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Lest We Forget
Timed for the centenary of the Gallipoli landing, this powerful story about a boy and his grandfather will help even the very young understand the significance of ANZAC Day. 'My granddad says there are two types of days: those you want to remember and those you want to forget.' A young boy visits his granddad and thinks about the important days in his life: his first day of school, playing soccer with his team, the day his baby sister was born. Yet through the illustrations the reader sees a parallel story of the grandfather's experiences at war: wearing his brand-new soldier's uniform, with his fellow diggers in the field, looking at a photo of the baby he's never met. With illustrations from two extraordinary new talents, Isobel Knowles and Benjamin Portas, this powerful story from author Kerry Brown will help even young children understand the significance and importance of our national days of remembrance.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Brown
5 books2 followersFrom the author's website:
"Kerry Brown grew up in Carnarvon, a coastal country town in Western Australia. Her childhood was typical of most children of that time, playing endlessly outside with her friends and spending holidays at the family ‘shack’ near the Blowholes.
Her imagination worked overtime as she made new discoveries and invented new games behind the sand dunes with her friends.
This imagination may have lay dormant for a few years but never strayed far, and was reignited soon after the birth of her two children, who continue to be her biggest inspiration.
Kerry is a qualified primary teacher with a Masters Degree in Education. She has had the privilege to work along side some of the best imaginations in the country - the children she has taught!
Kerry's excitement and passion for children's literature is extended beyond the classroom and into her picture books. She is dedicated to developing early literature skills in children and enjoys helping children tap into their own magical worlds and words!
Beyond her teaching and writing, Kerry presents interactive workshops for both children and adults, as well as inservice seminars to educators and parents."
"Kerry Brown grew up in Carnarvon, a coastal country town in Western Australia. Her childhood was typical of most children of that time, playing endlessly outside with her friends and spending holidays at the family ‘shack’ near the Blowholes.
Her imagination worked overtime as she made new discoveries and invented new games behind the sand dunes with her friends.
This imagination may have lay dormant for a few years but never strayed far, and was reignited soon after the birth of her two children, who continue to be her biggest inspiration.
Kerry is a qualified primary teacher with a Masters Degree in Education. She has had the privilege to work along side some of the best imaginations in the country - the children she has taught!
Kerry's excitement and passion for children's literature is extended beyond the classroom and into her picture books. She is dedicated to developing early literature skills in children and enjoys helping children tap into their own magical worlds and words!
Beyond her teaching and writing, Kerry presents interactive workshops for both children and adults, as well as inservice seminars to educators and parents."
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 4, 2016
I quickly read this one at work today as it came into our library for a patron. I found it exceptionally moving, two stories beautifully weaved together. The imagery was lovely too.
February 17, 2015
I've always looked for the right book to introduce my children to the story behind ANZAC day and this book is the perfect one to do that with.
The illustrations are beautiful. The story is easy to understand and easy for us parents to control in the "war" parts. We get to know what the young boy would like to remember and like to forget - such things that are deemed "simple" and almost "irrelevant" when compared to what the soldiers and families of those soldiers suffered through. But when you don't live through those times, the things we want to forget about are important to us and to our kids. So instead of thinking them as "irrelevant" you look at them as comparisons - from a child's perspective. Children hold dear to them things that we don't anymore. They live a more simple life than we do. They would rather forget that mum "burnt the roast" and "had to walk all the way to school" one day because that's their life - and it's portrayed fantastically in this book. And when you come across the parts about the soldiers and the war, there are no words. As the reader, you have total control over what you tell your children, however much or however little and however you would think they would understand. It's perfect.
I've read it to my 5 year old son a coupld of times now and he's liked it every time. He's asked questions about the soldiers. He's listened to why his wife is crying after receiving a telegram. He paid attention. And even though he might not understand the full extent of the story, he understood that ANZAC day is for remembering those we lost in the war.
