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Judith Kerr - When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

Judith Kerr discusses her classic novel for children When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, based on her childhood experience of her family's flight from Nazi Germany. With James Naughtie.

With James Naughtie.

Judith Kerr discusses her novel When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. First published in 1971, she wrote it for her son in order to explain the story of her own family's flight from Nazi Germany. Her father was a drama critic and a distinguished writer whose books were burned by the Nazis. The family passed through Switzerland and France before arriving finally in England in 1936.

Kerr found herself a fairly willing refugee, seeing her long travels as a great adventure. Her parents went to great pains to confirm and support this view, often hiding their own personal and professional privations and struggles from their young children.

When Hitler Stole the Pink Rabbit is now used as a set text in German schools, used as an easy introduction to a difficult period of German history.

Presenter : James Naughtie
Interviewed guest : Judith Kerr
Producer : Dymphna Flynn

March's Bookclub choice : When the Lion Feeds by Wilbur Smith.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Thu 5 Feb 2015 15:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter James Naughtie
Producer Dymphna Flynn
Interviewed Guest Judith Kerr

Broadcasts

  • Sun 1 Feb 2015 16:00
  • Thu 5 Feb 2015 15:30

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