Doctor Esperanto and the language of hope

Growing up in BiaBystok, Poland, in the 1860s, Leyzer Zamenhof heard many languages but not much harmony. He wondered whether, if the townspeople could understand each other through a common language, they would live in peace. In this picture-book biography, Rockliff relates Leyzer's endeavor to create a universal language. Instead of starting from scratch, the linguist borrowed familiar cognates. And despite discouragement from his father, he found a partner in a young woman named Clara. With her help, he introduced his language in a book that he signed as Doctor Esperanto or one who hopes. Eventually letters arrived from like-minded individuals around the world, who called the language Esperanto because it also gave them hope. This delightful story deserves its charming illustrations, rendered in pen and ink and assembled digitally. They spread more cheer as Leyzer travels to France to attend a universal congress of Esperanto and share his language in person. Appended back matter relates more facts about Zamenhof and Esperanto's simple structure. This inspiring, overlooked historical figure showed that experimentation isn't limited to science.--Angela Leeper Copyright 2019 Booklist

Gr 2-4-Dr. Esperanto, the pseudonym of L. L. Zamenhof, comes out of deep obscurity in this intriguing picture book biography. Growing up in Poland, Zamenhof spoke several languages. While he graduated from medical school and practiced as an opthamologist, his passion was creating a universal language so everyone could understand one another and live in harmony. The story deftly explains Zamenhof's attempts to create Esperanto. It also delves into his father's lack of encouragement. The story ends on a positive note, with Zamenhof joining a hopeful international conference on Esperanto in Paris. A page explaining why the language might be beneficial is appended. Further biographical information is also included. This is a true picture book, with no index. The text is fairly brief. Softly colored cartoon illustrations show various, mostly European cultures. The overall feeling is warm and optimistic. This is an inspiring story of determination and hope. VERDICT Recommended in part because there are no other books about Esperanto or Zamenhof for this grade range. Especially useful for adults interested in the language who want to share their enthusiasm with their students or children in their lives.-Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Leyzer Zamenhof hated war and conflict.He lived in late-19th-century Bialystok (then part of the Russian Empire), 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. Adjusting words that already existed worked better, especially those that had similar construction or sounds and could be put together in a logical structure. But while he was studying medicine in Moscow, his early work was destroyed. With his wife's help, he began again, revising and refining his concepts. He signed his work "Dr. Esperanto," his language's word for "one who hopes." 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. Rockliff recounts the events simply, focusing on insights into Leyzer's motives and processes in the construction of Esperanto vocabulary, but much is omitted from the primary narrative. Material in the afterword more clearly explains the development of the language and further relevant details about Zamenhof, including the fact that he was a Jew. Dzierzawska's digitally assembled pencil-and-ink illustrations complement the text and depict time and setting, also providing visual mapping of vocabulary development. 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.Unusual and fascinating but flawed. (sources) (Picture book/biography. 8-11) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.