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Memorial
A Moreton Bay Fig tree, planted as a memorial to Australian soldiers killed in World War I, is slated to be cut down by the local council. A young boy tells the moving story of the tree, as related by his great grandfather, grandfather, and father, each of whom has participated in wars over the years. Interweaving themes of war, memory, and conservation, this book blends a...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
June 11th 2004
by Simply Read Books
(first published 1999)
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Feb 09, 2012
Nicole
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Australians firstly, but all people need to be reminded of the sacrifice of their soldiers
Shelves:
childrens-books,
historical
Despite having come across Gary Crew's work previously, I must confess it was Shaun Tan's involvement that made me pick this book up off the shelves. The marriage of the two of them in producing this is what ensured I did not replace it at the shop but left, rather guiltily feeling that I should not be spending money on children's books when there were so many other important things I needed. Each time I read it there is confirmation that I did the right thing.
In Australia, each generation has b...more
In Australia, each generation has b...more
As this review is primarily for 50books_poc, it's going to focus on the illustrations by Shaun Tan. Having said that, the story (comments by three generations of a family on the importance of the Moreton Bay Fig that forms part of the town's war memorial, now threatened by 'progress') is stunning, and raises multiple issues/discussion points that my small group at the Hebrew Scriptures intensive I did recently had a great deal of fun discussing.
The illustrations, though - oh, the illustrations....more
I love finding books new to me in the library, and to find another book illustrated by Shaun Tan is a marvelous surprise. Here is a beauty of a book, filled with Tan’s gorgeous painting/collages of different wars in America, spoken about through the memories of a young boy, his great-grandfather, grandfather and father. The problem discussed is the town tree, planted long ago after World War I, but now uprooting a permanent statue, obstructing the view of traffic, and taking up too much space. Y...more
This artistic and beautifully told story allows students to approach a dialogue about memorials-- why do we have them, what is their purpose, how do they differ? Each character has a different relationship to the memorial which can be examined in studying criticisms and support of the Vietnam Memorial if studying that particular war. Students can compare and contrast memorials, discuss what they say about a national conscious of war and collective memory. Students may also use it in order to do...more
Shaun Tan prompted me to check Memorial out (Tales from Suburbia and The Arrival). The illustrations (naturally) don't disappoint. But the overaching story is what leaves me reeling. Ironically, I read this on the eve of Memorial Day weekend. Younger generations threaten to chop down the tree planted three generations ago in memory of the soldiers returning from war. This tale masterfully weaves the story of three generations living with the beloved tree, and the power of memories despite the ph...more
Jan 27, 2013
Kel
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Australians, Ex-Service personnel, Artists, Historians
A beautiful collaboration between Gary Crew (author) and Shaun Tan (artist), centered around the planting, growth and eventual destruction of a Morton Bay Fig tree, planted in memorial of those lost in World War One. The story spans generations and wars, in a captivating format of drawn photos merging with faces, paintings and timelines, of seedlings and flying bugs, the words and pictures a stunning memorial of the fallen and gives an honest glimpse of what ANZAC Day means to many Australians.
F...more
F...more
It's hard not to love a book by Gary Crew and Shaun Tan! Both are fabulous, and together they are fantastic. This book from 1999 looks back to the end of the First World War in 1918. Returning soldiers plant a tree in the town square. The tree grows into an impressive memorial, too impressive, the roots start being a problem in the eyes of the local council, and it's future is under a cloud. Tan's beautiful, moving illustrations add so much to Gary Crew's story. An impressive read for the older...more
This is a touching tribute to the small-town war memorial.
It represents what was a very small window of opportunity for a young boy to hear and understand the stories of his great-grandfather (World War I), grandfather (World War II) and father (Vietnam War) centred around their return from war and the celebrations that occured at the war memorial. With just one World War I survivor still with us in Australia the opportunity for a real-life version of this story is just about gone...
Shaun Tan...more
It represents what was a very small window of opportunity for a young boy to hear and understand the stories of his great-grandfather (World War I), grandfather (World War II) and father (Vietnam War) centred around their return from war and the celebrations that occured at the war memorial. With just one World War I survivor still with us in Australia the opportunity for a real-life version of this story is just about gone...
Shaun Tan...more
Memorial by Gary Crew, illustrated by Shaun Tan – Beautiful celebration of memories and reflection, life and war. I was quite excited to read this book and enjoy more brilliant beautiful illustrations of Shaun Tan. I was excited to share Shaun Tan’s work with my son, even though it is quite a sad story. We watched a promotion of The Lost Thing online to prepare ourselves.
Simple story about a boy learning about the importance of a local war memorial. His grandfather teaches him about his time as a soldier in World War I. When city officials want to tear the momument down, the family argues for its preservation. Shaun Tan illustrations are gorgeous.
Remembering the importance of war memorials. Or memorials of any kind, actually.
Again this demonstrates the sheer versatility of Shaun Tan as an artist. Gary Crew's story of the life and death of a fig tree planted to commemorate World War I is illustrated in soft greys and yellows by Tan and is narrated through multiple viewpoints at different stages of the fig tree's growth. It's a metaphor for the way men have been cut down in war and yet continue to live on in memories.
An excellent example of Shaun Tan's range of artistic styles, also touching in its subject matter. I definitely find his artistry to be the most compelling thing about his collaborations with other authors.
May 20, 2013
Masyaka
marked it as to-read
May 08, 2013
patmarli1
marked it as to-read
Apr 17, 2013
Danielle
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Apr 15, 2013
Kellee
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Apr 09, 2013
Elise Bogaards
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Mar 26, 2013
Tara
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Mar 24, 2013
sweet peas
marked it as to-read
Mar 12, 2013
Abjelic
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Mar 09, 2013
Vikki
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Dr Gary Crew, author of novels, short stories and picture books for older children and young adults began his writing career in 1985, when he was a high school teacher. His books are challenging and intriguing, often based on non-fiction. As well as writing fiction, Gary is a Associate Professor in Creative Writing, Children's and Adult Literature, at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensla...more
More about Gary Crew...
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