1. Interactive Map Historical context Who’s who The Zoo More information From the author

2. More information

3. About the author Antony Lishak is an author of over 30 children’s books and is widely known for leading inspirational writing workshops in schools across the UK and Europe. After sixteen years as a teacher he left to concentrate on empowering children to see themselves as authors and has since worked in over 2000 schools. STARS is different from anything else he has written. It is the first book that draws directly from his Jewish heritage and is inspired by an act of selfless generosity by his grandfather that sadly only came to light after his death. STARS is a work of historical fiction and Antony sees himself more as a story teller than a historian. A considerable amount of research has gone into the creation of this book as it was absolutely crucial that the major events were reflected as accurately as possible and that the characters (both real and invented) behaved authentically. If you are interested in find more about the characters in the book, what happened in the zoo, the ghetto and in Warsaw during this period here are some suggestions…

4. Safe Haven The Zoo Keeper’s Wife A book by Diane Ackerman that uses Antonina Zabinski’s diaries to tell a comprehensive account of the events at the zoo. A short factual film about war time Warsaw and the events at the zoo that featuring Ryszard Zabinski, Jan and Antonina’s son.

5. Janusz Korczak Wladyslaw Szpilman There are many books by and about Janusz Korczak. These are just a few. There is also a film based upon his life. Wladyslaw Szpilman’s book “The Pianist” talks about his ghetto experiences. A film of the book has been made as well (it carries a 15 certificate).

6. Irena Sendler Although Irena Sendler does not feature in STARS her amazing story sits perfectly beside it. She was a Polish health worker in the ghetto with many friends in the Jewish community who arranged for about 2500 children and babies to be smuggled out to safety. For one night hers and the Zabinski’s stories merge as she was given shelter in the zoo when hiding from the Gestapo.

7. A Film Unfinished The Ringleblum Archive A remarkable film that uses long lost archive footage of ghetto life that was actually taken by a Nazi Propaganda film unit. THERE ARE SOME DISTURBING SCENES IN THIS FILM. A remarkable film that uses long lost archive footage of ghetto life that was actually taken by a Nazi Propaganda film unit. THERE ARE SOME DISTURBING SCENES IN THIS FILM. The Ringleblum Archive is the major source of information for anyone who wants to learn about the Warsaw Ghetto. “Notes From The Ghetto” is a selection of personal testimonies from ghetto residents and “Who Will Write Our History?” is a scholarly account of Emmanuel Ringleblum’s life and work.