Marcel Marceau was the most famous mime of the twentieth century. But before that, he was a young Jewish Frenchman growing up in the shadow of World War II. Born in Strasbourg as Marcel Mangel, he fled to Paris before the Nazi invaders and joined his brother in the Resistance.

The thrilling true story of Marcel's courageous youth and how his work against the enemy not just saved lives but led to his debut as a mime artist.

Perfect for:

- Readers aged 6 and up who are fascinated by real stories of courage

- Lovers of amazing true stories such as The Little Refugee and The Happiest Boy on Earth

- Families who want to introduce their children to a significant artist who has a unique place in history

- Classroom use in primary school settings when discussing the Holocaust, especially the French Resistance

- Gift giving to the art lover or collector of picture books

Praise for The Not So Quiet Life of Marcel Marceau

- 'A treasure for children ... equal parts heartbreaking and revealing.' Foreword

- 'An engrossing window into a lesser-known side of a gifted performer - and wartime hero.' Kirkus Reviews

- 'Told with lyrical restraint and emotional precision ... Zagarenski's mixed-media illustrations heighten the interplay of quiet and urgency.' School Library Journal

- 'Pamela Zagarenski, a two-time Caldecott honoree, cuts a trail through the complex territory of Marceau's boyhood that is both elegant and emotionally precise.' New York Times