
HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN’S BOOKS CELEBRATES FIFTY YEARS OF JUDITH KERR’S ICONIC WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT
This autumn marks fifty years since the publication of one of the most important and beloved children’s literature classics – When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit – written by the incomparable Judith Kerr.
To celebrate this special anniversary, HarperCollins Children’s Books will publish a new anniversary hardback, with Judith Kerr’s original line drawings, on 30 September.
A new audio version of the book will be read by Judith’s daughter, actor and artist Tacy Kneale, creating a heartfelt and truly memorable rendition of this much-loved story.
Based on Judith Kerr’s early life and her family’s escape from Nazi Germany when she was only nine years old, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is told from Anna’s perspective, who is too busy with schoolwork and tobogganing to listen to the talk of Hitler. But one day she and her brother are rushed out of Germany in alarming secrecy, away from everything they know, to embark on an extraordinary journey to a new life.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit has sold more than three million copies worldwide and features on education curriculums across the globe. It was described by Michael Morpurgo as ‘the most life- enhancing book you could ever wish to read’.
Judith was inspired to write it after taking her children to see The Sound of Music. She said: ‘After the film, they said, ‘‘Now we know what it was like for Mummy when she was a little girl,” and I thought, No, it wasn’t like that at all. As well as giving me a chance to tell my children about my experience, the book was also a way for me to remember my parents, and for them to be remembered.’
Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher, HarperCollins Children’s Books, said: ‘When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is unique in exploring history from a child’s eye view and is told with Judith Kerr’s indomitable spirit, her passionate belief in freedom and the enduring power of family love. Indeed, Judith always told me that her parents had made their escape from Nazi Germany feel like one big adventure and she carried that positivity throughout her life. We are honoured that Judith’s own daughter, Tacy, will be recording the audio book, inviting a whole new audience to share her mother’s remarkable story. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit remains one of the most important books for children to read today and we are incredibly proud to publish it on the HarperCollins Children’s Books list.’
The anniversary publishing will be supported by a range of educational and outreach activities for schools, libraries and bookshops, and a major marketing and PR campaign.
JUDITH KERR
Judith Kerr was born in Berlin, but her family came to England from Germany in 1933 to escape the rise of the Nazi party. She studied at the Central School of Art and later worked as a scriptwriter for the BBC.

Judith married the celebrated screenwriter Nigel Kneale in 1954. She left the BBC to look after her two children, who inspired her first picture book, The Tiger Who Came to Tea. First published in 1968, it has sold many millions of copies throughout the world and has become a beloved classic.
Her other works include Mog the Forgetful Cat and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. In 2012 Judith was awarded an OBE for her services to children’s literature and holocaust education, and in 2019 she was named Illustrator of the Year at the British Book Awards. Judith died in May 2019. Her much-loved stories continue to delight generations of children.