2 - America's home front children in World War II

Summary

The war I grew up with was World War II, and you think about what happened to children then

Maurice Sendak (Rothstein, 1988, p. C-19)

An excellent way to approach any topic involving children is through the imagination – with a fairy tale. One of the most fascinating books published in 1988 was Dear Mili, a tale written in 1816 by Wilhelm Grimm. Its surfacing made front-page news when it was discovered in 1983. “After more than 150 years,” the New York Times reported, “Hansel and Gretel, Snow-White, Rumpelstiltskin, and Cinderella will be joined by another Grimm fairy-tale character” (McDowell, 1983).

“There was once a widow,” the tale begins – a widow who had a little house and garden and one little daughter, “a dear, good little girl, who was always obedient and said her prayers before going to bed and in the morning when she got up” (Grimm, 1988). But a horrible war threatens, and Mili's mother sends her daughter into the forest to save her. Mili's guardian angel guides her to the hut of a kindly old man who gives her shelter. She repays his kindness by serving him for what she thinks are three days. Actually, 30 years pass. When she finally leaves to be reunited with her aged and heartbroken mother, the old man reveals himself to be St. Joseph and hands her a rosebud. “Never fear,” he says. “When this rose blooms, you will be with me again” (Grimm, 1988).