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Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope
Meet the boy who made up his own language -- and brought hope to millions.
Once there was a town of many languages but few kind words. Growing up Jewish in Bialystok, Poland, in the late 1800s, young Leyzer Zamenhof was surrounded by languages: Russian, Yiddish, German, Polish, and many others. But the multiethnic Bialystok was full of mistrust and suspicion, and Leyzer couldn't help but wonder: If everyone could understand each other, wouldn't they be able to live in peace? So Zamenhof set out to create a new language, one that would be easy to learn and could connect people around the world. He published a book of his new language and signed it Dr. Esperanto -- "one who hopes." Mara Rockliff uses her unique knack for forgotten history to tell the story of a young man who saw possibility where others saw only barriers, while Polish illustrator Zosia Dzierzawska infuses every scene with warmth and energy, bringing the story of Esperanto to life.
Once there was a town of many languages but few kind words. Growing up Jewish in Bialystok, Poland, in the late 1800s, young Leyzer Zamenhof was surrounded by languages: Russian, Yiddish, German, Polish, and many others. But the multiethnic Bialystok was full of mistrust and suspicion, and Leyzer couldn't help but wonder: If everyone could understand each other, wouldn't they be able to live in peace? So Zamenhof set out to create a new language, one that would be easy to learn and could connect people around the world. He published a book of his new language and signed it Dr. Esperanto -- "one who hopes." Mara Rockliff uses her unique knack for forgotten history to tell the story of a young man who saw possibility where others saw only barriers, while Polish illustrator Zosia Dzierzawska infuses every scene with warmth and energy, bringing the story of Esperanto to life.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 12, 2019
1 person is currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Mara Rockliff
37 books58 followersMara Rockliff is the author of many well-loved books for children. Her newest picture book is All at Once Upon a Time, about which Booklist warns, "Be prepared for this amusing storytime selection to be requested over and over."
Among her best-known titles are Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, winner of the Cook Prize and an Orbis Pictus Honor; Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles, distributed to schools and libraries across the country by the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission; and Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which in 2023 received a Sibert Honor from the American Library Association.
Under the pen name Lewis B. Montgomery, she also wrote all twelve books in the popular Milo & Jazz Mysteries chapter book series, which has been translated into Spanish, French, Turkish, and Chinese.
Rockliff lives in Western Massachusetts. Visit her online at mararockliff.com.
Among her best-known titles are Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, winner of the Cook Prize and an Orbis Pictus Honor; Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles, distributed to schools and libraries across the country by the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission; and Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which in 2023 received a Sibert Honor from the American Library Association.
Under the pen name Lewis B. Montgomery, she also wrote all twelve books in the popular Milo & Jazz Mysteries chapter book series, which has been translated into Spanish, French, Turkish, and Chinese.
Rockliff lives in Western Massachusetts. Visit her online at mararockliff.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 10, 2019
I loved this book. I was interested in Esperanto in college but never found a way to make space to take it. But I’ve learned a lot from this book because I hadn’t realized it is been around for as long as it has. I was under the impression it was a fairly new language circa the early 1970s. This is a lovely story about the man who created this language and why he did. It’s a wonderful picture book biography and includes interesting historical information. Wonderful illustrations! I loved them. There are Interesting and useful extras in the back of the book although they are not lengthy. Very touching!
four & one half stars
four & one half stars
October 18, 2021
Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope is a children's picture book written by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Zosia Dzierżawska. It centers on Ludwik Łazarz Zamenhof, whose penname is Doctor Esperanto, thought a common language could bring peace and communication and sought to do so.
Ludwik Łazarz Zamenhof was a Polish ophthalmologist who lived for most of his life in Warsaw. He is best known as the creator of Esperanto, the most widely used constructed international auxiliary language.
