Top Ten for Thursday

As tomorrow is a holiday, there is no Top Five for Friday. Which led me to ponder Thursday. Should it be two or ten? Somehow two just didn't seem to cut it (and I wouldn't have been able to decide which two anyway). So in commemoration of Anzac Day on Monday, here is our Top Ten for Thursday.

For Children

1. Lest we Forget Feana Tu'akoi, illustrated by Elspeth Alix Batt. This recently released picture book gives a Kiwi perspective on the wars New Zealanders have fought on, so far from home. Told from the point of view of a young boy who thinks war is stupid, he sits down for afternoon tea with three generations of his family and then decides whether or not he should go to the Dawn Service on Anzac Day. A wonderful addition to the shelves and well received as a read aloud today during my School Holiday Programme by both children and adults.


2. Anzac Day Parade Glenda Kane & Lisa Allen. Fewer words but slightly more sophisticated in meaning is the next Kiwi Anzac book. Meanings are implied rather than explicit which means this is a great picture book to share with your family. The illustrations and ghosting are superb.


3. The Pillow War Matt Novak. The publisher's blurb calls this tale "whimsical" and on one level it is a very light-hearted look at a pillow fight between Millie and Fred which spreads until the whole world is involved. On another level it can be used to introduce the concept of arguments, fighting and war and how easily they spread outside the boundaries of a single country. Another picture book that went down well at my storytime for pre-schoolers earlier this week.


4. Should we forget? : the significance of Anzac Day : letters to James Jim Rolfe. I haven't read this book but it sounds intriguing. "Letter from a grandfather to a grandson explain the significance Anzac Day has for so many New Zealanders and Australians" With chapters (letters) describing the significance of the red poppy, the last post and the ode, many people will find this interesting.


5. I dream of peace: Images of war by children of former Yugoslavia created by UNICEF. It's not about Anzac Day, Kiwis (or even Australians). And although it is catalogued as Children's Non-fiction and I have included it in this section, I would also highly recommend it to adults. The images are startlingly simple and the words incredibly powerful as children between 8 and 15 describe what war means to them. A big part of Anzac Day for me personally is the hope for peace and that there will no longer be a need for Kiwis to go to war. This book really reinforces that message.

For Adults

1. The long white cloud : Gallipoli Buket Uzuner ; translated by Pelin Thornhill Ariner. One of the fabulous things about now being part of the biggest library in Australasia is being able to find and tell you about treasures that are available to us now. This 2004 Turkish title which has been translated into English looks like one of them. I haven't read it but it may join others on my TBR list. The summary in our catalogue reads Gallipoli 2000: A young New-Zealender woman coming to Gallipoli to find the lost grave of the great-grandfather who died in the Battle of Gallipoli, and the stunning eighty-five year old secret of a Turkish granny strolling in the Gallipoli National Park with her cane... Gallipoli 1915: The terrifying lesson Ottoman Lieutenant Ali Osman bey and ANZAC (Australian and New Zealander Army Corps) Private Alistair John Taylor teach mankind together... The great test for mankind that no nation is yet ready to include in history books: Could the same man be a hero in two conflicting countries in the same war? Or, is history a text that can be read linearly? Besides, should history be re-written?


2. 25 April 1915 : the day the Anzac legend was born David W. Cameron. What happened on April 25th to make Anzac Day such a part of our history. This 2007 book is one of many which describes the events of the day, what led to it and it's aftermath.


3. Gallipoli : the battlefield guide / Mat McLachlan. Like many Kiwis, one day I would like to visit Gallipoli and really get a sense fo the place that is such a big part of our history. As the catalogue summary for this book says More Australians and New Zealanders visit Gallipoli every year, and the numbers are increasing each year as the centenary of the landing approaches in 2015. This practical guide book enables them plan their trip, work out what to see and in what order, and gives the historical background to the major battles.


4. Traitor Stephen Daisley. This novel came out last year and I haven't read it yet either. The summary from the Publisher's website indicates that it addresses in fiction how one man balances his pasifist nature with his pride in his country. Opening on the battlefields of Gallipoli, Traitor follows the story of young New Zealand soldier, David, as he is forced to confront the clash of love for his fellow man versus love for his country. Sent home in disgrace, broken and made anew, David attempts to find peace in the secluded hills of his homeland.


5. Peter Fitzsimons. Whatever I think of Peter Fitzsimons in rugby terms (he played for the Wallabies - I am an All Black fan. What can I say?), when it comes to well researched and written biographies and histories there are few better. His forthright manner comes through in his very readable non-fiction tomes. While he has not addressed Gallipoli specifically, many of his titles deal with periods and characters from our history at War. Nancy Wake, Kokoda and Tobruk have all been explored.

Have an awesome weekend everyone. May the Easter bunny be generous, Monday morning not be too chilly for those at Dawn parade and everyone be safe on the roads.