Hachette signs ‘deeply moving’ non-fiction Holocaust picture book
Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) has acquired Stephanie van den Bergh’s My Aunt Lucie, illustrated by Aura Lewis. The non-fiction picture book for readers aged nine and up tells the true story of a young Jewish woman whose life is changed by the events of the Second World War in the German-occupied Netherlands.
Publishing director of colour non-fiction Leah James acquired world rights from Julia Churchill at AM Heath, who is the author’s daughter. Colour non-fiction art director Shelley Nicoli acquired the illustration rights from Emily Jones at The Bright Agency. My Aunt Lucie will be published in January 2027 on the Wren & Rook list.
The book is an "intimate account that brings history to life through the lens of family memory". It tells the story of Netherlands-born Van den Bergh’s aunt – who was killed in Auschwitz aged 38 – and the remarkable life she led prior to the outbreak of the war. It offers young readers, HCG says, a "deeply human understanding of the Holocaust and an important opportunity to remember someone as a loved individual".
James said: "What makes [the book] so compelling is its intimacy; a true family story told with clarity and care. It’s both a valuable educational resource and a deeply moving reading experience."
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Van den Bergh was born during the Second World War and, as her father was Jewish, the family lived in hiding – though some were eventually captured. She said: "As I grew up, my aunt’s name was rarely mentioned, I knew nothing of her life. Then, a few years ago, my daughter Julia told me that Lucie was an archaeologist. She’d found a short wiki entry about her. I had no idea."
That led Van den Bergh to learn about Lucie’s life through family letters, school reports, Leiden University archives and talks with family members who knew her.
Churchill said that "it was always chilling and painful" to think of how the lives of Lucie and her other relatives who died in the camps ended. But when she found the wiki entry, she was excited because they came to know more than just Lucie’s name. She adds: "I urged mum to dig deeper. What she found was the story of a woman who loved learning, history and adventure, whose life and dreams were cut short."
Illustrator Lewis said her work on My Aunt Lucie felt "deeply personal" as her great-great-grandmother was killed in the Kovno concentration camp. She added: "This book is a reminder of why these individual stories matter so much, especially for young readers – behind every name is a whole life, with dreams, interests and possibilities. I am honoured to help bring Lucie’s story to the page."
