The Not So Quiet Life of Marcel Marceau
$23.99
- Hardcover
48 pages
- Release Date
2 June 2026
Summary
Marcel Marceau was the most famous mime of the twentieth century. But before that, he was a young Jewish Frenchman growing up in the shadow of World War II. Born in Strasbourg as Marcel Mangel, he fled to Paris before the Nazi invaders and joined his brother in the Resistance.
The thrilling true story of Marcel’s courageous youth and how his work against the enemy not just saved lives but led to his debut as a mime artist.
Perfect for:
- Readers ag…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781761182945 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1761182943 |
| Author: | Pamela Zagarenski, Sherry Bushue, Jenn Bailey |
| Publisher: | Allen & Unwin |
| Imprint: | A&U Children |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 48 |
| Release Date: | 2 June 2026 |
| Weight: | 352g |
| Dimensions: | 14mm x 260mm x 210mm |
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What They're Saying
Critics Review
‘I admire Bailey and Bushue’s deft balancing of lyricism and biographical detail. Their artfully chiseled text touches on the horrors of war without striking a false note or condescending to child readers. Of course, text this spare couldn’t dance without a brilliant partner. Pamela Zagarenski, a two-time Caldecott honoree, cuts a trail through the complex territory of Marceau’s boyhood that is both elegant and emotionally precise.’ New York Times
‘Bailey and Bushue’s succinct, well-crafted text presents just enough context without overwhelming the intended audience, while Zagarenski’s spellbinding art offers layered scenes to linger over … Through her palette, Zagarenski balances scenes of warmth and courage with moments of darkness … An engrossing window into a lesser-known side of a gifted performer-and wartime hero.’ Kirkus Reviews
‘Gorgeous, dreamy, surrealistic illustrations are used to illuminate the early life of the famed French Jewish mime Marcel Marceau in this biographical picture book-a story of “brushstrokes and bombs” that is a treasure for children… equal parts heartbreaking and revealing.’ Foreword
‘Told with lyrical restraint and emotional precision, this biography traces Marcel Marceau’s (1923-2007) evolution from imaginative child to mime whose art became an instrument of resistance during World War II … Zagarenski’s mixed-media illustrations heighten the interplay of quiet and urgency. Soft color palettes and generous white space evoke fragility and endurance. VERDICT A visually sophisticated and thematically resonant portrait that situates artistic mastery as both refuge and principled resistance.’ School LIbrary Journal
About The Author
Pamela Zagarenski
JENN BAILEY is the author of the beloved series that began with A Friend for Henry. Her work has received the American Library Association’s Schneider Family Award in 2024, and the Theodore Geisel Honor Award in 2024. She is also an editor, a documentarian, a blue-ribbon pie baker, and an eager traveller. She lives in Kansas with her husband, Kevin.
SHERRY BUSHUE is an author, entrepreneur, and founder of Kuzidi, a nonprofit charity serving children who suffer trauma. Once a medical social worker, she continues her lifelong advocacy to empower children and to share untold stories. Sherry lives in Kansas, captivated by Midwest thunderstorms.
PAMELA ZAGARENSKI is the winner of two Caldecott Honors, for Red Sings from Treetops and Sleep Like a Tiger. As well as illustrating picture books, she is the creator of Sacredbee, a gift card line. She lives in Stonington, Connecticut.
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