Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams: The Woman Who Rescued a Generation of Children and Founded the World’s Largest Children’s Library

Gr 2-7–A warm and engaging biographical look into the life and legacy of Jella Lepman, a visionary who believed deeply in the power of stories to heal and connect. The book traces Lepman’s journey from her childhood in Germany through her marriage, career, and ultimately her extraordinary work in the aftermath of World War II. It highlights how her lifelong love of words and stories shaped her mission to bring hope, empathy, and understanding to children living through the trauma of war. One of the book’s strengths is how it situates Lepman’s personal history within a broader historical context. Readers gain insight into the challenges she faced during and after WWII, and how these experiences inspired her to create what would become the world’s largest children’s library. While the book certainly acknowledges this landmark achievement, more than half of the narrative focuses on Lepman’s life story, offering depth and humanity to a figure whose contributions often go unrecognized. The illustrations are rustic and reminiscent of picture book styles from the era, adding texture and authenticity. Their muted tones and classic line work help evoke the period and enhance the emotional resonance of the narrative.