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And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda
The iconic song about the Battle of Gallipoli, written by Eric Bogle in 1972 at the height of the anti-war movement, re-imagined by esteemed children's illustrator Bruce Whatley.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 13, 2019
Another song, this time the anti-war song written in 1972, put on paper, with illustrations, and they are by Bruce Whatley. Together this is a great book, and very moving. A good read, and really you can't read it but sing it! (especially the chorus)
February 11, 2018
I adore this song - it’s a real tear-jerker. Being an Aussie, I am only too familiar with the Gallipoli story, and it has always deeply saddened me. This song, accompanied with these beautiful illustrations, is enough to leave any person awed and provides solid food for thought. I loved this, it was wonderful.
March 25, 2018
TOOK ME A WHILE TO FINISH BUT I WAS NOT IN THE ZONE...
A Beautifully crafted children's book that still manages to convey the horrors of war without being too graphic. The exquisite images complement the somewhat poetic ( songful ) words and the confusion in some images emphasises the mass losses and the slain men seemingly becoming one with the landscape, resting in eternal peace among the Turkish shores. No wonder it won an award and some of the images as stated by the author are based on real wartime photographs, I recognised one in my study of WW1 in Senior Modern History as victims of Mustard/Poisonous Gas attacks. It also incorporates the story with one of the nation's most renowned and beloved ballads. I never realised the real meaning behind it till now ( especially the ghosts)
The soldier's fate of being a quadriplegic, an injured and changed man haunted by pictures of the battlefields was sadly one of the abundant realities of billions of men. That makes the author's dedication even more sentiment as one of the book's last words "But as year follows year, more old men disappear. Someday no one will march there at all"
This really gives you a newfound perspective and appreciation of those if you've ever been lucky enough to witness them march on ANZAC Day.
Definitely deserves a place on every household's bookshelf. The last lines of the blurb couldn't ring more true; "A timely story for every generation to share"
A Beautifully crafted children's book that still manages to convey the horrors of war without being too graphic. The exquisite images complement the somewhat poetic ( songful ) words and the confusion in some images emphasises the mass losses and the slain men seemingly becoming one with the landscape, resting in eternal peace among the Turkish shores. No wonder it won an award and some of the images as stated by the author are based on real wartime photographs, I recognised one in my study of WW1 in Senior Modern History as victims of Mustard/Poisonous Gas attacks. It also incorporates the story with one of the nation's most renowned and beloved ballads. I never realised the real meaning behind it till now ( especially the ghosts)
The soldier's fate of being a quadriplegic, an injured and changed man haunted by pictures of the battlefields was sadly one of the abundant realities of billions of men. That makes the author's dedication even more sentiment as one of the book's last words "But as year follows year, more old men disappear. Someday no one will march there at all"
This really gives you a newfound perspective and appreciation of those if you've ever been lucky enough to witness them march on ANZAC Day.
Definitely deserves a place on every household's bookshelf. The last lines of the blurb couldn't ring more true; "A timely story for every generation to share"
October 12, 2019
A moving book about those who went to war, to the strains of Waltzing Matilda. And those who returned, without their mates. Well supported by excellent art.
March 31, 2023
Most people die, again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
The sadness & futility of war.
October 26, 2025
Quite simply one of the greatest songs ever written.
August 10, 2016
Our classroom read 'And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda' and found it incredibly moving. The class wrote their own reviews in celebration of this book being shortlisted for the The Children's Book of the Year Awards. These students are in grades 3 and 4. Find their reviews below.
Nathan
5/5
It made me learned about war back then that you had to get seen to war
Kurt
I give the book 5/5, but I think was upsetting because it tells us about all the people that died and could not make it out alive. I wish all those people didn't have to get forced to join war.
Khia
I give this book a 5/5
Charlee
5/5 This book taught me about the army.
Wil
I gave this book 5/5 because it reminded me how sad Gallipoli was.
I leaned that when they got wounded they went back to Australia.
I learned that turkey had 2 times the amount of deaths as Australia had.
Matilda
I give the book 4/5, but I think was upsetting.
