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Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion
Much has been written about war and remembrance, but very little of it has been for young children. As questions come from a young grandchild, his grandpa talks about how, as a very young man, he was as proud as a peacock in uniform, busy as a beaver on his Atlantic crossing, and brave as a lion charging into battle. Soon, the old man’s room is filled with an imaginary menagerie as the child thinks about different aspects of wartime. But as he pins medals on his grandpa’s blazer and receives his own red poppy in return, the mood becomes more somber.
Outside, the crowd gathered for the veterans’ parade grows as quiet as a mouse, while men and women — old and young — march past in the rain. A trumpet plays and Grandpa lays a wreath in memory of his lost friend. Just then, the child imagines an elephant in the mist. “Elephants never forget,” he whispers to his grandpa. “Then let’s be elephants,” says the old man, as he wipes water from his eyes and takes his grandson’s hand.
Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion has relevance to a growing number of families, as new waves of soldiers leave home.
Outside, the crowd gathered for the veterans’ parade grows as quiet as a mouse, while men and women — old and young — march past in the rain. A trumpet plays and Grandpa lays a wreath in memory of his lost friend. Just then, the child imagines an elephant in the mist. “Elephants never forget,” he whispers to his grandpa. “Then let’s be elephants,” says the old man, as he wipes water from his eyes and takes his grandson’s hand.
Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion has relevance to a growing number of families, as new waves of soldiers leave home.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 30, 2022
Absolutely five stars!
This is such a well told, well characterized and beautifully and cleverly illustrated book! Super touching and sweet!
A little boy looks at his grandpa’s photograph book and asks him about the War, before heading off to the Veterans Day parade with him.
Ages: 3 - 10
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
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This is such a well told, well characterized and beautifully and cleverly illustrated book! Super touching and sweet!
A little boy looks at his grandpa’s photograph book and asks him about the War, before heading off to the Veterans Day parade with him.
Ages: 3 - 10
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
November 4, 2017
This is a GOOSEBUMPS book. (Not R.L. Stine Goosebumps, but a book that actually gives you goosebumps when you get to the end.)
It's wonderful. Brilliant. I was looking for a storytime book to teach the kids about Veteran's Day without making things overly simple (people in the military fly planes! and drive tanks! and they help people!) or overly dark (mud and blood and bodies everywhere). And this book is absolutely perfect. It's in such a wonderfully conversational tone, from the POV of a kid, and covers all the important bases. Pride in serving your country, hard work, courage under pressure, even a nod at PTSD.
The illustrations are incredible - I love the use of the phantom animals, as well as the glimpses of Poppa as a young soldier.
Highly recommended!
It's wonderful. Brilliant. I was looking for a storytime book to teach the kids about Veteran's Day without making things overly simple (people in the military fly planes! and drive tanks! and they help people!) or overly dark (mud and blood and bodies everywhere). And this book is absolutely perfect. It's in such a wonderfully conversational tone, from the POV of a kid, and covers all the important bases. Pride in serving your country, hard work, courage under pressure, even a nod at PTSD.
The illustrations are incredible - I love the use of the phantom animals, as well as the glimpses of Poppa as a young soldier.
Highly recommended!
October 31, 2020
One of my favourite stories. I read this at Remembrance Day celebrations in the community.
January 16, 2021
Excellent book for talking about veterans to little ones (even middle ones). Read and reread this one at least every Memorial/Veteran's Day. I'm so very sorry it's not readily available.
May 25, 2021
Most appropriate for kindergarten and beyond. My kids loved looking for the animals through out the book. It was a tear jerker for me!
October 7, 2024
A boy accompanies his grandfather to a parade and wreath-laying ceremony in honor of veterans. They use similes comparing their feelings to those of various animals.
I especially liked that the book could be used for a military remembrance in any number of countries (author and illustrator are Canadian). There are no American flags or symbols in the illustrations.
Despite the solemn subject matter, the text and illustrations are accessible and appropriate for young children.
"Poppa, why are you crying?"
"I am remembering. A war is something you never forget."
"Elephants never forget."
"Then, let's be elephants."
I especially liked that the book could be used for a military remembrance in any number of countries (author and illustrator are Canadian). There are no American flags or symbols in the illustrations.
Despite the solemn subject matter, the text and illustrations are accessible and appropriate for young children.
"Poppa, why are you crying?"
"I am remembering. A war is something you never forget."
"Elephants never forget."
"Then, let's be elephants."
November 24, 2022
I needed a last minute book for Veteran's Day week. Most of the Veteran's Day books in the library are geared towards older students and I needed a book for my K-1 classes. I found this book online and had the students listen to it. Every class sat through it, listening quietly. I will be ordering a hard copy to add to the library. Highly recommend to the younger audience to instill appreciation for our veterans.
Great for: K-3
Teaches: Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Remembrance Day, history
Great for: K-3
Teaches: Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Remembrance Day, history
November 11, 2021
Listen to this story and see the pictures here
I loved this book! Worth reading to any kid. I'm sure they'd all enjoy it. The pictures aren't too bad, either.
I loved this book! Worth reading to any kid. I'm sure they'd all enjoy it. The pictures aren't too bad, either.
October 19, 2022
As a granddaughter of a warblinded vet this book really resonated with me. My grandfather also lied about his age to join the Canadian forces.
Very well told.
Great reminder for many who made such sacrifices whom are no longer with us.
Very well told.
Great reminder for many who made such sacrifices whom are no longer with us.
November 5, 2019
This is my favourite Remembrance Day book. My eyes leaked at the end. It's beautiful writing with beautiful art, just perfect for elementary students.
November 11, 2020
Story of a boy talking with his grandpa as they get ready for Remembrance day ceremony. Good story.
November 16, 2021
Perfect for Remembrance Day for little. Shows the heart and the sadness without it being scary. Will definitely use next year!
