The Boy in Striped pyjama

There are a lot of books available on the horrors of Holocaust of Second World War. This one is written from the perspective of two children a Jew and a German.

Children see each other as children. Caste, colour, status, the background doesn’t cross their mind. In the game of life, one needs a playmate and that is all that matters to them.

In this innocence, the author John Boyne brings out the crookedness of the adult mind that first differentiates and then thinks of friendship. But like children, nature is also not biased. Pain and death don’t choose colour or creed.

We highly recommend the book ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ to children 12 and above. It is a heart-wrenching tale but brings out past we must not forget. The way we teach empathy and compassion to our children through various stories, this one is also a must.

There is a movie available too which has been adapted for the cinematic purpose. Some of the visuals especially the last bit may be disturbing. But the book carries reality with a subtlety that one may want our children to know and understand.