Eliza
I give this book 5/5 because it was very interesting
I found the whole book emotional and shocking.
This book helped me understand how all the people back in the day, felt about the war.
I loved the way the language was how they actually talk back then.
Harry
5/5
I like the illustrations. It's not clear, like lots of lines.
It taught me that ‘shells’ –in the text- means bombs not seashells.
This book helped me understand how sad Gallipoli was.
Alice C
I really like the book, but I don't like the song, because it reminds me of my granddad, who unfortunately he passed away when I was in prep (which was 4 years ago). He didn't go to the war, but his dad got blown up. That's why I am sad. Even though granddad died 4 years ago, I still dream that he comes back. He died from cancer. Also I give this book a 4/5 because it made me sad and made me appreciate what everyone who went to war did. So thank you everyone.
Emily
I give this book 4/5 because it was really sad, but I also liked it because it reminds people what all the army soldiers did for us. It was really touching and it probably reminded loads of people about their own family. Before reading this book, I had no idea that so many people were injured and killed and I hope that one-day we will have no more wars.
Amber
I give the book a 4/5 rating, because it is really sad but it also tells and shows me what it was like in the war in those days.
I loved the illustrations, because it makes me wonder even more about war in those days.
I found the book shocking to me, because I never realised how terrible the war was in those days until I read the book.
The book helped me understand what the war was like and about Waltzing Matilda, and how they got forced to fight for their countries.
The book taught me to respect and be grateful that they fought for our country.
This book made me want to explore more about the war.
Before reading the book, I had no idea how they felt.
I hope there will be no more wars and each country stop turning against each other.
Charlie
I give this book 4/5 because there are sad parts, but sad in a good way.
I liked this book because I learnt what a shell was in war, it was a bomb. I liked the language like ‘flip my ass over my head’. Now I have a better understanding about war now.
Curtis
I give this book 4/5 because it was sad.
Before reading this book, I didn't know that shells were bombs.
The most moving part of the book was when the Turkish blew them to hell.
Tarra
5/5 the best part of the book was when it showed the song ‘Waltzing Matilda’ on the end of the book. I learned what ‘head over arse’ means and what shells are in the war.
Emily K
I give this book a 5/5 because it taught me what the difference is to a beach shell and a shell as in bomb.
So now I understand the story a bit more.
Ruby
The book made me remember the story about my great, great grandfather went to World War 1 and died in the war. I learned what shells –in the war- means. I give the book a 5/5.
Joseph
5/5
This book is really sad to think about the book. It's sad to hear about what happened to the soldiers that died in the war in World War 1. The war was sad and hearing about it can make you cry.
Malakye
5/5
This book really helped me, because I wanted to learn about the war. It was sad hearing about the soldiers that died. This is a very sad story, but I'm glad I read it, because it helped me understand more. I wonder why they had to go to war? Why couldn't they just live peacefully?
Nathan
5/5
It made me learned about war back then that you had to get seen to war
Kurt
I give the book 5/5, but I think was upsetting because it tells us about all the people that died and could not make it out alive. I wish all those people didn't have to get forced to join war.
Khia
I give this book a 5/5
Charlee
5/5 This book taught me about the army.
Wil
I gave this book 5/5 because it reminded me how sad Gallipoli was.
I leaned that when they got wounded they went back to Australia.
I learned that turkey had 2 times the amount of deaths as Australia had.
Matilda
I give the book 4/5, but I think was upsetting.
Eliza
I give this book 5/5 because it was very interesting
I found the whole book emotional and shocking.
This book helped me understand how all the people back in the day, felt about the war.
I loved the way the language was how they actually talk back then.
Harry
5/5
I like the illustrations. It's not clear, like lots of lines.
It taught me that ‘shells’ –in the text- means bombs not seashells.
This book helped me understand how sad Gallipoli was.
Alice C
I really like the book, but I don't like the song, because it reminds me of my granddad, who unfortunately he passed away when I was in prep (which was 4 years ago). He didn't go to the war, but his dad got blown up. That's why I am sad. Even though granddad died 4 years ago, I still dream that he comes back. He died from cancer. Also I give this book a 4/5 because it made me sad and made me appreciate what everyone who went to war did. So thank you everyone.