The illustrations are beautiful. The story is easy to understand and easy for us parents to control in the "war" parts. We get to know what the young boy would like to remember and like to forget - such things that are deemed "simple" and almost "irrelevant" when compared to what the soldiers and families of those soldiers suffered through. But when you don't live through those times, the things we want to forget about are important to us and to our kids. So instead of thinking them as "irrelevant" you look at them as comparisons - from a child's perspective. Children hold dear to them things that we don't anymore. They live a more simple life than we do. They would rather forget that mum "burnt the roast" and "had to walk all the way to school" one day because that's their life - and it's portrayed fantastically in this book. And when you come across the parts about the soldiers and the war, there are no words. As the reader, you have total control over what you tell your children, however much or however little and however you would think they would understand. It's perfect.
I've read it to my 5 year old son a coupld of times now and he's liked it every time. He's asked questions about the soldiers. He's listened to why his wife is crying after receiving a telegram. He paid attention. And even though he might not understand the full extent of the story, he understood that ANZAC day is for remembering those we lost in the war.
February 23, 2018
good juxtoposition. sad. good representation of war
December 30, 2015
Lest We Forget is a beautiful ANZAC story to help kids and adults of all ages to understand the importance and significance of the ANZAC's sacrifices 100 years ago and even today. It's a fantastic century anniversary reminder of why ANZAC day is still so important to celebrate today.
"My Granddad says there are two types of days:
those you want to remember
and those you want to forget."
Presented in a white hardback picture book, the narrative is told from the dual experience of a little boy's Grandfather's experience in the war and his (the boy's) current life in the world as it is today. It's interesting to note however, that as far as narration goes, the story is told through the young boy's words and experiences, which Kerry Brown has cleverly chosen to represent both today and the harsh reality of war when combined with the illustrator's contrasting and darked depictions of the Granddad's story. Fort example, the young boy remembers the excitement and trepidation of his first day of school:
I remember my first day of school. I had a brand -new uniform and Mum polished my shoes until I could see my face in them.
Which Isobel Knowles and Benjamin Portas have teamed up with the appropriate school shoes and uniformed pictures for the boy and his mum and lots of white, empty space. But when you turn to the next full double page spread, Knowles and Portas have full page illustrations of what one can only assume is Granddad when he first dressed in his uniform and left to join the army. As well as using darker colours of the uniforms, and the surrounds, the two images here are boxed in by a dark brown-green border. So through the use of the narrative the pair are showing similar events, but at extreme opposites of the happiness scale.
Another clever aspect of the story is the absence of names. By not naming the Granddad, Mum or the child narrating the story, the narrative is left wide open for the reader to slip themselves in the story, and thus provokes similar memories of your own. What's more the constant contrast of what the modern day generation and kids know life to be like Vs. the experiences of the brave young men and women known as the ANZACs and later the Diggers proves to be a more subtle way to introduce (and reinforce to older kids) just what exactly ANZAC DAY is all about and why it is important to remember even the darker, less inviting memories from our nations past.
As a whole Lest We Forget is cleverly written in a dual layered narrative, celebrating all that we have achieved in the 100 years since the war, while remembering those brave acts that the ANZACS and the Diggers carried out so that we could live the lives we do today. It's a heartfelt reminder to everyone in the annual ANZAC DAY debate, that we need to remember what happened in the past, even if it is something we'd prefer, or is easier, to simply forget.
"My Granddad says there are two types of days:
those you want to remember
and those you want to forget."
Presented in a white hardback picture book, the narrative is told from the dual experience of a little boy's Grandfather's experience in the war and his (the boy's) current life in the world as it is today. It's interesting to note however, that as far as narration goes, the story is told through the young boy's words and experiences, which Kerry Brown has cleverly chosen to represent both today and the harsh reality of war when combined with the illustrator's contrasting and darked depictions of the Granddad's story. Fort example, the young boy remembers the excitement and trepidation of his first day of school:
I remember my first day of school. I had a brand -new uniform and Mum polished my shoes until I could see my face in them.
Which Isobel Knowles and Benjamin Portas have teamed up with the appropriate school shoes and uniformed pictures for the boy and his mum and lots of white, empty space. But when you turn to the next full double page spread, Knowles and Portas have full page illustrations of what one can only assume is Granddad when he first dressed in his uniform and left to join the army. As well as using darker colours of the uniforms, and the surrounds, the two images here are boxed in by a dark brown-green border. So through the use of the narrative the pair are showing similar events, but at extreme opposites of the happiness scale.
