Benjamin Phillips Books

One Day shares the true story of survival during the Holocaust. Michael Rosen may be well known for his funny verses and entertaining poetry performances, but here he showcases a different, more serious and thought-provoking depth, inspired by real experiences from family history.

This stark, accessible picture book features Benjamin Phillips’s sombre and expressive illustrations in muted watercolour and inks, to follow a young French Resistance fighter who is captured by the Nazis and placed on a convoy headed to Auschwitz, but refuses to give up hope and eventually plans an escape.

The book deals with the harsh realities of the Holocaust and therefore is one for older primary or younger secondary readers. Among the darker historical truths, light also shines through in the focus on human courage and acts of agency in the face of evil. A gentle way to introduce a tough historical topic to children, making it a highly recommended choice for Upper Key Stage 2 history shelves.