Rockliff's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Rockliff recounts the events simply, focusing on insights into Zamenholf's motives and processes in the construction of Esperanto vocabulary. However, the languages that Zamenhof used as a base for Esperanto are never named in the text or labeled in the illustrations, nor, frustratingly, are the Esperanto phrases translated. Backmatter includes an extensive afterward and sources. Dzierżawska's digitally assembled pencil-and-ink illustrations complement the text and depict time and setting, also providing visual mapping of vocabulary development.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Ludwik Łazarz Zamenhof hated war and conflict. He lived in late-19th-century Bialystok, where a diverse, distrustful population spoke many languages. He believed that a common language could bring everyone together, so he began the task of inventing that language. His first attempts were failures, lacking predictable patterns, but eventually, a large group of followers from all over the world came to love this language of peace and honor the person who created it.
All in all, Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope is an unusual and fascinating tribute to a linguist that believes that a common language could bring peace and communication.
Ludwik Łazarz Zamenhof was a Polish ophthalmologist who lived for most of his life in Warsaw. He is best known as the creator of Esperanto, the most widely used constructed international auxiliary language.
Rockliff's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Rockliff recounts the events simply, focusing on insights into Zamenholf's motives and processes in the construction of Esperanto vocabulary. However, the languages that Zamenhof used as a base for Esperanto are never named in the text or labeled in the illustrations, nor, frustratingly, are the Esperanto phrases translated. Backmatter includes an extensive afterward and sources. Dzierżawska's digitally assembled pencil-and-ink illustrations complement the text and depict time and setting, also providing visual mapping of vocabulary development.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Ludwik Łazarz Zamenhof hated war and conflict. He lived in late-19th-century Bialystok, where a diverse, distrustful population spoke many languages. He believed that a common language could bring everyone together, so he began the task of inventing that language. His first attempts were failures, lacking predictable patterns, but eventually, a large group of followers from all over the world came to love this language of peace and honor the person who created it.
All in all, Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope is an unusual and fascinating tribute to a linguist that believes that a common language could bring peace and communication.
December 2, 2019
Long before it was expected that a smart phone would be handy to translate if needed, the issue of multi-lingual individuals and groups struggling to make their thoughts and needs known was a global issue. Breakdowns in communication could lead to isolation, segregation, or even war.
The book reveals how a young boy/man realized this and also recognized that the many languages he heard had common traits or roots. His mission became his life's work- to create a common language that was close enough to the many others he heard to make learning it much easier. What's more, if there could be a common second language for all to learn, communication among people from all parts of the world would be eased.
He was not the first to try to invent a language, but he made it a point to simplify spellings, rules, and patterns, making it easier to understand and to reach out to others.
The drive came from his interest in peace, including the idea of not favoring one existing language as the dominant one for all to learn.
At this point in our globalized world, population isn't the only factor to determine that English and Mandarin Chinese are widely known by many people around the world. Even so, Esperanto is a model of ways in which we could actively seek to come together rather than decide on a winner at the expense of smaller populations or power bases. Back matter is very well done, as are illustrations.
The book reveals how a young boy/man realized this and also recognized that the many languages he heard had common traits or roots. His mission became his life's work- to create a common language that was close enough to the many others he heard to make learning it much easier. What's more, if there could be a common second language for all to learn, communication among people from all parts of the world would be eased.
He was not the first to try to invent a language, but he made it a point to simplify spellings, rules, and patterns, making it easier to understand and to reach out to others.
The drive came from his interest in peace, including the idea of not favoring one existing language as the dominant one for all to learn.
At this point in our globalized world, population isn't the only factor to determine that English and Mandarin Chinese are widely known by many people around the world. Even so, Esperanto is a model of ways in which we could actively seek to come together rather than decide on a winner at the expense of smaller populations or power bases. Back matter is very well done, as are illustrations.
April 3, 2019
What a great historical story! Charming illustrations, well-crafted text, and excellent background information.
May 8, 2020
As a kid, I was always fascinated with the idea of Esperanto and how it could unite the world. As an adult, that fascination was rekindled when I read In the Land of Invented Languages: Esperanto Rock Stars, Klingon Poets, Loglan Lovers, and the Mad Dreamers Who Tried to Build a Perfect Language by Arika Okrent. However, I had never thought about learning more about the man behind the language.