Emily
I give this book 4/5 because it was really sad, but I also liked it because it reminds people what all the army soldiers did for us. It was really touching and it probably reminded loads of people about their own family. Before reading this book, I had no idea that so many people were injured and killed and I hope that one-day we will have no more wars.
Amber
I give the book a 4/5 rating, because it is really sad but it also tells and shows me what it was like in the war in those days.
I loved the illustrations, because it makes me wonder even more about war in those days.
I found the book shocking to me, because I never realised how terrible the war was in those days until I read the book.
The book helped me understand what the war was like and about Waltzing Matilda, and how they got forced to fight for their countries.
The book taught me to respect and be grateful that they fought for our country.
This book made me want to explore more about the war.
Before reading the book, I had no idea how they felt.
I hope there will be no more wars and each country stop turning against each other.
Charlie
I give this book 4/5 because there are sad parts, but sad in a good way.
I liked this book because I learnt what a shell was in war, it was a bomb. I liked the language like ‘flip my ass over my head’. Now I have a better understanding about war now.
Curtis
I give this book 4/5 because it was sad.
Before reading this book, I didn't know that shells were bombs.
The most moving part of the book was when the Turkish blew them to hell.
Tarra
5/5 the best part of the book was when it showed the song ‘Waltzing Matilda’ on the end of the book. I learned what ‘head over arse’ means and what shells are in the war.
Emily K
I give this book a 5/5 because it taught me what the difference is to a beach shell and a shell as in bomb.
So now I understand the story a bit more.
Ruby
The book made me remember the story about my great, great grandfather went to World War 1 and died in the war. I learned what shells –in the war- means. I give the book a 5/5.
Joseph
5/5
This book is really sad to think about the book. It's sad to hear about what happened to the soldiers that died in the war in World War 1. The war was sad and hearing about it can make you cry.
Malakye
5/5
This book really helped me, because I wanted to learn about the war. It was sad hearing about the soldiers that died. This is a very sad story, but I'm glad I read it, because it helped me understand more. I wonder why they had to go to war? Why couldn't they just live peacefully?
April 7, 2025
“‘But the band played ‘Waltzing Matilda’ when we stopped to bury our slain. We buried ours, and the Turks buried theirs; then we started all over again’.
Eric Bogle’s famous and familiar Australian song about the Battle of Gallipoli, written by Eric Bogle in 1972 at the height of the anti-war movement, explores the futility of war with haunting power. Now re-imagined by esteemed children’s illustrator Bruce Whatley with evocative illustrations that bring a heart-rending sense of reality to the tale.
A timely story for every generation to share.”
I adored this book.
This book is an illustration of Eric Bogle’s iconic song about Gallipoli. Bruce Whatley’s heartbreaking illustrations expertly bring to life Eric Bogle’s haunting lyrics about the futility of war. The horror, heartbreak, and despair that Eric Bogle’s lyrics demonstrate are perfectly captured by Bruce Whatley’s deeply emotive illustrations.
These iconic song lyrics and heartbreaking illustrations are perfectly matched to create an extremely emotional reading and learning experience. I was overwhelmed by the emotion captured by combining this song with illustrations.
I honestly believe this book should be a staple in Australian primary schools, especially around ANZAC Day. This book and the moving story it tells need to be taught to young Australians as well as be persevered for future generations.
I am so glad that I have this beautiful book on my shelves I have already read it many times and I know I will be re-reading it many times in the future.
And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle is a must-have for all Australian homes.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Eric Bogle’s famous and familiar Australian song about the Battle of Gallipoli, written by Eric Bogle in 1972 at the height of the anti-war movement, explores the futility of war with haunting power. Now re-imagined by esteemed children’s illustrator Bruce Whatley with evocative illustrations that bring a heart-rending sense of reality to the tale.
A timely story for every generation to share.”
I adored this book.
