Author AJ Toledo describes true scenarios from World War One through former generations of her own family and great-uncles, one of whom fought and died aged 27.
It’s a book primary and intermediate schoolchildren should read and include in their Anzac Day school projects and studies.
Toledo sets a factual tone and uses plain language appropriate for the eight-to-12 age group and, without forcing emotion on the reader, her great-uncles’ truthful war memoirs evoke sombre after-thought.
Including a map of Gallipoli, readers can clearly visualise and follow where Anzac soldiers landed and fought.
Complete with an Anzac timeline and authentic wartime photos, this short all-encompassing educational story is a must for any Kiwi child learning about the New Zealand and Australian alliance.
Retracing the Anzac soldiers’ steps from the moment they set sail from New Zealand, to landing in Egypt and training near Cairo, they are pictured in front of the Sphinx and pyramids at Giza. Through text and photos the book follows on with the Anzacs’ journey – arriving in Gallipoli and fighting in the Chunuk Bair battle.
The chronological battle tales of travel, loss, tactics, horror and honour are gripping.
The last few pages conclude why New Zealanders and others around the world wear the poppy, and explain the starting point and creation of the now symbolic war flower, which originated from France.
Toledo has respectfully shared her family’s Great War experiences as a commendable educational piece.
