Testimonials

"Cara, Thank you so very much for your wonderful presentation at the Highlands Ranch Historical Society. Our attendees appreciated meeting you and learning about Anne and Otto Frank. I just read your book, Tree of Hope. It is amazing. I could not put it down. Your descriptions made me feel like I was you and I was Anne. Thank you for your lifetime devoted to Anne and her father and all the effort you have made to share it with us. It was a pleasure meeting you."

“Hi Cara. Wow! What a riveting presentation! Our students were blown away. We ended up processing your story and all those amazing quotes afterward. They would like to be in touch with you.”

“Oh Cara! The ladies raved about how genuine you are and how timely the book and conversation was. We can’t express how thankful we are that our paths have crossed and you came to our book club.”

"Recently, I attended a lecture presented by Cara Wilson-Granat at the Wind Crest Facility at Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Cara explained how she came about her interest in the story of Anne Frank and later her friendship with Anne's father, Otto Frank. (This is not being written to document the terrible situation of the Jewish people during that time.) What I received from this presentation was to love one another without hatred. Cara gave us stones, explaining when we toss a stone in the water it has a rippling effect. We at Prospect Crossing have meetings twice a month to bring all our residents closer together. In the next bi-monthly meeting, I will hand out stones to explain what we can do for our community is a positive way. Thank you, Cara, for your presentation."

"I had the privilege of coaching Cara Wilson Granat and she taught me so much. This talk is exactly what the world needs right now. Watch it!"

"Dear Cara, thank you very much! What an emotional and touching talk, apart from Buddy and Gerti I have never heard a testimonial from someone who was so close to Otto and it was a true revelation to me. It is simply wonderful how you manage to convey Otto’s personality to the public. It does him great justice and confirms the impression that I have always had of him, that of an exceptionally honourable and decent man of great intelligence and wisdom. We are truly grateful to you for keeping his memory alive."

"Hi Cara, I actually received a Google alert about your speech yesterday afternoon. I quickly clicked on it watched your inspirational Ted talk. I thoroughly enjoyed it, the message and delivery was powerful. Especially liked how you incorporated Anne and Otto’s words, urging your audience to incorporate the meaning into their own lives. Well done! Cheers!"

"Dear Cara, thank you for your mail. It is great! Congratulations! All the best, Gerti" (widow of Buddy Elias, Anne Frank’s first cousin)

"Please watch this Tedx Talk! It is astonishing that Cara and Anne Frank’s father became friends for many years! See her talk about it here and read her book, “Strength From Tragedy”. When my son was in 8th grade in Pacific Grove, Cara gave her talk to his school. I was there and it knocked my socks off to learn about her life experiences with Otto. Cara and I became fast friends and I am still bowled over 25 years later, every time I consider her fortunate circumstances!"

"I'm so fortunate that I was able to hear this story first hand from Cara Wilson Granat herself. Her life and her spirit are absolutely one of a kind, and I'm so blessed to call her my friend. Keep talking, Mama Cara...the world needs to hear what you have to say."

“Dear Cara, Just finished watching your amazing and very moving talk. I felt like Otto was there with you. I am sure his face is beaming with love, joy and hope. Just think, one day we will all be together in heaven and we will have eternity to rejoice in each other’s company. Thank you so much for sharing this magnificent speech with me. What a beautiful gift you have been given and share so beautifully. Keep up the holy work you are doing. God bless...”

“Cara's presentation was engaging, inspiring and thoughtful. Her message is perhaps more important now than ever. We received great feedback from all those who attended.”

"Thank you so much for coming to my home last night to listen to Cara speak. Words cannot begin to convey how inspired I was by Cara’s speaking. She truly spoke from the heart, and it was wonderful to witness how she touched each one of us with her story. No matter the subject, the message always seems to be the same – regardless how daunting the story or the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, it is in making the repeated “choice” to find love, hope and the connectedness to community that keeps the flame of life and love enduring through time."

"Most people have heard of or read the Diary of Anne Frank. Cara Wilson-Granat actually knew and corresponded with Anne’s father, Otto. She has written a book about the life lessons she learned from Otto. I consider it a historical treasure. It is necessary read. She now is taking her stories on the road for all to hear. It is amazing to think that we have someone who is alive and able to share personal details about someone who lived through probably the most horrific period in Modern History. What makes her story important is how Otto handled the personal tragedy and what we can learn as a society from his courage. Cara is determined to keep Otto’s and Anne Frank’s memories alive. Our society today needs her message more than ever. She passionately talks about truth, the human ability to survive, and forgiveness. It is a fun full hour of personal life lessons, tears and joy. I highly recommend booking Cara for your next available speaking engagement, and guarantee your audience will not be disappointed."