Another clever aspect of the story is the absence of names. By not naming the Granddad, Mum or the child narrating the story, the narrative is left wide open for the reader to slip themselves in the story, and thus provokes similar memories of your own. What's more the constant contrast of what the modern day generation and kids know life to be like Vs. the experiences of the brave young men and women known as the ANZACs and later the Diggers proves to be a more subtle way to introduce (and reinforce to older kids) just what exactly ANZAC DAY is all about and why it is important to remember even the darker, less inviting memories from our nations past.
As a whole Lest We Forget is cleverly written in a dual layered narrative, celebrating all that we have achieved in the 100 years since the war, while remembering those brave acts that the ANZACS and the Diggers carried out so that we could live the lives we do today. It's a heartfelt reminder to everyone in the annual ANZAC DAY debate, that we need to remember what happened in the past, even if it is something we'd prefer, or is easier, to simply forget.
August 15, 2015
First I will declare my conflict of interest. I do not know the author personally but I have been a guest in her mother's house. Her mother is my best buddy's neighbour. There - that's over and done with. My best buddy, Loani, Queen of the Tea Cosies, recommended this book to me yonks ago and our library finally added it to their collection. It was with great excitement that I got to read it earlier this month.
Lest we Forget is a picture book about Anzac Day aimed at the very young. My first thought was how does one even begin a discussion of what Anzac Day means with the very young? Why would we even want to trouble their tiny minds with the horrors of war? Well that would be forgetting just what tiny minds are capable of - compassion, feeling, emotions, understanding, growth, love - the list goes on. Simply told and simply illustrated, this is a powerful conversation starter. The best kind of story. A story for sharing with the ones you love the most. Well done Kerry! I hope I get to meet you one day in person and tell you how much I loved your book.
Lest we Forget is a picture book about Anzac Day aimed at the very young. My first thought was how does one even begin a discussion of what Anzac Day means with the very young? Why would we even want to trouble their tiny minds with the horrors of war? Well that would be forgetting just what tiny minds are capable of - compassion, feeling, emotions, understanding, growth, love - the list goes on. Simply told and simply illustrated, this is a powerful conversation starter. The best kind of story. A story for sharing with the ones you love the most. Well done Kerry! I hope I get to meet you one day in person and tell you how much I loved your book.
April 10, 2016
Wow.
This book is the perfect book for introducing kids and adults to what ANZAC Day is and why it is so important. With the right mixture of fun and seriousness this book really hit me at the end and got me to the verge of tears. It's absolutely gorgeous and I'd recommend it to everyone looking for an ANZAC book.
This book is the perfect book for introducing kids and adults to what ANZAC Day is and why it is so important. With the right mixture of fun and seriousness this book really hit me at the end and got me to the verge of tears. It's absolutely gorgeous and I'd recommend it to everyone looking for an ANZAC book.
November 13, 2018
A lovely gentle and clever juxtaposition of times and life events that brings two generations neatly together whilst highlighting the need to acknowledge and remember the past in order to embrace the future.
April 25, 2020
Story 📖
This is a story of a boy hearing about the war through the eyes of his grandfather. The boy lists some of the things that have occurred in his life including starting school, the birth of a baby sister and the loss of a pet.
Each of these events are contrasted in the illustrations to a time in the war where his grandfather had experienced something similar and demonstrating how different the experiences were.
Summary 📖
I think this is another amazing book exploring the horror of war in a format that is appropriate for younger readers.
You do not see any gore or horror but you see through the grandfather’s eyes as a young man, the emotional toll that the war had on him and his experiences.
Suggestion 📖
I think as educators it is important for us to discuss historical events in a way that children understand and for the age group I work with (early childhood) I think this book is an exemplary option to discuss with children in a respectful and authentic way.
This book is recommended for young readers aged 3-6 years.
📖
September 28, 2021
This book compares the little boy's thoughts about the big days in his life and his Grandfather's thoughts of his biggest days. The illustrators' different styles reflect the different thoughts.
The boy was scared about going to school, his grandfather was scared about going to war. The little boy liked being in a football team and looking after his friends. The old man remembered how his friends in the war looked after each other. The Grandfathers memories were darker pictures.
