Armistice Day: The New Zealand Story
By
Philippa Werry
Published
by New Holland
PB
$24.99
“Armistice Day … remains a time to
reflect on the sacrifices made by those who died in war, and those whose
sufferings continued long after war ended. It is a chance to think about the
meaning of victory and peace, and what it means to remember or to forget.” –
Philippa Werry
As
centenary commemorations for World War I continue, Armistice Day presents an
invaluable resource to assist children in their comprehension of war, its
aftermath, the establishment of the United Nations, and New Zealand’s role in
international peacekeeping operations.
Philippa
Werry uses the same thorough research that has made her companion title, Anzac
Day: The New Zealand Story, such a success (7,000 copies sold since
publication) and draws on a fascinating collection of illustrations,
photographs and text to provide a gripping, moving description of how the war
ended in Europe, and what awaited returning troops. Kiwi soldiers came home to
a terrible influenza epidemic, as the population grieved for the loss of life.
Philippa
relays the enormous efforts families went to in order to try and travel to
Europe to visit the battlefields and discover where their loved ones were
buried. The creation of mass cemeteries and peace memorials are also detailed.
The
book concludes with a description of how Armistice Day is marked every year at
the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, here and overseas,
and provides suggestions for children, their families and teachers on how they
can commemorate the event, and celebrate and help work towards world peace.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Former
librarian Philippa Werry is a well-known children’s writer whose non-fiction,
poetry, stories and plays have been widely published, and also broadcast on
National Radio.
She has written several other books for children on the subject
of war, including Anzac Day: the New Zealand story, shortlisted for the New
Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults, and Best Mates,
illustrated by Bob Kerr.
New Holland also published her Waitangi Day: The New
Zealand story.
Philippa lives in Wellington and visits schools around the
country as part of the Writers in Schools programme.
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