The Windsor Caper
A wonderful children’s book from acclaimed writer Gerda Weissmann Klein.
The Windsor Caper is a children’s book written by Gerda Weissmann Klein who is a Polish Holocaust survivor now living in the USA. Ever since her amazing rescue in 1945 (which is the subject of a best-selling autobiography and an Oscar-winning documentary) she has felt tremendous gratitude and love for England, its people and the Royal Family. This book is an expression of those joyous feelings; she always describes it as “the only book I have written that is not rooted in pain”.
The Windsor Caper is about the adventures of two little American girls who are accidentally locked into Windsor Castle and have an extraordinary night of adventure. They meet historical and imaginary characters and heraldic creatures and successfully disrupt an attempted robbery by couple of ruthless art thieves. It is set some time in the 1980, when Gerda originally wrote it as a children’s weekly serial for the Buffalo News.
TESTIMONIALS
By Robin Kendal on 28 April 2014
The blurb says that the book is a “delightful, gentle and magical book for children”. That phrase captures it all although I would add that adults may also find it so. I liked the mixture of fact and “fantasy” and interesting little snippets of information provided by an American penny. The sketches add visual appeal. Echoing a previous reviewer, I found this book delightfully retro.
great fun and very entertaining
By sandra Furby on 7 May 2014
I thought this book was a delightful read and I actually learnt quite a lot about heraldry and Windsor Castle which has made me want to visit. I thought some of the comparison of English and American misunderstandings was highly amusing. It reminded me slightly of the Famous Five and Secret Seven stories I read in my youth. A fun read.
A great Christmas gift for young readers and adults who love children’s books
By Joyce Cade on 5 Dec 2013
It’s refreshingly traditional, such relief in this Facebook age. Now we have to visit Windsor Castle again to see Queen Mary’s doll’s house anew and to see those characters jumping out of their paintings. It’s a delightful retro story. We loved it.
Two American girls fall asleep and enter a world of heraldry
By Eddy Knasel on 7 Oct 2014
Originally published in instalments in 1987, this charming book is brought up—to-date through occasional comments from a lost US cent (the Penny). It’s beautifully written and will enthral young children – particularly American ones. I agree that it would make a good Christmas present for younger relatives.
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