This picture book introduces readers of all ages to the life of Leyzer Zamenhof, the man who became known as Doctor Esperanto. We learn of his youth in Poland, about how he came up with and toiled to create a first version of Esperanto which was destroyed by his father, and how he decided to make up a second, much simpler language. That second language is what we now know as Esperanto, a made up language spoken by millions of people around the globe.
This picture book introduces readers of all ages to the life of Leyzer Zamenhof, the man who became known as Doctor Esperanto. We learn of his youth in Poland, about how he came up with and toiled to create a first version of Esperanto which was destroyed by his father, and how he decided to make up a second, much simpler language. That second language is what we now know as Esperanto, a made up language spoken by millions of people around the globe.
May 28, 2019
This was published by Candlewick so of course its a quality book (they sent an advanced reader to me for a review, they didn't know i would have probably bought it anyway).
Esperanto was designed/created to reverse Babel. A nineteenth century man grew up in a multi-ethnic town and heard/saw the negativeness by people not speaking a common language, he created one. The world soon adopted it and we all lived happily after.
No, but some people did believe in it and still do and still speak it. In the end notes we find out that Hitler thought it was a Jewish plot to rule the world (ever wonder what would happen if Jews actually ruled the world? 400 years of goyim and we aren't doing too good a job.)
The art and writing are pleasant and the book has a terrific bibliography.
Esperanto was designed/created to reverse Babel. A nineteenth century man grew up in a multi-ethnic town and heard/saw the negativeness by people not speaking a common language, he created one. The world soon adopted it and we all lived happily after.
No, but some people did believe in it and still do and still speak it. In the end notes we find out that Hitler thought it was a Jewish plot to rule the world (ever wonder what would happen if Jews actually ruled the world? 400 years of goyim and we aren't doing too good a job.)
The art and writing are pleasant and the book has a terrific bibliography.
May 4, 2019
Very interesting and informative: a great read for anyone interested in learning a little bit about the background/history of Esperanto--and no, I don't just mean children. Good notes in the end matter and resources for exploring more, if that is of interest. I never imagined that there would be a nonfiction picture book about this topic, but I am thrilled that there is--and it's a good one!
October 11, 2019
The chorus with which I sing is performing a piece in January in Esperanto, so I was eager to see this book appear on the shelf. This language is older than I thought! Full of information and wonderful illustrations, it will take you into "Dr. Esperanto's" world.
April 7, 2019
Doctor Espéranto
Written By: Mars Rockliff
Illustrated by: Zosia Dzierzawska
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Wow, I loved this book! It is a fantastic story about a truly inspiring family.
Story:
I had no idea about the story behind the Espéranto language. Zamenhof was a Jew born in Russian occupied Poland and so he heard and learned multiple languages as a child. His theory was that a common language (such as Espéranto which combined elements of many languages) would lead to peace. I just think this concept shows Dr. Zamenhof’s spirit. The reality is much more complicated isn’t it? But, I love the concept that if we could all just understand each other verbally then we could find a way to really know each other.
The author also does a great job in presenting this language. She explains it simply, shows the language development over time, and gives us the words in a way we can understand them.
This storybook has a happy ending showing the world-wide growth and the love and understanding garnered by this language. At the end of the book there is a short biography of Dr. Zamenhof which led me to do a bit of research on my own. He was such a fascinating man. Dr. Zamenhof’s children continued his work after his death. His son was an ophthalmologist who did a lot of work on “blind spots”. His youngest daughter was a writer and toured the world. I couldn’t find much on the older daughter. The sad part is that they all died during WWII in Nazi concentration camps. Truly, the travesty of the Holocaust becomes ever more heartbreaking as we encounter real people who suffered and died.
Illustrations:
I loved that the illustrator is from Poland. She said in her blurb at the end of the book that she used old “photographs, paintings, and stories” to help “soak” herself in the story setting. It really shows throughout the book. The outfits of the people are just beautifully detailed and the settings are staged as if I was watching a play. The pictures immersed me in Zamenhof’s world. The illustrations also played a role in showing the language development and meaning of words.
In conclusion:
Please read this book! Even my husband was interested in this story and he doesn’t read for pleasure. We found Espéranto on Duolingo and are having fun.
Written By: Mars Rockliff
Illustrated by: Zosia Dzierzawska
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Wow, I loved this book! It is a fantastic story about a truly inspiring family.
Story:
I had no idea about the story behind the Espéranto language. Zamenhof was a Jew born in Russian occupied Poland and so he heard and learned multiple languages as a child. His theory was that a common language (such as Espéranto which combined elements of many languages) would lead to peace. I just think this concept shows Dr. Zamenhof’s spirit. The reality is much more complicated isn’t it? But, I love the concept that if we could all just understand each other verbally then we could find a way to really know each other.
The author also does a great job in presenting this language. She explains it simply, shows the language development over time, and gives us the words in a way we can understand them.
This storybook has a happy ending showing the world-wide growth and the love and understanding garnered by this language. At the end of the book there is a short biography of Dr. Zamenhof which led me to do a bit of research on my own. He was such a fascinating man. Dr. Zamenhof’s children continued his work after his death. His son was an ophthalmologist who did a lot of work on “blind spots”. His youngest daughter was a writer and toured the world. I couldn’t find much on the older daughter. The sad part is that they all died during WWII in Nazi concentration camps. Truly, the travesty of the Holocaust becomes ever more heartbreaking as we encounter real people who suffered and died.
Illustrations:
I loved that the illustrator is from Poland. She said in her blurb at the end of the book that she used old “photographs, paintings, and stories” to help “soak” herself in the story setting. It really shows throughout the book. The outfits of the people are just beautifully detailed and the settings are staged as if I was watching a play. The pictures immersed me in Zamenhof’s world. The illustrations also played a role in showing the language development and meaning of words.
In conclusion:
Please read this book! Even my husband was interested in this story and he doesn’t read for pleasure. We found Espéranto on Duolingo and are having fun.
April 26, 2019
As this lively picture book demonstrates, sometimes all that separates us is our language, which can be both simple and challenging to surmount. More than a century ago, a boy living in Poland thought he might have found the answer. The boy, Leyzer Zamenhof, realized that much of the conflict and rudeness he saw displayed in his town could be attributed to a failure to understand one another. If everyone spoke a common language, he thought, then maybe they'd get along better. Since it would never work to have one language chosen over another one, he decided to invent his own, taking words from different languages and eventually landing on the idea to base his language on parts of words that could be put together in multiple ways. While his classmates loved the idea, his father did not, taking his work from him and destroying it while he was studying at the university. With the help of his wife, Clara, he started over again, this time publishing his work under the moniker Doctor Esperanto. The back matter discusses how his language is still used today, an avenue to peace and understanding, and while it didn't ever become the universal language Zamenhof dreamed that it would be, there is still an annual conference devoted to Esperanto. The illustrations, created in pencil and ink and digitally assembled, show the enthusiasm others had for the language and the determination of one individual who looked for a way to encourage peace and understanding. Many young readers will enjoy having this story that offers a fascinating slice of history and an example of persistence. I cannot imagine how Zamenhof felt when he discovered that all his work had been for naught and he had to start over again or abandon the project.
January 27, 2021
Fun fact about me: when I was 7-years-old my mum started teaching me the planned language Esperanto, which she'd begun learning when she saw an advert for lessons at our local library. As I got more fluent I was able to write letters to a penpal in Uzbekistan and meet children from all over the world at congresses. I even appeared on BBC Newsround because of it.
Sadly, I haven't kept up my practice and I've forgotten a lot, but I really enjoyed this beautifully illustrated children's book which is an introduction to Dr Zamenhof's invention.
