Hostesses:
Mother Daughter Book Reviews
Julie Grasso, Author/ Blogger
Cheryl Carpinello, Author / Blogger
Stacking Books
BeachBoundBooks
Pragmatic Mom
Reading Authors
The Logonauts
A Book Long Enough
Spark and Pook
Today I have a very special book to share with you from one truly awesome author friend of mine.
Anzac: The Story of a Little Goat
Written and Illustrated by Jacque Duffy
Description: What happens when a little goat wants to be part of a family. What lengths will he go to to win them over.
My Review:
Anzac was won in a two up game and sent to live on a cow farm. The cows happen to be an unfriendly bunch, so Anzac decides he will live in the house with the family.
The family are not so convinced. Anzac does every thing he can think of to get the family's attention. He plays with the kids, impersonates the family dog, tries to help the father in the vegetable garden, ( that doesn't end well) and even curls up in bed like the cat, but the family will have none of it.
He is banished to the barn with the cows, when the local butcher arrives.
Anzac looks at the family with sad Anzac eyes when the butcher drives off with him in the back of his truck.
Poor Anzac. What will his fate be? All he wants is to be loved by a family.
He befriends the butcher's little girl and finally gets his wish.
There ends the tale of a little goat named Anzac.
This is a sweet story, about perseverance as we journey with Anzac in his bid to find love and acceptance.
There is however, a little more to the story than first meets the eye.
If you are an Australian, you will need no explanation of how Anzac got his name.
For those of you who have no knowledge of our history, the name Anzac stands for Australian New Zealand Army Corp.
Two up was a game that soldiers played during war time. The Anzac's as we remember them every year on April 25, were the brave soldiers that attempted to capture Gallipoli peninsular during World War 1.
This battle has great significance in Australian history, not for victory, but for devastating loss of life.
For as long as I can remember, I attended dawn services on April 25. Leading up to the day, we buy red poppies as a sign that we will never forget the sacrifice the soldiers made.
At the service, An Ode To The Fallen, an excerpt from a poem by Laurence Binyon is read.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
The last post, a melody that signals the end of a soldiers day, is played, a minutes silence is observed followed by Revielle, which means wake up.
As an Australian, you cannot help but read stories like Anzac, without a tear close to the surface.
This is a lovely little book, that will hopefully open up dialogue with children all over the world, when they ask, "What Does ANZAC mean."
LEST WE FORGET
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I love the sound of this story, it sounds a bit similar to Charlotte's Web.
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Most Anzac book's are hard to come by in the US, but there are some. I'll see if the library has this one, it sounds very sweet. Most people outside Australia and New Zealand probably wouldn't know the significance of the name, but I think that blogging helps that, since blogging friends are world wide and write about what is important to them. Thanks for sharing this with us on #KLBH
ReplyDeleteThat looks like an adorable book. When I saw the name Anzac, I immediately though about Anzac day in Australia. It will be a great way for people to pick the book off the shelf. ;-) Hopping over on the kid lit blog hop.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds hilarious - although I did *gulp* when I read that the little goat ended up with the butcher's daughter. I hope that ends well for the poor little goat. :S
ReplyDeleteThis does sound a beautiful, layered story and a special way to introduce young children to this important history... #KLBH
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful story. I love when humor is used to teach a lesson. Those types of books were always a favorite with my boys. Thanks for sharing!
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