The Anzac Billy

by Claire Saxby

A billy can't be posted, delivered on a bike, or sent in a car, truck or train. It has to be loaded on a ship with all those other Anzac billies for other soldier dads... During World War I, Australian soldiers serving on the front were sent Christmas care packages – tin billies filled by families and friends. This is the story of one little boy lovingly selecting, with the help of his mum and grandma, favourite and useful things for his dad's billy – butterscotch, nuts, handkerchiefs, writing paper and more. Then, with a wish that the billy makes it in time for Christmas Day, he sends it on its way... Sail, big ship of billies, sail far across the sea. Until you reach the other side, until you reach my dad...

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 2, 2019

About the author

An Australian writer of fiction, non fiction and poetry for children

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the simplest stories say the most. This picture book of a family filling a billy to send to father away at war is such a thing. Gentle and beautifully illustrated.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous picture book is about how the families in Australia sent Christmas care packages in billy cans to the soldiers overseas during the war. It's a theme that, while difficult, is incredibly important for children to learn about and this book takes one aspect of the war and handles it in a gentle and age-appropriate way without being too confronting.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving story, beautifully illustrated.

[Aryani Siti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful picture book. The story is very powerful.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical picture book set in WW1. Based on intensive research, this moving story based on true events follows a family packing a billy with goods for their loved one at war.

[Bookrapt (Est. 1983) · Rating 4 out of 5]

'I'm filling a billy full of Christmas for my dad.'

This picture book follows a boy and his family as they fill a Christmas billy for his ANZAC father during World War I. Each object is carefully chosen and lovingly placed in the billy by members of the family.

The family takes their billy to be packed in a box filled with billies and loaded aboard a ship filled with boxes. The billy they packed might not make it to their father, but one of the billies will. They've all been packed by friends and family, and they all carry the hope of a safe return home.

Although the text is simple, the beautiful watercolour illustrations featuring mostly browns and blues echo an old photograph, allowing the reader to step back in time. The detail of the images strike a perfect balance with the text, showing young readers what life was like for families during this time. The family can be seen hanging the washing, going to the store, having tea and feeding the baby as they pack their billy. Time moves forward as they wait and hope together.

Reviewed by Julia Edgecombe (Bookrapt)