Have you noticed how many children’s books have been written about World War II? I discovered recently that picture books set during World War I are much more rare. Here are three you might want to look up (seasonal bonus: one is a Christmas story).
Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon, illustrated by Henri Sorenson (Peachtree Publishers, 2007)
On Christmas day a grandfather tells his grandchildren his favourite Christmas memory. It was a Christmas Eve during World War I when German and Allied soldiers met in No Man’s Land to exchange small gifts, show photos, and play soccer before returning to the trenches. The illustrations are lovely oil paintings with muted colours. In the one-page author’s note McCutcheon explains that this particular story is fictional, although Christmas truces did occur, and emphasizes the need to teach kids how to “wage peace.” In addition, a detailed historical note provides context, includes brief eyewitness accounts, and lists sources. Recommended for ages 5 to 9.
Fly, Cher Ami, Fly!: The Pigeon Who Saved the Lost Battalion by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Robert MacKenzie (Harry N. Abrams, 2008)
As you can imagine from the title, this is the true story of Cher Ami, a carrier pigeon who saved a stranded American battalion in 1918. The text is not too long and is full of drama, as Cher Ami avoids a German sharpshooter and a trained hawk to carry his message to the other troops. I enjoyed the illustrations, which use lots of soft orange, green, and brown to evoke the atmosphere of war. A one-page afterword focuses on carrier pigeons and Cher Ami in particular. Recommended for ages
5 to 8.
Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2013)
Told from the first person point of view, this is the story of Mikey, whose dad enlists in the army during World War I. Mikey wants to help the war effort, but not by knitting socks for soldiers (knitting is for girls!). However, egged on by his sister he ends up joining a huge knitting bee and competing against the girls from his class. With simple cartoon-like illustrations, this picture book has a contemporary feel. The realistic attitudes and issues like sibling rivalry and gender roles may appeal to kids. The author’s note explains that the three-day Central Park knitting bee was a historical event. It includes an image of a Red Cross “Knit Your Bit” poster and a 1918 song about knitting for soldiers; the author even lists websites that explain how you can still knit for soldiers today. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.