THE BRAVE LITTLE BOAT

Heroes don't necessarily have to be big and strong or even human to make a difference in the lives of the people they save. This is the ultimate lesson that young Kayla and Landon learn when their grandfather takes them to the seaport where the children find themselves face to face with a most unusual hero. The Brave Little Boat is the true story of a seemingly small, insignificant fishing boat that played a heroic role in saving the lives of over 300 Danish Jews during World War II.

This 40-page hardcover is written by Stephen A. Ollendorff & Kenneth Sawyer and features the first-ever illustrations created for a children's book by famed Croatian artist Ivan Lacovic, who died shortly before its publication. The book has been published in English, Croatian and Hebrew, and is utilized in children's libraries throughout Israel and across America. The 9-minute animated adaptation of the book is directed by award-winning filmmaker Jakov Sedlar and executive produced by Bjørg Ollendorff.

By special decree of the Danish Parliament, the real Brave Little Boat was transferred to The Jewish Museum in New York City. The Jewish Museum has entrusted the care of it to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, where it is on display. All royalties from the book and DVD will be donated to preserve and maintain The Brave Little Boat.

MEDIA & LINKS:

• Read an excerpt from The Brave Little Boat

  The next day, Grandpa, Landon and Kayla were standing on the dock in front of an old, wooden boat.

  "Grandpa, what are we doing here?" Landon asked. "You told us you were going to tell us a story and we would meet a real hero?"

  "Well, let me start the story," Grandpa answered.

  "Many years ago, there was an evil man named Adolph Hitler who wanted to take over the world. Other evil people, called Nazis, helped him. Wherever the Nazis went, they killed or hurt people who were just like you and me."

  "But Grandpa, why would they do such a bad thing?" Kayla asked.

  Grandpa replied, "Because people believe in different religions and have different ideas. The Nazis were very bad to people who did not believe in what Adolph Hitler believe.  The people he hated the most were Jewish."

  
  
• Watch The Brave Little Boat
• Download the Discussion & Classroom Activity Guide (PDF)
• Purchase the "Brave Little Boat" book + DVD