There are still millions of Esperanto speakers around the world. Because it's a planned language it's logical and really easy to learn, and research has shown that it helps children learn other subsequent languages much more easily. It's one of the languages featured on Duolingo, so why not look into it?
Sadly, I haven't kept up my practice and I've forgotten a lot, but I really enjoyed this beautifully illustrated children's book which is an introduction to Dr Zamenhof's invention.
There are still millions of Esperanto speakers around the world. Because it's a planned language it's logical and really easy to learn, and research has shown that it helps children learn other subsequent languages much more easily. It's one of the languages featured on Duolingo, so why not look into it?
May 14, 2019
An intriguing introduction to the developer of the language, Esperanto.
Rockliff’s simple biography of Leyzer Zamenhof, the creator of Esperanto, the language of hope, is an appropriate overview of his life and development of the language for students in early elementary grades.. The book concludes with an author’s note “Why Esperanto?”, a brief biography of Zamenhof, and a list of selected sources used. Illustrations done in pencil ad ink and assembled digitally by Zosia Dzierzawaska use a muted color palette, making them serviceable, but not outstanding.
Recommended for grades K-3
Rockliff’s simple biography of Leyzer Zamenhof, the creator of Esperanto, the language of hope, is an appropriate overview of his life and development of the language for students in early elementary grades.. The book concludes with an author’s note “Why Esperanto?”, a brief biography of Zamenhof, and a list of selected sources used. Illustrations done in pencil ad ink and assembled digitally by Zosia Dzierzawaska use a muted color palette, making them serviceable, but not outstanding.
Recommended for grades K-3
December 1, 2019
Fascinating stuff--I've always wondered about the language of Esperanto, how it came to be created and why. Jewish/Russian/Polish scholar L. L. Zamenhof, saw as a child how his village of Bialystok had people who spoke three different languages, and often couldn't communicate with each other. He decided to invent a language that was easy to learn and could be a standard language for everyone to use to easily be understood. (Now we pretty much have English for that, but it wasn't always the case.) I enjoyed the illustrations that included words of Esperanto, and the author's note that explained a little of the grammar and the creation of it.
January 1, 2020
[The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
What I liked:
- super cute and hopeful!
- full of beautiful illustrations
- very interesting, especially for young readers who like linguistics, languages and conlangs
- great introduction to Esperanto
What I didn't like:
- I wish there was a vocabulary section at the end...
What I liked:
- super cute and hopeful!
- full of beautiful illustrations
- very interesting, especially for young readers who like linguistics, languages and conlangs
- great introduction to Esperanto
What I didn't like:
- I wish there was a vocabulary section at the end...
January 12, 2020
Tells the story of Zamenhof developing Esperanto (twice!). It talks about the motivations and work he did on Esperanto from childhood and ends with his speech at a world congress on Esperanto.
The back matter tells more of the history of the language and of Zamenhof's life. It's pretty pro-Esperanto.
The back matter tells more of the history of the language and of Zamenhof's life. It's pretty pro-Esperanto.
November 5, 2019
Wow. I'd never heard of this universal language, created by a young Polish Jew in the late 1800s, which is still spoken today around the world. Fascinating. Apparently Tolkien was quite taken with it.
January 13, 2020
For anyone who wanted to invent a language or anyone who got frustrated because communication was difficult because of multiple languages.
This is the story of a young man who invented Esperanto, trying to make a language that would be easy to learn and remember.
This is the story of a young man who invented Esperanto, trying to make a language that would be easy to learn and remember.
March 10, 2019
Invention isn’t limited to science
September 23, 2019
I liked this as a very brief introduction...but wish it had a little bit more int the story part. [The additional notes at the end were helpful.]
May 25, 2019
Great introduction to the man and the language, and an interesting choice to include in a discussion about peace.
July 25, 2019
A simple, quick read! The language is intentionally easy to understand, even if you don't know it.
July 31, 2019
A good introdcution to Leyzer Zamenhof, aka Dr Esperanto, who created an enduring universal language in hopes of uniting people.
July 31, 2024
If you're into languages. Or you're into world peace. Or maybe both...
Probably you've heard of Esperanto, but did you ever know where it came from?
Meet Leyzer Zamenh, a Jewish boy from Bialystok, Poland. In the late 1800s, young was surrounded by grumpy people who spoke different languages. Sadly, those grumpy people couldn't understand each other.
Leyzer borrowed words from many different languages and "tailored them to fit."
The idea was, "Now anyone could understand at least a little of his language, and a few words were familiar to almost everyone."
Writers who praised Esperanto included J.R.R. Tolkien in England, Jules Verne in France,and Leo Tolstoy in Russa. Hitler, however, was not a fan. When he came to power, Hitler "had a special hatred for Esperantto, hich he imagined was a Jewish plot to take over the world."
FIVE STARS for a thought-provoking book, told in just enough detail for an introduction to Esperant.
The language spread until
Probably you've heard of Esperanto, but did you ever know where it came from?
Meet Leyzer Zamenh, a Jewish boy from Bialystok, Poland. In the late 1800s, young was surrounded by grumpy people who spoke different languages. Sadly, those grumpy people couldn't understand each other.
Leyzer borrowed words from many different languages and "tailored them to fit."
The idea was, "Now anyone could understand at least a little of his language, and a few words were familiar to almost everyone."
Writers who praised Esperanto included J.R.R. Tolkien in England, Jules Verne in France,and Leo Tolstoy in Russa. Hitler, however, was not a fan. When he came to power, Hitler "had a special hatred for Esperantto, hich he imagined was a Jewish plot to take over the world."
FIVE STARS for a thought-provoking book, told in just enough detail for an introduction to Esperant.
The language spread until
September 16, 2021
This book tells the story of Leyzer L. Zamenhof and his desire to create a unifying language. He faces many set backs in creating this language, such as his father destroying his work, but his language is a success anyway. He wanted to create a language that any one could understand. He wanted to unite the world with a "language of hope." I really enjoyed this books. This was a story I had never heard before but I thought was extremely beautiful and important. This book told a lesser known story in a very easy to understand way.
I would use this in my classroom when discussing the importance of being united. Our world is full of division. It is important to hear stories of people who fought and worked for unity. This is a story that most kids probably have never heard, but I think is important for them to hear.
I would use this in my classroom when discussing the importance of being united. Our world is full of division. It is important to hear stories of people who fought and worked for unity. This is a story that most kids probably have never heard, but I think is important for them to hear.
January 7, 2023
Ciekawa historia, ale jak dla mnie czegoś w niej zabrakło. Chyba chciałabym, aby była nieco dłuższa i bardziej szczegółowa. Z drugiej strony dzieci powinny być usatysfakcjonowane przedstawieniem tematu, bo ilustracje są ładne a z tekstu można sporo dla siebie wyciągnąć.
Polecam tym, którzy nic o esperanto jeszcze nie wiedzą i chcieliby od czegoś zacząć.
Polecam tym, którzy nic o esperanto jeszcze nie wiedzą i chcieliby od czegoś zacząć.
May 23, 2023
Another great book by Mara Rockliff! 4.5 stars. I would have liked a glossary at the end of the book to make translation from Esperanto into English easier to do before reading the book to kids. However, I enjoyed the biographical information and the addendum explaining that the language of Esperanto lives on in countries all around the world. So inspiring!
January 11, 2024
One of my nephews is interested in constructed languages, so I was not totally new to the concept. I did not realize that Esperanto was so popular and that William Shatner starred in an Esperanto horror film in the 1960s. It took me a few pages to realize what this book was talking about, but once I did, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
March 11, 2020
This is a fascinating history, for kids and adults, about the development of Esperanto. I enjoyed learning so much about Dr. Zamenhov!
March 8, 2022
Good story and pictures
May 24, 2023
Very good and descriptive book.
I never new Esperanto existed before I read this book.
I never new Esperanto existed before I read this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews