Selecting and using picture books for Anzac Day

How can we use picture books connected to Anzac Day?

Anzac Day is a uniquely Australian (and New Zealand) commemoration of those who lost their lives in military and peacekeeping operations in which Australia has been involved. We have a rich range of literature to assist children with understanding its origins, significance and evolution over time. Great literature on the topic ranges from novels for older students to an incredible range of picture books written by some of Australia’s greatest authors and illustrators with a child audience in mind.

A topic like war can be seen as confronting for children but literature is an effective way to introduce and discuss aspects and events which, unfortunately, are evident not only part of our history but current context. Picture books are commonly shared around the time of Anzac Day each year, but there is much potential to work with these rich texts beyond just shared reading.

Many well-known Anzac Day picture books can be considered fiction or inspired by true events, or non-fiction depending on their genre, subject matter and language features. Often these books include or draw upon secondary historical sources while some can include primary sources such as diaries, letters, photographs, art works and newspapers. Drawing attention to the context of texts is a powerful way to make links between English and History.

Picture books can be used to supplement Anzac Day practices as well as a deep exploration of related themes and concepts. A range of historical concepts can be explored including:

• continuity and change
• cause and effect
• significance
• perspectives
• empathy
• contestability

(ACARA, 2015 and NESA 2013)

By carefully reading and selecting picture books we can introduce students to Anzac Day through sensitive stories appropriate for their age and background. Considering the historical concepts above can be a helpful lens for thinking about how to approach the ideas and representations in the texts. For younger students, these books might focus on remembrance and the significance of the Anzac Day march as well as the sacrifices and memories of both individuals and their families. Older students might consider specific war time conflicts and their impact on identity and history, bravery and honour in war of particular individuals, the consequences of war, differing perspectives around similar events as well as symbolism as a way to represent challenging concepts. Regardless, often the same book/s can be used across age groups but with an emphasis on different themes and historical concepts.

Instead of sharing one book, it is useful to select a range of books that will not only serve to commemorate Anzac Day but also provide opportunities for deeper engagement. In this way a sequence of learning can be designed around a topic, theme or historical concept. Here is an extensive list of picture books on the topic of Anzac Day. However, a list of potential texts can be overwhelming so here are some text combinations or ‘trios’ that might be useful for forming the basis of a learning sequence.

ANZAC / Gallipoli

One Minute’s Silence by David Metzenthen and Michael Camilleri (2019, Allen & Unwin)

Gallipoli by Kerry Greenwood and Annie White (2016, Scholastic)

Meet the ANZACS by Claire Saxby and Max Berry (2015, Random House)

Families and remembrance

This Old Thing by Cassandra Webb and Tony Flowers (2022, Omnibus)

A Poppy for Pa by Rebecca Laing Zammit and Annelies Billeter (2020, Little Steps)

Lest We Forget by Kerry Brown, Isobel Knowles and Benjamin Portas (2019, Harper Colins)

Anzac Day march

My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day by Catriona Hoy and Ben Wood Johnson (2006, Hachette)

Reflection: Remembering Those Who Serve in War by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg and Robin Cowcher (2016, Walker Books)

A Poppy for Pa by Rebecca Laing Zammit and Annelies Billeter (2020, Little Steps)

Hope

The Happiness Box: A wartime book of hope by Mark Greenwood and Andrew McLean (2022, Walker Books)

The Anzac Billy by Claire Saxby, Mark Jackson and Heather Potter (2019, Walker Books)

Never Forget by Clare Hallifax and Simon O'Carrigan (2020, Omnibus)

Heroism, bravery and sacrifice

Charlie's Swim by Edith Wright and Charmaine Ledden-Lewis (2022, Magabala Books)

Rachel's War: The Story of an Australian WWI Nurse by Mark Wilson (2021, Hatchette)

Never Forget by Clare Hallifax and Simon O'Carrigan (2020, Omnibus)

Women in war

The Flying Angel by Vicki Bennett and Tull Suwannakit (2021, Scholastic)

Rachel's War: The Story of an Australian WWI Nurse by Mark Wilson (2021, Hatchette)

Anzac Girl: The War Diaries of Alice Ross-King by Kate Simpson and Jess Racklyeft (2020, Allen & Unwin)

First Nations perspective

Charlie's Swim by Edith Wright and Charmaine Ledden-Lewis (2022, Magabala Books)

Alfred’s War by Rachel Bin Salleh and Samantha Fry (2018, Magabala Books)

Dreaming Soldiers by Catherine Bauer and Shane McGrath (2018, Big Sky)

Differing perspectives

Reflection: Remembering Those Who Serve in War by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg and Robin Cowcher (2016, Walker Books)

Lest We Forget by Kerry Brown, Isobel Knowles and Benjamin Portas (2019, Harper Colins)

Photographs in the Mud by Dianne Wolfer and Brian Harrison- Lever (2007, Freemantle)

Symbolism

Lone Pine by Susie Brown, Margaret Warner and Sebastian Ciaffaglione (2012, Little Hare)

The Anzac Tree by Christina Booth (2017, Scholastic)

Memorial by Gary Crew and Shaun Tan (2016, Hachette)

Animals in war

Smoky No Ordinary War Dog by Nigel Allsopp and Danielle Winicki (2019, New Holland)

Flapper, VC by Mark Wilson (2017, Lothian)

Roly, the ANZAC Donkey by Glyn Harper and Jenny Cooper (2015, Penguin)

Based on songs

I was Only Nineteen by John Schumann and Craig Smith (2019, Allen & Unwin)

Along the Road to Gundagai by Jack O'Hagan and Andrew McLean (2019, Omnibus)

And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle and Bruce Whatley (2015, Allen & Unwin)

Historical figures

Meet Weary Dunlop by Claire Saxby and Jeremy Lord (2017, Random House)

The Last ANZAC by Gordon Winch and Harriet Bailey (2016, New Frontier)

Simpson and His Donkey by Mark Greenwood and Frane Lessac (2011, Walker Books)

Wars across time

The Anzac Tree by Christina Booth (2017, Scholastic)

When the War is Over by Jackie French and Anne Spudvilas (2021, HarperCollins)

A Day to Remember by Jackie French and Mark Wilson (2014, Harper Collins)

Finally, Australia has amazing authors and illustrators of children’s books. Some are responsible for many books about Anzac Day and Australian involvement in war in general. This also provides an opportunity for author and illustrator studies. Those such as Claire Saxby, Mark Wilson and Mark Greenwood could be a focus for investigating not only their books but also their motivation and processes.

As already mentioned, any texts should be read several times before use and considered in relation to the age, needs and backgrounds of students as well as a focus for the design of learning. Once texts have been selected, explore tips and discussion questions  for interacting with picture books related to Anzac Day. For a range of other resources join the FREE Resource Centre. 

References

ACARA (2015) F-6/7 Humanities and Social Sciences - Concepts for developing historical thinking. Australian Curriculum. https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/humanities-and-social-sciences/hass/structure/  

NESA (2013) Historical Concepts and Skills. Board of Studies NSW. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learning-areas/hsie/history-k-10/historical-concepts-and-skills