May 2, 2022
Simple, beautiful, moving. Every child who is free because of the sacrifices of others should grow up with this book.
July 12, 2016
Worldview - Universally Acceptable
Setting:
Location - Canada Time Period - Current, WWII
Review
A young boy watches as his WWII veteran grandfather celebrate Remembrance day, asking questions, which are answered in a simple, yet sweet way. He explains that he was as proud as a peacock when he put on his uniform. Each soldier worked hard in service, as busy as a beaver. When he felt afraid he pretended to be as brave as a lion and together they must be like elephants and never forget.
The lovely watercolors, in subtle, muted tones, will help children to understand the story. The images are filled with things they can expect to see on Remembrance day at cenotaphs all across Canada, making it a wonderful opportunity for discussion before taking a small child for the first time.
It takes a skilled author to make content like this appropriate and applicable to such a young audience, but this book is artfully done. It would be perfect for any veteran to share with small children, whether their own, or in a classroom setting.
Teacher Application
Remembrance Day teaching can be a challenge with this age group, but this book offers an age appropriate way to approach the subject.
Children could be asked to find images they saw at the cenotaph afterwards. There are poppies, wreaths, uniforms, flags and a bugle player among other things. Children can learn that Canadians across Canada are remembering together in the same way, because we must never forget, just as the book states.
The book uses similes in a very obvious way, creating a simple opportunity to present the concept to students.
Parental Warning
N/A
Setting:
Location - Canada Time Period - Current, WWII
Review
A young boy watches as his WWII veteran grandfather celebrate Remembrance day, asking questions, which are answered in a simple, yet sweet way. He explains that he was as proud as a peacock when he put on his uniform. Each soldier worked hard in service, as busy as a beaver. When he felt afraid he pretended to be as brave as a lion and together they must be like elephants and never forget.
The lovely watercolors, in subtle, muted tones, will help children to understand the story. The images are filled with things they can expect to see on Remembrance day at cenotaphs all across Canada, making it a wonderful opportunity for discussion before taking a small child for the first time.
It takes a skilled author to make content like this appropriate and applicable to such a young audience, but this book is artfully done. It would be perfect for any veteran to share with small children, whether their own, or in a classroom setting.
Teacher Application
Remembrance Day teaching can be a challenge with this age group, but this book offers an age appropriate way to approach the subject.
Children could be asked to find images they saw at the cenotaph afterwards. There are poppies, wreaths, uniforms, flags and a bugle player among other things. Children can learn that Canadians across Canada are remembering together in the same way, because we must never forget, just as the book states.
The book uses similes in a very obvious way, creating a simple opportunity to present the concept to students.
Parental Warning
N/A
April 14, 2010
This is a simple, beautifully-crafted little book. A little boy watches his grandfather get dressed and ready for a "Remembrance Day" celebration (Canadian equivalent of Veteran's Day, I think). His poppa tells him about his time in the Canadian army, how he was proud as a peacock to wear that uniform, busy as a beaver in the service, brave as a lion in battle, and an elephant who never forgets the friends he lost in the war.
This would be good to read around Veteran's Day to launch a discussion on both the story as well as the similes in the text. Kids could create their own animal-related similes as a follow-up activity.
This would be good to read around Veteran's Day to launch a discussion on both the story as well as the similes in the text. Kids could create their own animal-related similes as a follow-up activity.
July 29, 2011
FINALLY! A Remembrance Day book for primary students! A moving story about a young boy helping his grandfather prepare to march in the Remembrance Day parade. This is an excellent book for making connections as small details in the beginning link us to other information provided later in the text. The illustrations also provide 3 layers of meaning and the similies are evocative--particularly the last--which provides a glimmer of humour in the midst of the melancholy.
August 19, 2011
A young boy watches his grandfather get ready for Remembrance Day, asking questions as he does. The grandfather explains why he fought in WWII. Along the way, he and the boy used animal based idioms to describe how they felt or acted.
Lovely book to help explain Remembrance Day, without glorifying war. In addition there are some lovely points where a teacher or parent can work on inferencing with younger readers.
Lovely book to help explain Remembrance Day, without glorifying war. In addition there are some lovely points where a teacher or parent can work on inferencing with younger readers.
May 22, 2013
A young boy accompanies his grandfather to a Veteran's Day parade and explores his grandfather's decision to serve his country as they prepare for the event.
The watercolor and gouache illustrations are amaaaaazing! I love the spread in which the grandfathr struts around the room as if a peacock and in the mirror is the reflection ( in black and white) of the yound solider he once was.
A great read aloud for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day.
The watercolor and gouache illustrations are amaaaaazing! I love the spread in which the grandfathr struts around the room as if a peacock and in the mirror is the reflection ( in black and white) of the yound solider he once was.
A great read aloud for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day.
November 11, 2012
This is a touching book that tells the story of Remembrance Day in a sensitive but meaningful way. It's about remembering, so the kids can relate the bugle and the silence and the laying of wreaths that we do at our assembly to the same in the story. I alternate this one with A Bear in War by Stephanie Innes. Both very specifically Canadian in their perspective, poppies and all.
Want to Read
August 4, 2009Ohhhh! A similie book!
Read
June 17, 2010remebrance day
October 26, 2012
Such a good book to remember an important day
February 14, 2014
Nice story about a young grandson talking with his grandfather; they use expressions with animals.
November 4, 2015
Read with the 3/4s. We did stop-and-checks. Not sure what grade does similes, but this has multiple examples. I think this is a good grade to read this book with, give or take 1 grade level.
January 31, 2016
An absolutely gorgeous book!!
November 9, 2012
Wonderful book. One that will stay with you and one to be passed down for years.
October 22, 2014
It's a good book but a sad book
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews