Esther Hautzig facts for kids
Esther R. Hautzig (born October 18, 1930, died November 1, 2009, in America) was an American writer. She was born in Poland. Esther Hautzig is best known for her famous book The Endless Steppe (1968). This book won awards and tells a true story.
Her Life Story
Esther Hautzig was born as Esther Rudomin in Vilna, Poland. Today, this city is called Vilnius, and it's in Lithuania. Her childhood changed completely when World War II started. In 1941, Soviet troops took over eastern Poland.
Esther's family was forced to leave their home. They were sent far away to Rubtsovsk, in Siberia, Russia. Esther spent five difficult years there in exile. Her award-winning book, The Endless Steppe, is her own story about those years in Siberia.
After the war, when she was 15, Esther and her family moved back to Poland. But Esther really wanted to stay in Siberia. She wrote The Endless Steppe after a famous person, Adlai Stevenson II, suggested it. She had written to him after reading his articles about visiting Rubtsovsk.
Family Life
Esther Rudomin met Walter Hautzig, who was a concert pianist. They met in 1947 while she was traveling to America. They got married in 1950. They had two children, Deborah and David. Deborah also became a children's author.
Esther Hautzig passed away on November 1, 2009. She was 79 years old. She died from heart problems and complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Her Books
Many of Esther Hautzig's books are about everyday life. They are written for kids who are almost teenagers or just starting their teen years. Her books encourage young readers to explore and try new things.
She wrote some "Four languages" books. These books are written in English, Spanish, French, and Russian.
Esther Hautzig also had strong connections with Jewish writers. She wrote the introduction for a new edition of a book about the culture and history of Vilna.
Her book The Endless Steppe is very popular. It has been printed many times and translated into many languages. Some of these include Dutch, French, German, Japanese, and Swedish. It's even available in Braille.
Books About Everyday Life
- Let's cook without cooking. New York: Crowell, 1955.
- Let's make presents. 100 gifts for less than $1.00. New York: Crowell, 1962.
- At home: A visit in four languages. Illustrated by Aliki Brandenberg. New York: Macmillan, 1968.
- In the park: An excursion in four languages. Illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats. New York: Macmillan, 1968.
- In school: Learning in four languages. Illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian. New York: Macmillan, 1969.
- Let's make more presents: Easy and inexpensive gifts for every occasion. Illustrated by Ray Skibinski. New York: Macmillan, 1973.
- Cool cooking: 16 recipes without a stove. Illustrated by Beth Peck. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, 1973
- Life with working parents: Practical hints for everyday situations. Illustrated by Roy Doty. New York: Macmillan, 1976.
- A gift for mama. Illustrated by Donna Diamond. New York: Puffin Books, 1981.
- Holiday treats. Illustrated by Yaroslava. New York: Macmillan, 1983.
- Make it special: cards, decorations, and party favors for holidays and other special occasions. Illustrated by Martha Weston. New York: Macmillan, 1986.
- On the air: Behind the scenes at a TV newscast. Photographs by David Hautzig. New York: Macmillan, 1991. Also available in Braille.
Culture and History Books
- The endless steppe: A girl in exile. New York: Scholastic Book Services, 1968.
- Peretz, Isaac Leib. The case against the wind, and other stories. Translated (from Yiddish). With Leon Steinmetz. New York: Macmillan, 1975.
- Peretz, Isaac Leib. The seven good years and other stories. Translated. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1984.
- Remember who you are: Stories about being Jewish. New York: Crown Publishers, 1990.
- Riches. Illustrated by Donna Diamond. New York: HarperCollins, 1992. Also available in Braille.
- A picture of grandmother. Illustrated by Beth Peck. New York: Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2002. Also available in French.
