagen street scene crowded with various citizens; each illustration that follows further substantiates the text, giving a solid sense of times passed. The spare but resonant storytelling is given an authoritative setting in Danish illustrator Sørensen’s paintings; his formal style and balanced compositions reinforce the mood and dignity of the story. The placement of the historical note at the end of the book instead of at the beginning exacerbates the obvious problem of the possible reinforcement of false history. In the hands of a context-providing adult, however, this tale will find heavy use as a readaloud and discussion starter, whether the topic is truth, history, heroism, or moral dilemmas. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2000, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2000, Peachtree, 32p, $16.95. Grades 3-5.

Lisa Handelman (The Five Owls, November/December 2000 (Vol. 15, No. 2))
This delightful book by Carmen Agra Deedy, professional storyteller and author of a librarian favorite, The Library Dragon (Peachtree, 1994), is a perfect introduction for young readers to the difficult story of the Holocaust. The Yellow Star retells a well-known story of the good people of Denmark during the Nazi occupation of their country. When the Jews of Denmark were forced to wear yellow stars upon their clothing, King Christian, the legend tells us, was so outraged that he began to wear a star upon his own clothing. The Danish population quietly followed suit and took part in the only recorded state-sponsored act of communal defiance. The story is surprisingly moving because it is told so simply. It would be suitable for a child as young as second or third grade, with a willing adult nearby to answer the many questions that it would surely elicit. The pictures are large and realistic with one page especially charming in its depiction of the different types of Danes living happily in Denmark, including, of course, canine Great Danes. The way the author chooses to reveal the agonizing of the King and his eventual moral decision is suspenseful and inspiring. This book held a group of fourth graders spellbound as I read it to them last month. It would be an excellent addition to the many recent books on tolerance and human rights. Although this legend is not known to be based in truth, the reason the story has persisted in Holocaust lore is precisely because, among Nazi-occupied countries, only Denmark succeeded in rescuing the overwhelming majority of its Jews. (A total of only 60 Danish Jews were killed during this time period.) The author tells us, in her author's note, that this legend persists because it provides for us a symbol of unity and hope. "What if it had happened? What if every Dane, from shoemaker to priest, had worn the yellow Star of David? And what if we could follow that example today against violations of human rights? What if the good and strong people of the world stood shoulder to shoulder, crowding the streets and filling the squares, saying, 'You cannot do this injustice to our sisters and brothers, or you must do it to us as well.' What if?" 2000, Peachtree, $16.95. Ages 9 to 12.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2001)
When the Nazi occupiers threaten the Jews of Denmark, King Christian X sews a yellow star onto his own clothing, defying Hitler's orders and empowering all Danes to proclaim solidarity with their Jewish friends and neighbors. This well-told legend is coupled with handsome oil paintings that echo and extend the tale's narrative strength and precise setting. An author's note separates fact from fiction. Category: Nonfiction-Folktales and Nursery Rhymes. 2000, Peachtree, 32pp, $16.95. Ages 5 to 9. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.

Barbara Powell (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 13, No. 2))
This story is based on a legend that has its basis in fact. After the author heard this story for the first time, she researched to find if it was true or not. The author discovered (as is noted in the "Author's Note" in the back of the book) that the story itself could not be verified but many of the incidents being retold here were factual. The story is a tribute to the nation of Denmark and its treatment of the Jews during World War II. It is a simple story of courage and people standing together for a common cause. The illustrations are drawn in full, rich color and are very lifelike. The fact that the illustrator is a Dane makes the illustrations that much more believable. The reading level is second to third grade, while the story and illustrations are appropriate for first grade through twelfth grade. It can be used in history, art, and human rights classes for all ages. Grades 1-12. 2000, Peachtree, Unpaged, $16.95. Ages 6 to 18.