Children’s book details childhood experiences of World War II
A new book by Paul Paulus, professor emeritus of psychology at The University of Texas at Arlington, describes his family’s experiences of participating in a network that sheltered Jews in Holland during World War II.
The children’s book, Hiding Little Nita, tells the true story of a young deaf girl who was forced to live apart from her parents under the threat of Nazi persecution. While Nita’s parents boarded with the Paulus family north of Amsterdam, Nita lived with a couple and their children in another city. The book describes the separated families’ experiences in hiding, including a dangerous encounter with one of Hitler’s soldiers and a brief emotional reunion between Nita and her parents.
Nita, her parents and her young cousin were the only members of their extended family to survive the war.
“It’s a story about resilience,” Paulus said. “All of the people described in the book demonstrated courage and sacrifice, which are valuable lessons for children as they learn about the great tragedy of the Holocaust.”
Paulus’ childhood experiences motivated him to study and teach social psychology throughout his career.
“Most of my family members joined the resistance and provided aid to persecuted Jews, but there were many people in the Netherlands who did nothing at all,” he said. “Everything that happened compelled me to spend my life studying groups of people and asking how they become generous or violent, subversive or obedient, kind or cruel.”
Jessica Soliz, a UTA art student, created the book’s illustrations. Starting with photographs of each of the families, Soliz recreated many scenes from their years in hiding.
“I hope the artwork allows readers to gain a different perspective of life during World War II,” she said.
Paulus has partnered with nonprofit organizations to raise awareness of Nita’s story. Videos and materials related to her family’s experiences are available for viewing on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s website. The book’s proceeds will be donated to the American Society for Deaf Children, which will be preparing a video using the book to teach American Sign Language to young children. Nita’s son, who is also deaf, will do the same for children in the United Kingdom.
Another book authored by Paulus entitled Two Families in the Hiding Place, which describes in detail the experiences of the families during and after the war, is being prepared for publication. Soliz also provided art for that book.