This book is an illustration of Eric Bogle’s iconic song about Gallipoli. Bruce Whatley’s heartbreaking illustrations expertly bring to life Eric Bogle’s haunting lyrics about the futility of war. The horror, heartbreak, and despair that Eric Bogle’s lyrics demonstrate are perfectly captured by Bruce Whatley’s deeply emotive illustrations.
These iconic song lyrics and heartbreaking illustrations are perfectly matched to create an extremely emotional reading and learning experience. I was overwhelmed by the emotion captured by combining this song with illustrations.
I honestly believe this book should be a staple in Australian primary schools, especially around ANZAC Day. This book and the moving story it tells need to be taught to young Australians as well as be persevered for future generations.
I am so glad that I have this beautiful book on my shelves I have already read it many times and I know I will be re-reading it many times in the future.
And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle is a must-have for all Australian homes.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
March 13, 2015
This anti-war message was written as a song in response to events that were happening in Australia at the time of the Vietnam War. The lyrics were inspired by an ANZAC Day march in ht early 70's. Eric Bogle thought the message would be best served if it related to a campaign that everyone is very familiar with.
As a picture book it is well crafted. The detail and loving attention given to the illustrations, drawn by Bruce Whatley, accompanying the text maintain the sense of waste and despair of a young man who has returned from the war, severely wounded and unable to return to his old much-loved life as a drover.
It is interesting that the last part of the song, that suggests that the example of the old diggers marching as a commemoration to those who fought, would not be followed by new generations, has turned out to be just the opposite.
As a picture book it is well crafted. The detail and loving attention given to the illustrations, drawn by Bruce Whatley, accompanying the text maintain the sense of waste and despair of a young man who has returned from the war, severely wounded and unable to return to his old much-loved life as a drover.
It is interesting that the last part of the song, that suggests that the example of the old diggers marching as a commemoration to those who fought, would not be followed by new generations, has turned out to be just the opposite.
May 17, 2015
When I saw this book I had to get it. By combining the lyrics with illustrations it is a very inventive way to introduce some darker themes to readers. It isn't violent or graphic in any way, but the themes of war and loss and dying are very obvious.
The artwork is very stark, with a limited colour palette, that adds a sense of age and weight to the meaning conveyed.
Super fast to get through, and though it may not be to everyone's taste, I'd recommend you try it.
The artwork is very stark, with a limited colour palette, that adds a sense of age and weight to the meaning conveyed.
Super fast to get through, and though it may not be to everyone's taste, I'd recommend you try it.
November 12, 2015
I have to admit to only reading half this book. I was reading it to my sons. The pictures are beautiful by the way. But then I wanted them to hear the song, so found it on Youtube and the listened to it. They were very moved by the song and I asked them if they wanted me to read the rest of the book ...'No, it is too sad' they said and then they had a few questions about war, ANZAC Day and more. The end is just so harrowing, as he says 'there are somethings worse than dying'.
June 24, 2016
4.5 Stars
Beautiful words and illustrations.
For some reason, I read this book with a partial Scottish accent in my head. Strong, proud with a touch of melancholy.
Listen to Sean Connery reading of Ithaca by C.P.Cavafy to put you in the same mood.
Beautiful words and illustrations.
For some reason, I read this book with a partial Scottish accent in my head. Strong, proud with a touch of melancholy.
Listen to Sean Connery reading of Ithaca by C.P.Cavafy to put you in the same mood.
April 13, 2015
Some of the best lyrics ever written are beautifully illustrated here and combine to portray the horrors of war and specifically, the Gallipoli Campaign. It is haunting and will bring a tear to your eye while the artwork is simply perfect. Not just a must-read but a must-own book for all ages.
July 30, 2016
The words we know....
The five stars are more for the illustrations by Bruce Whatley........which combined with the words will make you cry.
(Short listed for The Children's Book Council of Australia awards 2016)
The five stars are more for the illustrations by Bruce Whatley........which combined with the words will make you cry.
(Short listed for The Children's Book Council of Australia awards 2016)
January 9, 2017
Rating for illustrations as text is a well known song from the 70s.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews