ROLY the Anzac Donkey, by Glyn Harper illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Puffin)
If you've read 'Simpson and his Donkey' you'll know about an Australian soldier's work rescuing the wounded with the aid of his donkey in Gallipoli. It's a gorgeous tale and now considered a classic. There have been several versions - the latest being Mark Greenwood's book published by Walker Books in 2009. Over the years I had heard that New Zealand stretcher bearers used donkeys too. Military Historian Glyn Harper has uncovered one of those stories and we now have a true New Zealand story about a soldier and his donkey.
Glyn tells the story in Roly, the donkey's voice. On the opening page we're introduced to Roly and he tells us he hasn't always worked on a farm (shown in the background illustrations), he once worked in Gallipoli helping rescue soldiers who had been hurt in battle. Glyn most likely started the story this way to reassure young children - the donkey makes it. This will help sensitive children not feel anxious for the donkey while they're listening to the story being read to them. It's a gentle opening for the story. It's needed because the following pages jump into a hard time for the donkey.
Through words and pictures we find out that Roly grew up on a Greek farm until English soldiers captured and loaded him onto a ship destined for Gallipoli. Unfortunately for Roly his first driver was cruel. He made Rory work long hours carrying heavy loads, gave him little food and water, and beat him. One day Roly escaped but returns when he's hungry and misses the other donkeys. On his journey back he meets a man who changes his life for the better.
Glyn does not try to romanticise Rory's work in Gallipoli. He carries soldiers whose blood sometimes trickles down his back, and they have to run for it when there is fire charging back and forth. It's important children grow up realising war is not one big adventure and shooting guns is fun. But juxtaposed with this realistic story are the warm illustrations that show the love between animal and human. If you've owned a dog you'd recognise the look that Rory shows for Richard - it's utter adoration, and Jenny Cooper has captured it so expertly.
Rory and Richard's heart warming tale, Glyn's excellent storytelling abilities, and Jenny's stunning illustrations make this a winner for children (and adults). It's a story that won't just come out during ANZAC celebrations, it will be read all year round. Highly recommended for home, school and public libraries.
ISBN: 9780143506638 RRP $19.99
Other Glyn Harper ANZAC stories illustrated by Jenny Cooper you will also want to read are:
Le Quesnoy: The Story of the Town New Zealand Saved (Puffin)
Jim's Letters (Puffin)
Other ANZAC stories:
The ANZAC Puppy by Peter Millett, illustrated by Trish Bowles (Scholastic)
The Red Poppy by David Hill, illustrated by Fifi Colston (Scholastic)
Caesar the ANZAC Dog by Patricia Stroud, illustrated by Bruce Potter (Scholastic)
ANZAC Day - The New Zealand Story by Philippa Werry (New Holland)
Best Mates by Philippa Werry, illustrated by Bob Kerr (New Holland)
The Last ANZAC by Gordon Winch, illustrated by Harriet Bailey
Meet the ANZACs by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Max Berry (Random House)
Meet Werry Dunlop by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jeremy Lord (Random House)
Best Mates by Philippa Werry and Bob Kerr, New Holland
It’s in picture book format but it’s definitely aimed at school children - the publishers say 5 to 12, which I think is about right. It’s not suitable for pre-schoolers. As for fiction or non-fiction, it is fiction strongly based on fact. As a librarian, I would see it being of most use to teachers and students in the non-fiction collection.Philippa is well-known for her excellent historical novels - this is her first picture book story. It’s a simple but moving account of three friends signing up and going off to have a big adventure - and ending up at Gallipoli. One of them doesn’t make it home. Much later, two elderly gentlemen travel to Turkey to lay poppies on Harry’s grave.
Illustrator Bob Kerr is well-known for his picture book work, especially his award-winning After the War published by Mallinson Rendel in 2000. (I kept my review copy, because in those days there were hardly any children’s books with war as a theme). Bob has visited Gallipoli, so his rendition of the jagged and desolate landscape is a true one. His calm and uncluttered style works well with the understated tone of the story. The events must speak for themselves. At the back of the book there’s a double spread with factual information about the Anzacs at Gallipoli, as well as a map and photos. Strongly recommended for school and public libraries.
Philippa Werry recently travelled to Gallipoli to participate in centenary celebrations - read her blog here. For Teaching Notes go here. For more war books go here. ISBN 978 1 86966 411 4 $19.99 Pb Reviewed by Lorraine Orman
An African Scrapbook written by Cherryl Burger (self published)
Cherryl has written a picture book story about her experiences of growing up in Kruger National Park. Throughout the book are stories about adventures she had such as meeting an angry elephant while on the road at dark, Hollywood crew filming crocodiles, being trapped in a rondawel with a green mamba snake, lunch with baboons, chasing off hippos, meeting buffalo bull on a fishing trip, and a black mambo on a driving trip. Interspersed throughout the book are facts about the animals mentioned in the stories. There's also a history of Kruger National Park page and an excellent map to show where the park is in South Africa.
The design work of this book is its stand-out feature. PinkSoda (name of designer on back of book) has used sepia photographs, artwork and aged paper features to create a stunning scrapbook-look for the book. Children will spend ages looking at all the different photographs, which are most likely the author's own photographs. (In the credits she does thank Sue Musto and Memories of Africa - some of the photographs may have come from this source.) Illustrator Candice Case has drawn sketches of some of the animals (some of which I'm not sure are photographs or sketches).
The author says this is the first book in this series. Children whose parents originally came from Africa, kids who like to know about other countries and schools will find this a treasure to read. I'd like to see in the next book a front title page, and a page at the end drawing the book to a close. Go to the webpage: www.anafricanscrapbook.com to find out more information and order your copy of the book. The author is donating $3 from the sale of each book to Starship Foundation; raising funds for the national children's hospital.
ISBN: 978-0-473-15000-6 RRP $30 including postage.
Order the book here: [email protected]
Read Waikato Times article about the book and author here.http://www.waikatoindependent.co.nz/2012/08/book-african-tales-benefits-starship/8786/
Reviewed by Maria Gill
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But before you go! As a member of the Nonfiction Picture Book Panel,
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Great review!! Thanks for being on the committee.
It was my pleasure :)
Hi Kara --<br /><br />Thank you so much. I can't tell you how excited I am :)
Congratulations,Barbara, and thank YOU for writing such a great book!
What a wonderful review. It was so nice to work with you as a judge. The panel when by all too quickly this year.