A rich history lies behind the meaning of Anzac Day - it is a very important day in the New Zealand calendar. This book has information that is not found in any of the other publications suitable for upper primary to lower secondary: memorials, letters from soldiers, photos, oldest veterans, the Turkish viewpoint, political background - because the author has sourced material from contributors and places not drawn on before. It also covers our traditions for commemorating the day each year on the 25th of April - the order of the service, why we wear poppies, where Anzac biscuits come from. It contains website references and a list of ideas for further exploration of this topic.
This was one of several books that I have been reading with Miss 5 as part of a teaching unit about ANZAC Day. What we liked about the book is that, although it is aimed at much older kids, there is a wealth of visual information presented in different ways. There are maps, paintings, photos, infographics; we were able to pause and talk more about the parts that interested her (like the nurses, the stamps, the Lone Pine, the different ways people have remembered over the years, and the origins behind anzac biscuits).
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.