Saving Hanno

The moving story of a young German Jewish boy, sent to England for safety via the Kindertransport, who saves the life of his dog, Hanno, as war looms.


Rudi is nine. His own country is no longer safe for Jewish children and he is being sent from Germany to England on the Kindertransport train. But he can't take his beloved little dog, Hanno. By a lucky chance Hanno is smuggled into England and helps Rudi to cope with life in a strange country. But as World War 2 looms, there is a chilling new threat to Hanno. How can Rudi and his new friends save their pets? Inspired by the real events of the Kindertransport and the refugee children who were sent to Britain just before war was declared.

"Miriam Halahmy draws on real events for a short chapter book set in the months before World War II. The story follows a 9-year-old German-Jewish boy, Rudi, who’s separated from his parents and his beloved dachshund, Hanno, when he and his sister are sent on a humanitarian Kindertransport to London. Ensconced with English-speaking foster parents in a strange new culture, Rudi is thrilled when Hanno can join him after a stint in quarantine. But soon there are new threats. Not only does German bombing mean that Rudi is to be displaced again, to the countryside, but Hanno is now at risk from a government campaign to euthanize pets, lest food run short and, in the chaos of war, the animals run wild. "

“Saving Hanno is about loss and hope. It tells a beautiful story, sadly still so relevant today, about how refugee children experience loss and grieve for the lives they left behind.” 

"Moving, heartfelt...with a steady strong pace and a vivid voice...a fantastic book for 7 upwards."

"With empathetic illustrations by Karin Littlewood, this is a holocaust story with a difference...and it's one that primary school age readers will certainly relate to. Many primary schools include WW2 as part of their history curriculum and while there are many stories about that terrible time, I would definitely advocate adding this one to the books to be shared."

"A beautiful, heartfelt book for younger readers."

"Miriam packs so much into this chapter book - the fate of Jewish children entrusted to the Kindertransport, the jeopardy of household pets as war looms...It's a book that deserves a wide readership."

"A neat little book that makes a fantastic addition to World War 2 and Holocaust literature for children aged 7-11, while also addressing themes still relevant today for refugee children."

"The combination of simple text and gentle illustrations make the difficult themes of loss, dislocation and  necessary resilience accessible to younger readers...There are no easy resolutions...but hope, courage and resourcefulness, as well as loss and fear, play a large part in this story." 

Miriam Halahmy was a teacher and special needs educator for 25 years. She writes fiction for children and teens, as well as short stories, poetry and song lyrics. Her books have been published in America and other countries. Miriam is inspired by contemporary and historic realistic issues and events. She is a frequent speaker in schools, colleges, universities and book festivals. When she is not writing, Miriam loves to spend time with family; travel; walk in the outdoors; attend theatre; reads widely and she also paints and plays the piano in the odd spare hour. She lives in London.


Karin Littlewood was born in Yorkshire and studied Graphic Design at Northumbria University before gaining an MA in Illustration at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has illustrated many children's books, including Immi for Otter-Barry Books, and enjoys illustration workshops with children. She lives in Stoke Newington, London.

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