The importance of remembering the sad days is important. Especially Anzac Day 25th April and Remembrance Day November 11th. It's important for little boys to learn what their grandfathers days are like now and what they were like in the past.
The boy was scared about going to school, his grandfather was scared about going to war. The little boy liked being in a football team and looking after his friends. The old man remembered how his friends in the war looked after each other. The Grandfathers memories were darker pictures.
The importance of remembering the sad days is important. Especially Anzac Day 25th April and Remembrance Day November 11th. It's important for little boys to learn what their grandfathers days are like now and what they were like in the past.
June 19, 2018
I loved how this book brought today's struggles into perspective from the struggles of war.
My kids really understood this about the book.
For example a child complains that he must walk to school in the heat with a heavy school bag.
The following pages are very detailed illustrations of a 3 soldiers carrying a very wounded soldier through thick and heavy scrub in heavy rain with very heavy back packs.
The girls asked questions and also told us how they felt when they were reading this.
They were very engaged with this book.
This book send a clear message about the importance of remembering and not forgetting our soldiers.
We all loved this book!
My kids really understood this about the book.
For example a child complains that he must walk to school in the heat with a heavy school bag.
The following pages are very detailed illustrations of a 3 soldiers carrying a very wounded soldier through thick and heavy scrub in heavy rain with very heavy back packs.
The girls asked questions and also told us how they felt when they were reading this.
They were very engaged with this book.
This book send a clear message about the importance of remembering and not forgetting our soldiers.
We all loved this book!
June 5, 2022
Lest We Forget is a child's picture book about ANZAC day and Rememberance day. It is the story of a little boy who remembers some big days in his life such as being scared on his first day at school and having to eat Vegemite sandwiches for dinner because their meal was burnt.
Every other pages is about how his Granddad coped in similar circumstances eg his first day in the army, and having nothing to eat except ANZAC biscuits.
It is a beautifully presented story that needs to be introduced to all children.
Every other pages is about how his Granddad coped in similar circumstances eg his first day in the army, and having nothing to eat except ANZAC biscuits.
It is a beautifully presented story that needs to be introduced to all children.
April 29, 2018
Powerful book with two stories released for Anzac Day and the centenary of the Gallipoli landing this was a great red and made the simple yet effective point of days to remember and days to forget, and why some days need to be remembered.
I don't go berserk on Anzac day as someone others tend to do with all of their memorials but it is good to remember and this is a helpful book for young people to do that.
I don't go berserk on Anzac day as someone others tend to do with all of their memorials but it is good to remember and this is a helpful book for young people to do that.
October 1, 2020
Purchase Lest We Forget here for just $7!
This heartwarming picture book helps to build understandings between the younger and older generations. Giving an avenue for children to relate to the experiences of older family members who served in the First and Second World Wars.
Nerida - The Book Grocer
This heartwarming picture book helps to build understandings between the younger and older generations. Giving an avenue for children to relate to the experiences of older family members who served in the First and Second World Wars.
Nerida - The Book Grocer
March 18, 2019
Walked through Kmart and spotted this little gem. I don’t have kids yet, but I made sure to buy this book so I could read it to my future babies. The future generation needs to know the importance of those dates and this book is perfect for the little ones.
March 27, 2019
From the first time I opened it in the shops it made me emotional, reading the whole thing at home I had tears. Beautifully done.
September 29, 2022
Seeing the parallels were pretty cool ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2023
The young narrator's loves his Granddad who's early years experienced war. The young boy reminisces about days to remember and days to forget, (as grandfather noted): the day dad got a flat tire and the day the dog died. Alternating pages show images of Granddad's experiences in war.
When visiting Granddad, the boy tells stories of his life, and Granddad tells his stories as well, and when the boy asks if important dates, April 25 and November 11, are days to forget, Granddad says, "No, these are days to remember...Lest we forget." A quick Veteran's Day read aloud.
When visiting Granddad, the boy tells stories of his life, and Granddad tells his stories as well, and when the boy asks if important dates, April 25 and November 11, are days to forget, Granddad says, "No, these are days to remember...Lest we forget." A quick Veteran's Day read aloud.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews