The importance of making even younger readers aware of the consequences that racial discrimination can lead to is significant in promoting equal rights and learning to recognize when an attitude can become defamatory or discriminatory. On the occasion of the Day of Remembrance which falls on January 27th, Il Sole 24 Ore brings the book “The star that does not shine. The Shoah narrated to children “by Guia Rasari, with intense illustrations by Gioia Marchegiani, a story that, with delicacy and language suitable for a young audience, aged 9 and over, sheds light on one of the darkest chapters of recent history . The volume is embellished with an appendix with historical information on Fascism, Nazism, World War II and the Holocaust. A little girl, Eva, finds a tin box in the attic containing a fabric star that was once supposed to be yellow, but the color has now faded. When she questions her father about where she comes from, he turns pale and promises her grandfather will tell her the story of that little star. In fact, Eva’s parents feel obliged to let her know how things really are, but they don’t have the courage to face the discussion. They think the grandfather might be the best person to talk to him about, given his direct involvement and personal memories. That same afternoon her grandfather arrives home just for her and for the story that awaits. It is not a happy story, indeed it is very sad, and it will make the child cry but, as her grandfather tells her, the most important thing is to know and not to forget. A delicate and at the same time powerful story to tell children about the tragedy of the Shoah through words of hope. “Remember. You just have to remember why nothing like this can ever happen again. ‘ The story of the Shoah passes through emotions, memory, relationships, transforming the horrors of the past into a seed of peace and hope.
