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Reflection: Remembering Those Who Serve In War
Left! Left! Left! Right! Left! We make our way in the dark. A family journeys through the early morning darkness... A group of young men huddle in a cold muddy trench...
Reflection is a powerful tribute to those who have served their country.
Reflection is a powerful tribute to those who have served their country.
- GenresPicture BooksWar
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2016
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 23, 2016
A poignant book that evokes the somber reality behind an ANZAC dawn service.
April 3, 2024
Sharpe-Shelberg Collection #3
Beautiful tribute to those who served and died in war, with a visual emphasis towards WWI
A good book.
Beautiful tribute to those who served and died in war, with a visual emphasis towards WWI
A good book.
April 28, 2016
Reflection: Remembering Those Who Serve In War is a beautiful, and educational, reminder of why we have ANZAC services and Remembrance Day tributes. By contrasting a family attending an ANZAC Day service with Australian soldiers serving throughout various wars, Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg and illustrator Robin Cowcher has created a stark, but poignant reminder of what the word ANZAC means today.
I'm going to start by saying this is a beautiful book. Not only is Robin Cowcher's illustrations aesthetically pleasing to look at it, but the beautiful illustrations combined with Shelberg's succinct text has created a picture book with heart, body and soul. This book is going to be around for a long time yet.
Shelberg's narrative is simple in it's delivery, but powerful in what it achieves. In barely any words at all, Shelberg takes the reader on a journey through time and space allowing readers to put their own ANZAC day traditions and experiences alongside those serving in each war. By using such basic and uncomplicated text, Shelberg has managed to create a heartfelt narrative that appeals to all ages, while also standing two completely different experiences side by side.
While Shelberg's text might be basic but succinct, it's Cowcher's illustrations that fill the gap and really pull the two halves and experiences of those involved together. Through her images we are able to bear witness to a number of wars that the Australian and New Zealand soldiers have fought in, and are still serving in today. What's more, the focus on no one war in particular, the reader is able to see what war is like today compared to that of a hundred years before. A point not often shown in ANZAC books, and one I'm grateful to see included today.
At the back of this book, Shelberg and Cowcher have included a double page spread explaining their reasons and inspiration for the book; For Shelberg, the idea for the story was inspired by an ANZAC service she attended one year, and she wrote the book specifically with her then 4 year old niece in mind. However it's the ten slightly larger thumbnails that take up most of the double page's space. Here, each od the book's double page illustrations is explained, taking the reader through the various wars represented. I love that Shelberg and Cowcher chose to include the mini history lessons with information provided on the following ten wars that the ANZAC's fought in (and how many Australian and New Zealand soldiers were lost): South African 'Boer' War (1899-1902) to World War I (1914-1918) and II (1939-1945), Korean War (1950-1953), Vietnam War (1954-1975), Iraq (1990-1991), Bosnia & Herzegovina (1993-2003), East Timor (1999-2012), Afghanistan (2001 -present) and Iraq (2001-2009).
Reflection: Remembering Those Who Serve In War is not only a perfect picture book, it's an educational tool that will be around for a long time to come. It is the perfect book to add to a child's growing library, and a fantastic resource for teachers and parents alike to explain who the ANZACs are and what wars Australia has been involved in.
This review was originally posted over at The Never Ending Bookshelf and can be found here: http://wp.me/p3yY1u-TT
I'm going to start by saying this is a beautiful book. Not only is Robin Cowcher's illustrations aesthetically pleasing to look at it, but the beautiful illustrations combined with Shelberg's succinct text has created a picture book with heart, body and soul. This book is going to be around for a long time yet.
Shelberg's narrative is simple in it's delivery, but powerful in what it achieves. In barely any words at all, Shelberg takes the reader on a journey through time and space allowing readers to put their own ANZAC day traditions and experiences alongside those serving in each war. By using such basic and uncomplicated text, Shelberg has managed to create a heartfelt narrative that appeals to all ages, while also standing two completely different experiences side by side.
While Shelberg's text might be basic but succinct, it's Cowcher's illustrations that fill the gap and really pull the two halves and experiences of those involved together. Through her images we are able to bear witness to a number of wars that the Australian and New Zealand soldiers have fought in, and are still serving in today. What's more, the focus on no one war in particular, the reader is able to see what war is like today compared to that of a hundred years before. A point not often shown in ANZAC books, and one I'm grateful to see included today.
At the back of this book, Shelberg and Cowcher have included a double page spread explaining their reasons and inspiration for the book; For Shelberg, the idea for the story was inspired by an ANZAC service she attended one year, and she wrote the book specifically with her then 4 year old niece in mind. However it's the ten slightly larger thumbnails that take up most of the double page's space. Here, each od the book's double page illustrations is explained, taking the reader through the various wars represented. I love that Shelberg and Cowcher chose to include the mini history lessons with information provided on the following ten wars that the ANZAC's fought in (and how many Australian and New Zealand soldiers were lost): South African 'Boer' War (1899-1902) to World War I (1914-1918) and II (1939-1945), Korean War (1950-1953), Vietnam War (1954-1975), Iraq (1990-1991), Bosnia & Herzegovina (1993-2003), East Timor (1999-2012), Afghanistan (2001 -present) and Iraq (2001-2009).
Reflection: Remembering Those Who Serve In War is not only a perfect picture book, it's an educational tool that will be around for a long time to come. It is the perfect book to add to a child's growing library, and a fantastic resource for teachers and parents alike to explain who the ANZACs are and what wars Australia has been involved in.
This review was originally posted over at The Never Ending Bookshelf and can be found here: http://wp.me/p3yY1u-TT
August 10, 2016
An interesting book where each set of 2 pages are related in theme but not in time. It covers a range of wars that NZ people have fought in and what people do during anzac day events that relate to what happened in the wars. It's a lovely book to bring up wars and Anzac day and why we have this special day. A NZ author.
June 10, 2016
Dark, evocative images illustrate the parallels between the ANZAC dawn service and elements of military service. Useful for primary and lower secondary students of history, or as a cultural introduction for newcomers to Australia.
September 19, 2016
One of the best books I have seen for remembering those who served in any war. Brief text and poignant illustrations taking the reader from the Boer War to the Second Gulf War. Quite quite beautiful.
April 12, 2016
the perfect ANZAC picture book for young children
March 30, 2017
Reflections is a war story very simply told. Each double page has a one sentence story that relates to what is happening across both pages - one page reflects a scene from war; it's facing page reflects a modern image of memorial.
The book begins with the Boer War and moves through WWI, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and IraqII.
The final double page spread includes a brief information box about each of the wars that Australians have fought in overseas.
I have also included a comprehensive list of children's books about war in this post.
Full review here - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com.au/20...
The book begins with the Boer War and moves through WWI, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and IraqII.
The final double page spread includes a brief information box about each of the wars that Australians have fought in overseas.
I have also included a comprehensive list of children's books about war in this post.
Full review here - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com.au/20...
April 16, 2017
It’s hard not to be drawn to Reflections: Remembering Those Who Serve in War. The khaki colouring, fine- line etching, and splashes of poppy-red watercolours bleeding into the cover immediately conjure up images of Anzac and beg you to open the pages.
Sparse but carefully chosen emotive text accompanies you on a Dawn Parade where you not only remember those who have been affected by war, but are also reminded of the varied and valuable roles of military personnel who act as peacekeepers, protectors, and providers of aid.
As a mass of feet march along the first few pages there are subtle changes in the illustration, which gradually transform everyday footwear to soldiers boots and horse hooves; scattered leaves are replaced with earth ground to mud by the constant movement. A closer look reveals small children clinging to adults. As the pages progress, detailed etchings begin to reveal ethereal hints of geographical locations, ethnic groups and recognisable historical and present day conflicts.
The author’s and illustrator’s notes at the rear of the book reveal the depth of research that has gone into portraying this familiar event, transforming it into an invaluable teaching resource.
Short, specific details for the South African Boer War (1899-1902), World War I (1914-1918), World War II (1939-1945,) Korean War (1950-1953), Vietnam War (1954-1975), East Timor (1999-1012), Iraq: The first Gulf War (1990-1991), Afghanistan (2001-Present), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995-
2003), and Iraq: The Second Gulf War (2003-2009) tell us a little about the cause, the numbers of Australians and New Zealanders involved, and lives loss.
Individual illustrations are ideally suited for use as isolated discussions. The story-telling is mesmerising, and the illustrations constantly reveal new details hidden in the images.
Reviewed by Angie Belcher (Bookrapt)
Sparse but carefully chosen emotive text accompanies you on a Dawn Parade where you not only remember those who have been affected by war, but are also reminded of the varied and valuable roles of military personnel who act as peacekeepers, protectors, and providers of aid.
As a mass of feet march along the first few pages there are subtle changes in the illustration, which gradually transform everyday footwear to soldiers boots and horse hooves; scattered leaves are replaced with earth ground to mud by the constant movement. A closer look reveals small children clinging to adults. As the pages progress, detailed etchings begin to reveal ethereal hints of geographical locations, ethnic groups and recognisable historical and present day conflicts.
The author’s and illustrator’s notes at the rear of the book reveal the depth of research that has gone into portraying this familiar event, transforming it into an invaluable teaching resource.
Short, specific details for the South African Boer War (1899-1902), World War I (1914-1918), World War II (1939-1945,) Korean War (1950-1953), Vietnam War (1954-1975), East Timor (1999-1012), Iraq: The first Gulf War (1990-1991), Afghanistan (2001-Present), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995-
2003), and Iraq: The Second Gulf War (2003-2009) tell us a little about the cause, the numbers of Australians and New Zealanders involved, and lives loss.
Individual illustrations are ideally suited for use as isolated discussions. The story-telling is mesmerising, and the illustrations constantly reveal new details hidden in the images.
Reviewed by Angie Belcher (Bookrapt)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews