Janusz Korczak (1879–1942) is one of the legendary figures to emerge from the Holocaust. A successful pediatrician and well-known author in his native Warsaw, he gave up a brilliant medical career to devote himself to the care of orphans. Like so many other Jews, Korczak was sent into the Warsaw Ghetto after the Nazi occupation of Poland. He immediately set up an orphanage for more than two hundred children. Many of his admirers, Jewish and gentile, offered to rescue him from the ghetto, but Korczak refused to leave his small charges. When the Nazis ordered the children to board a train that was to carry them to the Treblinka death camp, Korczak went with them, despite the Nazis’ offer of special treatment. His selfless behavior in caring for these children’s lives and deaths has made him beloved throughout the world; he has been honored by UNESCO and commemorated on postage stamps in both Poland and Israel. Korczak’s grimly inspiring ghetto diary is now available in paperback for the first time, accompanied by a new introduction by Betty Jean Lifton, the author of the biography of Korczak.

Ghetto Diary

Korczak, Janusz

Religion & Spirituality

Yale University Press

Matt is crowned king when his father, Stephen the Wise, passes away, but when Matt tries to reform his kingdom and help its children, he is dethroned and sent into exile.

King Matt the First

Children's Books

Farrar. Straus & Giroux

Janusz Korczak brings a humane, compassionate voice to help us honor children as independent beings worthy of utmost respect.

A Voice for the Child: The Inspirational Words of Janusz Korczak

Joseph, Sandra

Biographies & Memoirs

Thorsons Pub.

The Warsaw Ghetto Memoirs of Janusz Korczak

Reference

University Press of America

These two works belong to that group of books written by one of this century's fiercest and most devoted child advocates. In the first, Korczak uses fiction to reveal the joys and sorrows of a child, a ten-year-old, juxtaposing them against the feelings of an adult as they both react to two days of adventure spent together. Two prominent themes in his writing are the exploration of the place of children in an adult world and the examination of the treatment and regard children are accorded in that world. In his second book, Korczak spells out his 'Magna Charta Libertatis' in defense of the child's right to respect, right to be him or herself, and, most importantly, right to respect for the strenuous effort expended in the process of 'growing up.'

When I Am Little Again and The Child's Right to Respect

Kulawiec, E. P.

These two works belong to that group of books written by one of this century's fiercest and most devoted child advocates. In the first, Korczak uses fiction to reveal the joys and sorrows of a child, a ten-year-old, juxtaposing them against the feelings of an adult as they both react to two days of adventure spent together.

Kaytek, a mischievous schoolboy who wants to become a wizard, is surprised to discover that he is able to perform magic spells and change reality. He begins to lead a double life: a powerful wizard in the dress of an ordinary boy. It’s all great fun using magic to cause strange incidents in his school and neighborhood, but soon Kaytek’s increasing powers cause major chaos around the city of Warsaw. Disillusioned, he leaves the country and wanders the world in search of the meaning of his good intentions, his unique abilities, and their consequences. Revolving around the notion that power is not without responsibility, nor without repercussions, this story speaks to every child's dream of freeing themselves from the endless control of adults, and shaping the world to their own designs.

Kaytek the Wizard

Literature & Fiction

Penlight Publications

Janusz Korczak was a Polish physician and educator who wrote over twenty books--his fiction was in his time as well known as Peter Pan, and his nonfiction works bore passionate messages of child advocacy. During World War II, the Jewish orphanage he directed was relocated to the Warsaw ghetto. Although Korczak's celebrity afforded him many chances to escape, he refused to abandon the children. He was killed at Treblinka along with the children. King Matt the First, one of Korczak's most beloved tales, is the story of a boy who becomes king and sets out to reform his kingdom. He decrees that all children are to be given a piece of chocolate at the end of each day. He visits faraway lands and befriends cannibal kings. Whenever his ministers tell him something's impossible, he puts them in jail. He disguises himself as a soldier and becomes a hero. But, as in real life, fantasy is tempered by reality:Matt's fellow kings become jealous of his success--and in the end, Matt falls, although it's clear that he was the greatest king there ever was. Now this rediscovered classic is available again, and with a vibrant new cover by award-winning artist Brian Selznick. This timeless tale shows that only through the honesty and spontaneity of children can grown-ups begin to imagine and to create a better world.

Algonquin Books

Born in Poland in 1878, educator, physician, and legendary child advocate Janusz Korczak believed that simply understanding children is the key to being able to take care of them. It’s a basic premise too often overlooked. This collection of one hundred quotations and passages from Korczak’s writings provides valuable advice on how to take care of, respect, and love every child. In an inviting gift-book format, this is a heartfelt and helpful reminder of who we were as children and who we might become as parents.

Loving Every Child: Wisdom for Parents

Health, Fitness & Dieting

‘King Matthew the First’ is firmly established in the canon of world classics for children. Written in 1922, this children's novel tells the adventures of a ten-year-old prince who suddenly inherits the throne from his father. At first the boy submits himself to old royal customs and to the influence of the incumbent ministers. However, he soon decides to prove to the world and to himself his independence and courage, reaching out to standards repeatedly set by his heroic ancestry. So, when war breaks out, with his friend Felix, Matthew disguises himself as a common soldier and joins the fight. The life at the front teaches him humility, resolve, emotional self-control, resourcefulness and the price of true friendship. After a triumphant return from the war, Matthew feels that has already acquired enough experience and wisdom to break free from the control of his mentors and advisors and…to govern. He chooses his allies and friends, including King Bum-Drum. In his dream of a fair state, he introduces many bold reforms. Yet, he commits the unfortunate mistake of bringing to life a governing assembly run by adults and children with equal prerogatives. This too far-reaching reform unites his enemies and weakens his country. Foreign powers take advantage of the situation and attack King Matthew’s kingdom. This time, despite a brave defense, Matthew is defeated and judged. He is sentenced to death, but the punishment is mitigated at the last minute and turned into an exile on a desert island.‘Little King Matthew’ is one of the most famous children's novels in the world. It has been translated into dozens of languages and repeatedly adapted for movies. This limited series edition has been created in memory of the prestigious Polish publication from 1955, which was illustrated by George Srokowski—one of the best Polish graphic artists of the twentieth century.The author of this Polish novel, Janusz Korczak (the pen name of Henryk Goldszmit, 1878-1942), is a prominent Polish-Jewish writer. He was famous not only for his novels—he was also a pediatrician, educator and social activist. He became famous as a theoretician and practitioner in the field of Education. He was the inventor of an original system of working with children, which was based on partnership, self-governing institutions and procedures, and the promotion of self-education. As a researcher delving in the child’s world, he pioneered the development of educational diagnostic activities and became a precursor of children’s rights.Janusz Korczak was a co-founder and director of the orphanage for Jewish children in Warsaw (1912-1942) which was moved in 1940 to the Warsaw Ghetto. Until the last moment, he remained with the orphans. He died a martyr’s death in the Treblinka extermination camp.

King Matthew the First

Classics

Nanook Books

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Korczak, Janusz. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Korczak, Janusz

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Korczak, Janusz. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Ghetto Diary

King Matt the First

A Voice for the Child: The Inspirational Words of Janusz Korczak

The Warsaw Ghetto Memoirs of Janusz Korczak

When I Am Little Again and The Child's Right to Respect

When I Am Little Again and The Child's Right to Respect

Kaytek the Wizard

King Matt the First

Loving Every Child: Wisdom for Parents

King Matthew the First