Judith Kerr - When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

With James Naughtie.

Judith Kerr discusses her novel When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. First published in 1971, she wrote it for her son in order to explain the story of her own family's flight from Nazi Germany. Her father was a drama critic and a distinguished writer whose books were burned by the Nazis. The family passed through Switzerland and France before arriving finally in England in 1936.

Kerr found herself a fairly willing refugee, seeing her long travels as a great adventure. Her parents went to great pains to confirm and support this view, often hiding their own personal and professional privations and struggles from their young children.

When Hitler Stole the Pink Rabbit is now used as a set text in German schools, used as an easy introduction to a difficult period of German history.

Presenter : James Naughtie
Interviewed guest : Judith Kerr
Producer : Dymphna Flynn

March's Bookclub choice : When the Lion Feeds by Wilbur Smith.