A Poppy Is to Remember

by Heather Patterson, Lightburn, Ron (illustrator)

With soothing words and illustrations aimed specifically at younger readers, children will learn how the bright red poppy became the symbol for honouring those who fought for freedom. The text is simple and is combined with stunning paintings by award winning illustrator Ron Lightburn. The familiar poem, "In Flanders Fields," is included, along with information about the symbolism and history of the poppy and Remembrance Day - all geared towards helping parents and teachers explain the significance of past and present wars and Canada's peacekeeping missions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Picture Books, Canada, Teaching, War

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 2004

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think now more than ever before we need to remember those that have fought for our country so that we could have a better life. It seems as the years pass, we find it easier to forget. With fewer Veterans of World War I and II each year to remind us of their sacrifice, we only give lip service to their memory. We may feel sad when we hear on the news that another Canadian peacekeeper has died serving his or her country but quickly forget as we continue on with our regular routine. Remembrance Day has just become another holiday.

A Poppy Is to Remember reminds the next generation about their Canadian past. It tells the story of the Poppy and of the poem In Flanders Fields. This Remembrance Day, learn the true meaning of the poppy and wear yours with pride.

[Ella K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing read! Definitely, for some people, a tear jerker.

A book for maybe ages 5+. All about war, poppies, why we wear them and "In Flanders Fields" poem.

Definitely suggest this for a class read!

I enjoyed this book very much and have been reading it every year around Remeberence Day, since a couple years ago.

[Brenda]

An amazing book for all ages. easily understood and gives us a great insight into what our soldirs went and go through.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poignant account of the poem 'In Flanders Fields', and of why we wear the poppy each November in remembrance.
Lest we forget.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of this book is in picture book style (about a sentence per page), telling of how the poem In Flanders Field was written (by a Canadian doctor) and that the poppy is used to remember soldiers, veterans, those who were lost in war, those who lost someone in war, and those who supported the war effort.

The back 5 pages gives more detailed information about Dr John McCrae, how the poem inspired the use of the poppy, how the poppy came to signify Remembrance Day, and the Canadian war efforts.

Although it has a STRONG Canadian focus, this book is one to use when teaching the event of Remembrance Day to primary school students. I would use it most effectively with approx ages 8-10, although older students can get more out of the back matter material.

It would need to be supplemented with other titles in countries other than Canada for students to get a more relevant learning experience.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce livre explique pourquoi nous utilisons les coquelicots pour nous souvenir de tous les sacrifices des anciens combattants et de leurs familles. En Amérique, nous voyons les coquelicots être utilisés de cette façon, mais l'histoire derrière cela ne nous est pas si familière. C'était difficile pour moi de lire car mon français est mauvais mais j'ai beaucoup appris. (La lecture de ce livre me rappelle que je parle «bébé français», peut-être un vocabulaire de 8 à 12 mois sans mon dictionnaire. XD)

This book tells why we use poppies to remember all the sacrifices of veterans and their families. In America, we see poppies being used this way, but the story behind it is not that familiar to us. It was hard for me to read because my French is bad but I learned a lot. (Reading this book reminds me that I speak "baby French," maybe an 8 to 12 month old vocabulary without my dictionary. XD)

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book that was originally published in 2004 and is very popular in Canadian schools. It helps to explain Remembrance Day and the symbol of the poppy to the very young.

The words are simple but heartfelt. The book contains the ever-popular poem, "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae who was a Canadian soldier who fought in the First World War. This poem is read at every Remembrance Day ceremony across Canada.

The pictures in the book are by an award-winning illustrator and are bright and crisp.

There are additional notes after the story with much information about the poppy and how Remembrance Day is commemorated in Canada. It's a wonderful book to share with children in a school or home setting to help them understand about the day.

I will wear my poppy with pride and respect.
Lest we forget ✚

[Sue Mosher · Rating 5 out of 5]

At our Bookmobile, we waited a long time for a book on Remembrance Day for young children. (One of our daycare teachers actually wrote and illustrated her own to use in her daycare.) This book is perfect for that.

[Chinook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kait read this at school and she was so excited to see if borrowed it from the library. We’ve read it quite a few times and she has tried reading it herself as well (it’s a bit hard for her, but doable.) Maddie was also interested, because they’d made poppies at school.

[C J · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A beautiful book, perfect for the young or the old. It’s only 30 pages long but it tells the heartfelt story of how the poppy came to symbolize everything Remembrance Day stands for. Lest We Forget.

[Jordan Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent entry point into the significance of Remembrance Day for all ages.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not terrible but definitely not a "fun" book. Read with PreK and they weren't super invested in it. Might choose to read a "peace" book with them next time.

[Monika Kozlowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to teach young and old about poppies and Remembrance Day. Beautiful illustrations

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informatif

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good basic introduction to Remembrance Day.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely rendered book about the symbolism of the poppy from the poem In Flanders Fields. Melancholy and respect.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Softly spellbinding words and illustrations relay the story behind the poem “In Flanders Fields” and the commemorative wearing of poppies. Our girls are mesmerized by this book.

Listen to our chat about this book on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:

http://www.justonemorebook.com/2006/1...

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beauty of this book is in the simplicity of the text and the themes for primary-aged children. The added notes at the end about the history of the use of the poppy and Remembrance Day in Canada make it a great read for slightly older students as well. There is nothing ambiguous about the artwork, but it isn't graphic and is centered upon evoking nostalgia and sympathy.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for preschoolers (ages 0-5) for Remembrance Day. I believe it is important to share what Remembrance Day is all about but in an age appropriate manner; this book does this very well.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of our Remembrance Day reading.

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a nice light read for kids with a good introduction to Remembrance day

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars