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Anzac Day Parade
On Anzac Day an old man, a former member of the 18th Battalion, and a young boy meet - the young boy wide-eyed and wanting to hear the glories of war and death - the old man quietly sad to remember the reality of what was faced.
- GenresPicture BooksWarHistory
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 11, 2019
This is a solemn story that has heart but also packs a punch with importance. The ANZAC Day parade brings out the young and old, to honour those who fought in the war, those who came home, and those who did not.
The perspective is of a young boy who has attended the parade, whose eye catches an elderly man, a straggler after the ceremony. He asks for him to tell of the glory of the war, what it was like to fight. The answer the man gives is not one filled with glory, but it is one filled with truth and heartache.
There is no violence shown, there is beautiful drawings by Allen as she captures the gravity of Kane’s words. I liked the solemnity that the boy depicts, a contrast from the spark before, not to diminish him, but to show that the conversation with the veteran has had an impact. Understanding of the day.
There is as much emotion in the illustrations as there is in Kane’s simple words. I found myself impacted by Kane's words, as well as Allen’s illustrations. Knowing what ANZAC Day means to Australians and New Zealand and the marches that grow yet diminish each year. The beautiful drawings accompany the powerful words and you can see the tone Allen is conveying. The realistic depictions of the man and boy, as well as the surrounding areas puts you there with them. At the memorial, in front of the list of names. It is a reminder of being at these parades and the meaning they hold.
There is information about a WWII battle in Crete at the back which reminds readers it isn’t just WWI that ANZAC honours. It is every war, every war and battle Australians and New Zealanders fought in. As depressing as it can be to read these stories, I enjoy that there are still so many beautiful ways we can tell the stories of these brave men and women of history. How they are not just names on a wall, not just people who march. They have had a huge impact on our world and to honour them, even in a picture book, is simply wonderful.
A longer version of this review was published on my blog Lost in a Good Book
The perspective is of a young boy who has attended the parade, whose eye catches an elderly man, a straggler after the ceremony. He asks for him to tell of the glory of the war, what it was like to fight. The answer the man gives is not one filled with glory, but it is one filled with truth and heartache.
There is no violence shown, there is beautiful drawings by Allen as she captures the gravity of Kane’s words. I liked the solemnity that the boy depicts, a contrast from the spark before, not to diminish him, but to show that the conversation with the veteran has had an impact. Understanding of the day.
There is as much emotion in the illustrations as there is in Kane’s simple words. I found myself impacted by Kane's words, as well as Allen’s illustrations. Knowing what ANZAC Day means to Australians and New Zealand and the marches that grow yet diminish each year. The beautiful drawings accompany the powerful words and you can see the tone Allen is conveying. The realistic depictions of the man and boy, as well as the surrounding areas puts you there with them. At the memorial, in front of the list of names. It is a reminder of being at these parades and the meaning they hold.
There is information about a WWII battle in Crete at the back which reminds readers it isn’t just WWI that ANZAC honours. It is every war, every war and battle Australians and New Zealanders fought in. As depressing as it can be to read these stories, I enjoy that there are still so many beautiful ways we can tell the stories of these brave men and women of history. How they are not just names on a wall, not just people who march. They have had a huge impact on our world and to honour them, even in a picture book, is simply wonderful.
A longer version of this review was published on my blog Lost in a Good Book
May 21, 2013
Author: Glenda Kane
Illustrator: Lisa Allen
First Published: 2010
"Age won't weary him, he said, but boy, it's wearied me."
A child attends an Anzac Day march, and an old soldier relives the past.
Told in a simple rhyming verse, with poignant washed watercolour pencil illustrations, the narrative gently explores passing the Anzac Day memories onto the next generation. Unusually, the old soldier's memories are of the fighting in Crete with the 18th New Zealand Infantry Battalion, poignant images of soldiers surrendering, letters home to loved ones telling of their loss, and the red poppy.
This isn't the best book. It doesn't tell the story in the best manner.
But it brought us to talking about our history.
It is important.
Crete
My Grandfather was in Crete with the 2/11th (I think) out of WA.
He didn't talk about it.
I know he praised Sandover for ordering them to retreat and escape capture. My Grandad lived. He was not taken as a POW, but nearly many officers and men were killed or captured. He was was aided by locals and ultimately escaped by submarine.
The ignominy of escape as men around them fell was difficult for the men who came back. My Mum says he saw it as necessary - live to fight another day - but they were criticised by superiors.
When all the fighting was over, he sat for his Leaving Certificate. I remember a beautiful map he drew of Crete for Geography. He drew it based on the maps he created during his time there. It was still in his possessions when he died.
Anzac Day
Anzac Day has held a problematic position in Australia. A day to remember those who have fought, and have fallen, it fell into some disrespect post-Vietnam. As the WW1 and WW2 warriors dwindled, the pacifism of the post-Vietnam public, and the multi-faceted issues with the Vietnam Vets marching, saw a interest and attendance decreasing.