"Cara Wilson-Granat is a dynamic speaker. She had us crying and laughing simultaneously – and ultimately so moved by her message of hope that we all felt inspired long after her talk. I have heard Cara address large groups and small – from intimate luncheons to larger gatherings and she makes you feel like she is speaking directly to each person individually. We need to hear the message of hope and making positive choices and realizing our own power and impact in the world, now more than ever; and Cara helps us do just that. You are in for a great time, believe me."

"Thank you, Cara, for the amazing program you presented at our congregation for Kristallnacht. You were inspiring and informative and left everyone with such a sense of hope about our possibilities to make a difference. People are still talking about your visit."

"I express my sincere appreciation to you for helping the Assistance League of Sacramento Authors’ Day first event, May 14, 2011, get off the ground running. As the first speaker you had the audience spellbound and you set the tone of caring and empathy for the day. Your strong and beautiful voice and elegant style of speaking was powerful. I really enjoyed getting to know you. Thanks for being such a vital part of the day."

"Cara helped us see the world through Otto Frank’s eyes. As he was a survivor of the Holocaust, we would expect him to see only the tragic in life, to be bitter and depressed. Rather, the lesson that he chose to take from his experience was that nothing is more important than the bonds one person forms with another."

"Cara Wilson-Granat has the rare gift as a a public speaker to be able to engage the audience beyond the moment, inspiring people to further thinking and to continue the conversation long after the event. The Monterey Institute of International Studies was honored to invite Cara to speak at two separate events in November 2012. Her warmth, intelligence and humor sprinkled with self effacing wit worked as well at a small gathering of women as it did at a lecture in a large public auditorium. Cara is a wonderful person to work with and to know and I wholeheartedly recommend her a public speaker."

"Cara’s talk was moving and inspirational. She is a dynamic speaker with a fascinating story to tell, one that gives you an inside view of one of history’s most beloved Holocaust figures. The audience was captivated by Cara’s story-telling. You will not want to miss this incredible speaker."

Cara….what can I say? You inspired me to continue to see the good in people, in life, in experiences. Thank you so much for speaking at my Rotary Club. I will recommend you with enthusiasm!”

Thank you so much for joining us yesterday. You did such a beautiful job of taking us from the rise of Nazism to your personal relationship with Otto Frank. It was a very moving presentation filled with pathos, sadness and hope. Hopefully your message resonates with other audiences as it did with ours. Shalom!

Thanks again for your time and commitment to our production and outreach opportunity. We are honored to have worked with you and do hope to work with you in the future to continue such a poignant message to our community. Thanks again for everything! It has been wonderful to meet and speak with you over the last several weeks.

Dear Cara, WOW!!! What an impactful “meeting” yesterday! I knew in my heart that you would be just as you were! Beautiful inside and out! I love how God orchestrates our lives so that we can have those ‘aha moments.’ Thank you for your super kind words!

Cara is an amazing storyteller, taking us on a journey through Otto Frank’s eyes. Her insight about the Holocaust, the meeting of Otto Frank and understanding better Otto Frank’s relationship with his daughter, Anne Frank, is powerful, and makes us appreciate the situation on a much deeper level. I highly recommend Cara as a storyteller and guest speaker. I can’t wait to start to read her book! Thanks Cara!

Thank you for a wonderful and inspirational evening of sharing your story. I believe everyone was glued to their seats and we could have heard a pin drop. I will certainly recommend you to our other Evergreen area clubs. I know that they would love the opportunity to meet you and hear your presentation.

"It was my great pleasure to be a part of it, Cara. It was the message that attracted exactly everyone who was supposed to be there that night. Including me . . . Often when people invite a discussion of books or films concerning this subject, especially Anne’s family, I have to opt out, saying I am still traumatized for having to have read it in high school. Your kind note feels like it brought a bit of closure for me around that, that in some small way I feel Anne and I touched over the span of years . . . . and tears . . . and I feel her whispering that everything is all right. Thank you for your gift, and bless you in your work. I will certainly keep my mind and ears open for other venues for you.In peace."

"From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for making such a wonderful presentation to our students and truly making a difference. You could tell, as the students sat in rapt attention, the impact your words were having. Of course, you will be hearing from many."

"Our school was most fortunate to meet you. On a personal level, I am so thrilled to have met you. You are such a beautiful spirit and I felt such a connection with you immediately! The kids and the teachers loved the presentation and I’m so thankful to you for your generosity. Opening their eyes to such potential; being able to see the positive in such devastation is a tremendous lesson for our teenagers and pre-teens. I’m looking forward to reading your book. By the afternoon, the librarian told me that 3 kids came and asked for your book! Again, thank you Cara for a most inspirational presentation and an opportunity to meet you. We just loved you!!"

Cara, thank you so much for spending your time with us last Friday. The students really enjoyed your Stories presentation, and they couldn’t express enough appreciation for the follow-up workshops. They felt that personal time was very impactful, so thank you again for your flexibility in staying for the whole day. One of our students mentioned that she went to your workshop all three times because she was so moved by your story and just loved your warmth and compassion. Thank you again for your support and willingness to share your wisdom and experiences with our community. We’re getting back on the right track.

Cara, thank you so much for sharing your story and your warm and generous spirit with our students today at Legend. You touched my heart and so many others. Thank you Kara, Lindsey and Amanda for taking this opportunity for your students

"…your speech was very intriguing, and I appreciate you coming to our school to tell us your story. I thought that your story about Anne Frank and Otto Frank was very vivid. I felt as if I were there also, experiencing what they had. I learned from the message in your speech that fear feeds upon fear, and hope can kill fear. This was very interesting, and it was eye-opening the way that your theme was essentially the theme of the Holocaust and World War II itself. I also appreciated the lessons that you shared from Otto Frank. Those lessons about letting go of anger, and learning hope. I think that message, if remembered, can help me live my life, as it has helped you in yours. I greatly appreciate your efforts, both in spreading the themes that come with it. I appreciate the way you, by telling others your story, can change lives, or how people treat their lives, and for that, I thank you most of all…"

"I wanted to thank you for visiting and speaking to our class. It was very interesting and to hear you tell Anne’s story in detail and your relationship with Otto Frank. I loved what you told us about always having hope in our lives and in our world which is disastrous at times. It was lovely hearing about your visit with Otto Frank. It’s crazy to believe that you were actually a good friend of his and his wife. It shows that there really are generous people in the world so when someone does hurt us or makes us feel like there is very little love in this world, we shouldn’t be so cynical as to think that everyone is this way because you’ve proved to me that’s not true. I thank you for that because you’ve changed my view on people. As of the Diary of Anne Frank, it’s an amazing book and you did really well bringing the story back to life and your story and advice had an impact on me. Thank you for the little stone; every time I look at it I will be reminded of the hope that you implanted in me…"

"…even though I have already read the play, your speech provided another point of view. It also had more in depth details. Another part that I enjoyed was how you explained how anger does not matter. This, in a way, is a way of life. I thank you for that. If I can learn to control those emotions, I believe I will become a kinder person. I appreciate that you took the time out of your day to come teach me about Anne Frank and her father; more importantly I would like to thank you for how you set me on the right path to become a better person…"

“Thank you for spending your time explaining the story of Anne Frank. I could clearly see that you where truly passionate about speaking her story, hearing the story from you. Towards the end you helped me understand that every human has a choice and the choice you choose can make all the difference. The rock that you gracefully gave me I dropped to my fountain in the backyard and as I watched the ripples spread further and further, my choice is to make positive decisions in life and be happy.”

Right from the start, in the introduction, I knew this book was going to speak to me. You said that nature has helped you see that being human is a natural thing, and I agree I truly feel the most human outside. Religion and I have had a bumpy relationship over the years but I think we have come to a happy place and Nature has had a lot to do with that. I always struggled with articulating what that Nature/God relationship is and means to me, but your explanation is exactly what I’ve been looking for.

Some of the Nature Teachers’ lessons held more weight than others for me but the lessons of the Nautilus and the Lobster were just what I needed right now. I’ve gone through a lot of different transitions in this past year, with more on the way as I prepare to graduate in May. I don’t know what else to say about them other than that they are extremely relevant to this season of my life and I am so very grateful you so beautifully reminded me of my Strength.

I also particularly loved the quotes from others you included throughout the book. I treasure this book, will reread it as life goes on, and already have plans to make everyone I know give it a look.

"Your presentation on Anne Frank to our Rotary Club today was enthusiastically received. Several members told me after the meeting how much they enjoyed hearing your story and told me both how much they appreciated your message and how professional you are in delivering it. We wholeheartedly recommend your presentation."

"I have been thinking about you all day. I started your book when I returned home yesterday, No wonder why Frank was so interested in corresponding with you, you had the intelligence and insight of a person beyond your years, much like Anne. I must say our Hadassah women have never been so attentive, usually there are some conversations going on, you had this group mesmerized. I was so happy you did well selling books, no one had to be pushed, they were buying multiple copies for their children and grandchildren. I am going to promote you to the other groups, we have a presidents’ meeting once a month, and I will certainly promote what has been the best speaker to date."

"Read your book – Dear Cara: Letters From Otto Frank – it was wonderful, inspiring, warm and extremely well-written. Thank you for giving this book to the world and continuing to spread Anne Frank’s word. I’m sure Otto is watching over you."

"Thank you for your heartfelt presentation and talk about Otto Frank. You manage to take many years of history and condense the information, while not losing the impact and sorrow of our history. I was thinking that I would have liked for my grandchildren to hear this. We have some teens in the congregation who also should hear this. Your presentation was different than just reading a history book."

"This buoyant book changed my life! Cara Wilson, Otto Frank, Anne Frank, and everyone became my family members as each page passed. I felt myself adopting each of them because of the authentic connection between us all. The real and raw communication exchanged between Cara and Otto (father of Anne Frank) secured a sense of vulnerability and humility that I deeply identified with as a young girl developing into womanhood. I could relate to the social, psychological…, physiological, emotional, political, and spiritual journey through history. Their concern and articulation of the issues their societies faced proves history repeats itself when people do not to learn from the past.

"These international pen pals adopted each other in a grandparent-like relationship. What transpires over decades is the most fascinating story of courage, wisdom, strength, and love. The compassion, fortitude, and guidance of Otto provided Cara and the world a role model to adore, propelling us all to a future of enlightenment and humanity. He provides clarity amidst chaos. He elevates us to a higher consciousness when the world seems to be going mad.

"Otto’s vision for the Anne Frank Foundation combined with his hope to amplify his daughter’s legacy, lead the youth to a brighter tomorrow. Cara’s relentless spirit matched Anne’s tenacious vigor, which I am sure provided Otto comfort and familiarity all those years. Each of them share a deep adoration to experience a more peaceful world.

"Survivors of all kinds can find healing in Otto’s words as the sole Holocaust survivor in his immediate family. I am grateful Cara documented his advice in response to actual events, tragedies, and personal moments of growth. Who better to learn from as he overcame the depression of losing his wife and daughters in a concentration camp toward the end of Hitler’s reign?

"What did I get from this book? Be the change. Be yourself. Be brave. Be adaptable. Be practical. Be adventurous. Believe. Parents need to learn their children and know them before it is too late. Be thankful for your freedom and the ability to seek any kind of life you desire. Embrace your spirituality, whether you are Jewish, Catholic, Christian, Pantheist, or any other belief. Live and love fully. Do not let tragedy stop you from planting trees.

"As I finished this read last night on my flight back home from launching a national non-profit organization, called UpLift US, helping homeless survivors and beyond, I gained the confidence to push forward and accept all challenges and successes in this Movement of Kindness. I was also inspired to reach out to a personal heroine of mine. Fingers crossed I get a response. However, if I do not, I will be proud of my “cake of courage”. Luckily, I have already connected with another heroine of mine, Cara Wilson Granat."

"The Diary of Anne Frank is one of the most moving stories ever known to man. Cara Wilson-Granat began corresponding with Anne’s father, Otto Frank, when she was just twelve years old; and thus began a warm relationship of many years that culminated with Cara meeting Otto in person, shortly before his death in 1980 at the age of 91. This relationship enabled Cara to develop a unique insight into this historic family that ultimately resulted in her book Strength from Tragedy, the story of how Otto Frank survived the loss of his wife and two daughters in concentration camps. He was a remarkable man and Strength from Tragedy is a remarkable book. Cara recently spoke to my Rotary Club and told the story of her relationship with Otto, leaving Club members spellbound. I highly recommend her book, and if you ever have a chance to hear Cara speak, go for it."

Here is just what we need when we’re feeling overwhelmed: the voice of a kind, loving wise friend, reconnecting us to wisdom from life’s greatest teacher—nature. Cara reminds us that, in our times of need, inspiration—in the form of everything from rocks to waves, from otters to insects—is all around us, helping us to heal, grow and thrive.