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Wear A Purple Poppy
Remembering animals in War
by Fiona White
Illustrated by Kathleen O' Hagan
Published by Lothian Children's Books (Hachette Children's Books)
ISBN
9780734421630
Do you know there is a National Day for War Animals? 24 February each year is the day to commemorate and give thanks to the deeds and sacrifices that animals have made during war. They have been used to transport goods, as protectors, find unexploded bombs, to deliver messages and much more.
We recently saw the work and the sacrifices that horses made in the War was featured in a recent episode of the delightful British tv series, All Creatures Great and Small and now this thoughtful and heartwarming story for ages 6+ is told by Fiona White, a primary school teacher with a lifelong love of horses. The story is sympathetically told while informing young readers about other animals that also work in wars such as camels, mules, elephants and others with illustrations that compliment the story so well.
Clearly explaining the roles of each animal and how they contributed so much it is informative reading. For example the crochety camels and their enormous contributions. While they maybe crochety, the story also tells us why they were so helpful and how their physicality enabled them to do so much and, that they were calm when under fire - a great asset indeed.
The story remembers the dogs and their crucial roles, not only as bomb detectors. Find out about the pigeons which were used to convey messages - this detailed explanation is most interesting and sure to capture the young reader's attention.
Continuing further, reader's will find out how these animals were sent to their destinations, the honours they received and how one dog in Afghanistan was awarded a medal for his bravery and courage and an other in WWI. And what about repatriation of the animals? That's another interesting aspect that is part of this story.
Filled with interesting information in an interesting story it is a good way for kids to learn our history and to respect animals for their contributions made over many years. It is ideal reading for children over 6 years, up to say 10 or so.
I will be looking out for Purple Poppies on 24 February, will you? It is. day of commemoration in Australia and New Zealand, part of our ANZAC spirit.
A Purple Poppy and this book will make a thoughtful gift of knowledge and reading.
The author
Fiona is a primary school teacher with a lifelong love of horses and animals. She lives in the Macedon Ranges with her two badly behaved but extremely lovable dogs. The greatest love of her childhood was her horse Nimbus; a feisty, head shy pony who survived the Ash Wednesday fires and lived to be 35 years old. This is her first book.
The illustrator
Kathleen O'Hagan is an emerging Meeanjin-based artist, educator and arts worker. Her work has been displayed in numerous exhibitions and art prizes across?Australia. Her debut children's book, Colourful Memories , was illustrated in the spare hours during her final year of school. In 2021, she completed a Bachelor of Visual Art (First Class Honours) at the Queensland College of Art and was awarded the University Medal.
