Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
The Jewish Publication Society (1996), Edition: Illustrated, 32 pages
Description
In this allegory, the author's reaction to the Holocaust, the animals of the forest are carried away, one type after another, by the Terrible Things, not realizing that if perhaps they would all stick together and not look the other way, such terrible things might not happen.
User reviews
LibraryThing member whitneyharrison
This book doesn't really make sense unless you read what the author says at the beginning. It really makes people think about how good standing up for people can be and what it could have changed in the past. Instead of just turning our eyes in the other direction. In school many students see a lot
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of injustices done to their friends and even them. This is a great book to show what could happen if we all turned away from those things, and how negative things have happened in the past because of it. Show Less
LibraryThing member riannarash
This story introduces the Holocaust through symbolism. It takes bunnies that stand for the good innocent people that thought they were free and clear being in as much danger as the other animals. The other animals were the captured animals that no one wanted to help due to fear of being captured
This book book was not one of my favorites that I have chosen to read. I believe that this book would be a good book to introduce the Holocaust to students. I do believe the grade level is an important factor when reading and introducing this period of time.
EXTENSION IDEA 1
Have each student write about a time when they have helped someone or something in danger.
EXTENSION IDEA 2
At a High School level, have each student write a two page paper on their personal opinion on the Holocaust.
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themselves. This book book was not one of my favorites that I have chosen to read. I believe that this book would be a good book to introduce the Holocaust to students. I do believe the grade level is an important factor when reading and introducing this period of time.
EXTENSION IDEA 1
Have each student write about a time when they have helped someone or something in danger.
EXTENSION IDEA 2
At a High School level, have each student write a two page paper on their personal opinion on the Holocaust.
Show Less
LibraryThing member brittneywest
This book is an excellent representation of the events that took place during the Holocaust. Bunting compares the clearing of animals to the events that led to the extermination of human beings. I feel that this book would be a great way to introduce students to this part of history. The book is
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reccommended for children in the 2nd grade and up. Show Less
LibraryThing member nicolefish
I think this book was a little scary even for me. (2010)
LibraryThing member mfowleramato
Eve Bunting begins Terrible Things by introducing the reader to the woods, home to many different animals. Though these animals look different and have different needs, they live in harmony. This changes once the Terrible Things come to visit. The Terrible Things are not out to get everyone. They
Eve Bunting's chilling tale about the destruction of the forest encourages the reader to think about the dangers of turning our back on inequity. Stephen Gammell's black and white sketches are effective in setting the mood of this piece. The lack of color helps establish the darkness associated with discrimination.
Terrible Things could be used in grades 5 through 12. In addition to encouraging a discussion about the Holocaust, this book communicates the importance of standing up for what we believe in. Terrible Things could also act as a model in a secondary classroom in which allegory is being explored. This book might be a useful resource in a class that is engaging in a study of fables, as well.
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have very specific demands. The animals that don't meet their requirements are, at first, relieved. However, upon further reflection, they voice their understanding of why the Terrible Things might take their friends, rather than considering the seriousness of the situation. In order to protect themselves, the animals decide that it is better to ignore the behavior of the Terrible Things, commenting, "Just mind your own business, Little Rabbit. We don't want them to get mad at us." Unfortunately, the Terrible Things continue to visit. At the end of the story, Little Rabbit is left alone. He comments, "If only we creatures had stuck together, it could have been different."Eve Bunting's chilling tale about the destruction of the forest encourages the reader to think about the dangers of turning our back on inequity. Stephen Gammell's black and white sketches are effective in setting the mood of this piece. The lack of color helps establish the darkness associated with discrimination.
Terrible Things could be used in grades 5 through 12. In addition to encouraging a discussion about the Holocaust, this book communicates the importance of standing up for what we believe in. Terrible Things could also act as a model in a secondary classroom in which allegory is being explored. This book might be a useful resource in a class that is engaging in a study of fables, as well.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rebecca401
The forest is filled with many types of happy animals...Until one day, when the Terrible Things come. They come regularly to capture and take away a certain type of animal. Their weapon is fear and they need no reason to do what they do. The other animals look the other way and sigh a sigh of
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relief that it isn't them in the net of the Terrible Things. This book is very somber and frightening. It is an allegory of the Holocaust and an example of what happens when we are willing to look the other way when our friends and neighbors are persecuted. It ends on a hopeful note, however, when one small rabbit decides to speak up for what is right and encourage others to do as well. This could be a good discussion starter for any unit on prejudice, racism, etc. Show Less
LibraryThing member ssajj
Terrible Thing is an allegory of the Holocaust. The forest animals live happily until the Terrible Things come. They come first for “every creature with feathers...” The animals without feathers are relieved that the Terrible Things have not come for them; they allow the birds to be captured by
First They Came for the Jews
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
- Rev. Niemolle
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nets, then make excuses for why the Terrible Things might want to remove the birds and agree that life is better without them. Little Rabbit questions the Terrible Things’ actions and is quickly told to "Just mind your own business... We don't want them to get mad at us." The Terrible Things continue coming for various animals until the only creatures left are white rabbits. At the end there is one small rabbit who manages to hide left behind. Little Rabbit begins his journey to speak out for what is right and hopes someone is willing to listen. This is a good book to start discussing prejudice and racism with students. I think the book would be appropriate for upper elementary students and beyond. (I’ve included the quote that inspired this story below.)First They Came for the Jews
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
- Rev. Niemolle
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LibraryThing member rampaginglibrarian
I think that part of the problems involved in trying to evaluate whether or not this is an appropriate book for children is that, as adults, we are coming at the material understanding what it is an allegory for. It makes us shudder to think of it because it is so well-written and concieved. We
Looking at it with this admitted lack of perspective i think that it could be appropriate for children because the animals are "taken away", there is no mention as to what happens to them (and, historically, many people were unaware/in denial of what was happening while the Holocaust was happening.) Discussion with the children doesn't have to include what happened to the animals (and i realize that the unknown is almost more frightening, but it is hard to know how children will actually react as they don't have our pre-conceptions.)
It is definitely appropriate for older students as a discussion point about the Holocaust.
The ideas presented (not the literal, historical record, but their allegory) are important to talk about from an early age and i believe the author put much thought into how to do so and was successful. Parents and teachers should put as much thought about how (or if) to share it with their children.
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cannot see it without the connections it makes.Looking at it with this admitted lack of perspective i think that it could be appropriate for children because the animals are "taken away", there is no mention as to what happens to them (and, historically, many people were unaware/in denial of what was happening while the Holocaust was happening.) Discussion with the children doesn't have to include what happened to the animals (and i realize that the unknown is almost more frightening, but it is hard to know how children will actually react as they don't have our pre-conceptions.)
It is definitely appropriate for older students as a discussion point about the Holocaust.
The ideas presented (not the literal, historical record, but their allegory) are important to talk about from an early age and i believe the author put much thought into how to do so and was successful. Parents and teachers should put as much thought about how (or if) to share it with their children.
Show Less
LibraryThing member irkthepurist
so... on the one hand it's one of the most peculiarly leaden bits of obvious analogy ever written, but on the other hand... the artwork is extraordinary. terrifying but... extraordinary. about the definition of mixed bag really...
LibraryThing member mfwilson
This book is definitely for more mature readers. As it is telling the story of such a tragic and horrific event, the author writes the story so a child can better understand what the Holocaust was. I think it is important to include all of the terrible things to grasp the enormity of that event.
LibraryThing member awakefield808
Stunning book of the Holocaust. The illustrations are one of my favorite things about the book.
LibraryThing member capt.insaino
This story is an allegory to the Holocaust. Creatures known as the Terrible Things take groups of animals just based off what they look like. The main character is a small rabbit who does not like what is going on. He is forced to watch all of his friends be taken, group by group. Although he
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was very interesting. Even though I am older and I understand the true meaning of the Holocaust and what happened during that time it put it in a different perspective for me. The illustrations were interesting as well. There wasn’t any color except for a few hints of red; the rest of it was just black and white. It was well written and easy to understand.
I believe you could use this book for any age group above a fourth or fifth grade level. Even though the book is meant to reflect the events of the Holocaust, I believe you could use in a lesson over bullying or standing up for what you believe in. I believe it is very important to instill those ideas in our students and children.
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doesn’t like what’s going on the larger rabbit encourages him to be quiet and be thankful that it wasn’t them who were being taken. Until one day, after all the other animals were taken, the terrible things returned and captured all of the rabbits except that small rabbit who was able to hide and escape from the terrible things.I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was very interesting. Even though I am older and I understand the true meaning of the Holocaust and what happened during that time it put it in a different perspective for me. The illustrations were interesting as well. There wasn’t any color except for a few hints of red; the rest of it was just black and white. It was well written and easy to understand.
I believe you could use this book for any age group above a fourth or fifth grade level. Even though the book is meant to reflect the events of the Holocaust, I believe you could use in a lesson over bullying or standing up for what you believe in. I believe it is very important to instill those ideas in our students and children.
Show Less
LibraryThing member engpunk77
What do you do when some people are taken away? Do you think yourself lucky that it wasn't you and go about your business? What happens when they come for you? There won't be anyone left to help you.
I've seen this little story in an email, something like: First they came for the Jews, then they
This story is exactly the same way, but told with talking animals and haunting illustrations. I read it aloud as the "story for all ages" at church, and it opened up some discussion on our UU principles.
I've seen this little story in an email, something like: First they came for the Jews, then they
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came for the Poles, then they came for the ......, and when they came for you, there was no one there to do anything to save you. This story is exactly the same way, but told with talking animals and haunting illustrations. I read it aloud as the "story for all ages" at church, and it opened up some discussion on our UU principles.
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Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1980
Physical description
9.28 inches
ISBN
9780827603257