But it's coming back.
This year my daughter marched as a cadet, wearing her paternal grandfather's medals. (I understand my Grandad's medals were donated to the Australian War Memorial). We watched her march, and we talked about our family military history. We are making sure the next generation knows what this means, and why it is important to remember.
Age
Read Aloud: 4+
Read Yourself: 6+
(ISBN 9780143504412)
Illustrator: Lisa Allen
First Published: 2010
"Age won't weary him, he said, but boy, it's wearied me."
A child attends an Anzac Day march, and an old soldier relives the past.
Told in a simple rhyming verse, with poignant washed watercolour pencil illustrations, the narrative gently explores passing the Anzac Day memories onto the next generation. Unusually, the old soldier's memories are of the fighting in Crete with the 18th New Zealand Infantry Battalion, poignant images of soldiers surrendering, letters home to loved ones telling of their loss, and the red poppy.
This isn't the best book. It doesn't tell the story in the best manner.
But it brought us to talking about our history.
It is important.
Crete
My Grandfather was in Crete with the 2/11th (I think) out of WA.
He didn't talk about it.
I know he praised Sandover for ordering them to retreat and escape capture. My Grandad lived. He was not taken as a POW, but nearly many officers and men were killed or captured. He was was aided by locals and ultimately escaped by submarine.
The ignominy of escape as men around them fell was difficult for the men who came back. My Mum says he saw it as necessary - live to fight another day - but they were criticised by superiors.
When all the fighting was over, he sat for his Leaving Certificate. I remember a beautiful map he drew of Crete for Geography. He drew it based on the maps he created during his time there. It was still in his possessions when he died.
Anzac Day
Anzac Day has held a problematic position in Australia. A day to remember those who have fought, and have fallen, it fell into some disrespect post-Vietnam. As the WW1 and WW2 warriors dwindled, the pacifism of the post-Vietnam public, and the multi-faceted issues with the Vietnam Vets marching, saw a interest and attendance decreasing.
But it's coming back.
This year my daughter marched as a cadet, wearing her paternal grandfather's medals. (I understand my Grandad's medals were donated to the Australian War Memorial). We watched her march, and we talked about our family military history. We are making sure the next generation knows what this means, and why it is important to remember.
Age
Read Aloud: 4+
Read Yourself: 6+
(ISBN 9780143504412)
February 12, 2012
This book would be more for children from year 3 up.
April 24, 2012
A beautiful book to make even quite young children think about Anzac Day and the meaning of war. HIGHLY recommended.
April 20, 2014
This text really looks at the negative memories associated with the war and those affected. An easy read, almost in rhyme.
August 29, 2016
The last illustration gave me goosebumps. This is a dense picture books, lots of figurative language, strong themes, beautiful illustrations.
July 5, 2019
Anzac Day Parade is a poignant story that encourages a reflection on the sadness that comes with war. The young boy in the story is a relatable character to young students, as they may only see the glories of war and not the sadness and horrors that it brings. Students can learn from this story that going to war is not a fun adventure and there are many horrific things that war veterans, and those who died, have seen. This book is more suitable for 8-12 year olds as the story requires a lot of critical thinking and reflection to completely understand the sadness that the war veteran conveys to the young boy.
Literary techniques used in this book include rhyme and rhythm. The use of rhyme generally follows the ABAB rhyming pattern, but there are some sections where there is a slight variation to this pattern. Along with the rhyme, there is a rhythm to telling the story as it is written like a poem. The rhythm is not as obvious as it is in other books that use rhythm, so the story could either be told with rhythm or in a way that does not have distinct rhythm. This second approach to telling the story means that it could be told more slowly, allowing students to critically reflect on what is being described in the text and in the illustrations.
Allen's illustrations have been put together beautifully and can be critically analysed by students. For example, there is one illustration of a landscape and faintly overlapping this is a portrayal of young soldiers celebrating heading off to war. There are other circumstances where there is an overlapping over the landscape, showing either soldiers walking with their arms in the air or planes in the sky. These illustrations reflect the past that the old man remembers, and he can still see these images because the memories of war have stayed with him. Through critically analysing the illustrations along with the text, students should develop an understanding of what war really is and how it still affects people today.
Literary techniques used in this book include rhyme and rhythm. The use of rhyme generally follows the ABAB rhyming pattern, but there are some sections where there is a slight variation to this pattern. Along with the rhyme, there is a rhythm to telling the story as it is written like a poem. The rhythm is not as obvious as it is in other books that use rhythm, so the story could either be told with rhythm or in a way that does not have distinct rhythm. This second approach to telling the story means that it could be told more slowly, allowing students to critically reflect on what is being described in the text and in the illustrations.
Allen's illustrations have been put together beautifully and can be critically analysed by students. For example, there is one illustration of a landscape and faintly overlapping this is a portrayal of young soldiers celebrating heading off to war. There are other circumstances where there is an overlapping over the landscape, showing either soldiers walking with their arms in the air or planes in the sky. These illustrations reflect the past that the old man remembers, and he can still see these images because the memories of war have stayed with him. Through critically analysing the illustrations along with the text, students should develop an understanding of what war really is and how it still affects people today.
Read
March 9, 2022Interesting to see an Anzac Day-themed book about New Zealand.
It’s also interesting to see the book is about a veteran who fought in Crete in the Second World War, as I have spent a lot of time there and have visited some of the sites of the battle and the evacuation.
The artwork is layered, so that there seem to be ghosts of past wars (and WW2 specifically) hovering over them both in the present. It’s an evocative way to illustrate a story about people who died long before the boy was born.
I especially liked the boy looking at the empty wall at the memorial.
Some of the story was in rhyme and some wasn’t, which I found a bit odd. With the rhyme, the meter wasn’t really working in some spots, so I gave up trying to read it as a rhyming book.
There’s a mention of the old veteran going to the RSL for “a glass to drown his sorrows”, which seemed a bit too grown up for a picture book.
An interesting way to introduce history to children, but it had a few issues.
It’s also interesting to see the book is about a veteran who fought in Crete in the Second World War, as I have spent a lot of time there and have visited some of the sites of the battle and the evacuation.
The artwork is layered, so that there seem to be ghosts of past wars (and WW2 specifically) hovering over them both in the present. It’s an evocative way to illustrate a story about people who died long before the boy was born.
I especially liked the boy looking at the empty wall at the memorial.
Some of the story was in rhyme and some wasn’t, which I found a bit odd. With the rhyme, the meter wasn’t really working in some spots, so I gave up trying to read it as a rhyming book.
There’s a mention of the old veteran going to the RSL for “a glass to drown his sorrows”, which seemed a bit too grown up for a picture book.
An interesting way to introduce history to children, but it had a few issues.
May 21, 2025
I read this book every year close to Anzac Day to the children in the child care centre i work at and to my son. it gets the kids talking and asking questions about the Veteran's and War's and my favourite question what is a RSL? the Returned & Services League of Australia
October 10, 2022
Quite a sober read with some lovely art.
April 11, 2025
‘On Anzac Day an old man, a former member of the 18th Battalion, and a young boy meet – the young boy wide-eyed and wanting to hear the glories of war and death – the old man quietly sad to remember the reality of what was faced.’
I adored this book.
As someone who grew up in Australia and also has an interest in Australian Military history, as soon as I saw this book I knew I had to have it. I went into this book with high hopes and I am happy to say it not only lived up to my high expectations, it well and truly surpassed them.
Growing up in Australia, ANZAC Day is something you know about your entire life but most kids don’t start actually learning about it until primary school. This book is aimed at younger readers and is the perfect way to explain ANZAC Day to children who haven’t yet to start school but have questions about ANZAC Day.
This beautiful book tells the ANZAC Day via a conversation between a Veteran and a child. The story is both beautiful and heartfelt and perfect for young readers and their families. In addition to the story being told this book is filled with stunning illustrations that bring the story to life.
Illustrator Lisa Allen captures the narrative of this book perfectly. The illustrations bring the story to life in a way that is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. The combination of story and images allows young readers to both see and hear this important story about ANZAC Day.
Glenda Kane has done a truly wonderful job with this book. Having to story told via a conversation was a fantastic idea for a topic like this. The way in which Glenda Kane used this narrative choice to inform young readers about a topic that could be very overwhelming made for a really moving reading experience.
ANZAC Day Parade by Glenda Kane is a must-have for all Australian homes.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
I adored this book.
As someone who grew up in Australia and also has an interest in Australian Military history, as soon as I saw this book I knew I had to have it. I went into this book with high hopes and I am happy to say it not only lived up to my high expectations, it well and truly surpassed them.
Growing up in Australia, ANZAC Day is something you know about your entire life but most kids don’t start actually learning about it until primary school. This book is aimed at younger readers and is the perfect way to explain ANZAC Day to children who haven’t yet to start school but have questions about ANZAC Day.
This beautiful book tells the ANZAC Day via a conversation between a Veteran and a child. The story is both beautiful and heartfelt and perfect for young readers and their families. In addition to the story being told this book is filled with stunning illustrations that bring the story to life.
Illustrator Lisa Allen captures the narrative of this book perfectly. The illustrations bring the story to life in a way that is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. The combination of story and images allows young readers to both see and hear this important story about ANZAC Day.
Glenda Kane has done a truly wonderful job with this book. Having to story told via a conversation was a fantastic idea for a topic like this. The way in which Glenda Kane used this narrative choice to inform young readers about a topic that could be very overwhelming made for a really moving reading experience.
ANZAC Day Parade by Glenda Kane is a must-have for all Australian homes.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews