After the War Was over

by Michael Foreman

A sequel to the author's popular War Boy continues his story into the postwar years that marked the rebuilding of Britain and evinces such images as potatoes baked in victory fires, newspaper routes, motorcar races, and rationing.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Picture Books

95 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Michael has worked on magazines, book jackets, animated films, TV adverts, and even for the police, sketching criminals described by witnesses. As well as illustrating many of his own books, Michael has illustrated over a hundred books for authors such as Shakespeare, J. M. Barrie, the Brothers Grimm, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. Michael has travelled widely - to Africa, Japan, the Arctic Circle, China and Malaysia, the Himalayas, Siberia and New Zealand - to research his books. "I do a lot of research when I'm travelling - I find it thrilling to discover the particular 'art' of different landscapes and work them into a book. But I find I have to travel by myself, otherwise I'm constantly getting involved in other people's impressions of a place... I try to be invisible when I'm travelling, so I tend to listen in on conversations rather than participate in them - I just want to look and draw."

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with Michael Foreman's other books this is a delightful account of his early life. Both adults who experienced similar events and children alike will enjoy reading it. I shall treasure, it along with his associated books, as an amusing and historical account but also as a work of superb artistic skill.

[Vcmc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful second instalment of Michael Foreman's memoirs. Honest, beautifully described and illustrated a delightful book.

[Frank A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a special new edition of Michael Foreman's classic sequel to the award-winning War Boy. Life for a young boy is different after the Second World War ends - the country is moving forward again and he is finding his place in the world. Once the victory parades are over and the barbed wire and unexploded bombs are cleared, his attention is drawn to football, music, girls and art. Michael Foreman's personal story is the story of life in Britain in the '40s and '50s - from soldiers returning from war to jazz clubs and 'teddy boys' - a time when everything changes. Like War Boy, After the War Was Over is a lively and innovative combination of story and factual information with Foreman's trademark beautiful illustrations.

From the typical Michael Foreman illustrations on the cover, right through to the last page, I was hooked once again by After the War Was Over. It is obvious from the outset that this is a world that Foreman is very familiar with - the attention to detail and the little snippets of life could only have been produced by someone who had actually experienced them. I loved the mini-tales of post war life that intermingles with the soft, colourful pictures, all of which present a vivid snapshot of Foreman's childhood. He combines personal insight with factual data - the pages also have cuttings of adverts and images to echo the memories he is relating to the audience. I particularly liked the adverts and cuttings, finding them very interesting as well as adding a historical context to Foreman's story.

As an introduction for children to this historical period this story could prove a valuable resource. Whether you are a teacher or a parent (or any adult who is reading this) you will find that Foreman's book raises questions and provokes discussion. Books that present the facts are valuable, but these accounts are perhaps more so because they put flesh on the bones and give faces to the people who lived through the adapting world of post war Britain. After the War Was Over is actually a history lesson with fun and pictures!