7 true (or true-ish) stories about people who chose to act peacefully
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7 epic books here - Sadako - Silent Night Holy Night - 14 Cows for America - The Yellow Star - The Red Piano - The Librarian of Basra - Peaceful Heroes
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war and peace - 13 books that show the best of human responses, gently, but without whitewashing
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With so very many heartbreaking images on our airwaves and in print, we thought it might be helpful to provide a small collection of favourite stories that help to develop a narrative around war. Talking about war is important in times when war is prevalent and proximate, but it also matters in times when we remain blissfully unaffected by war.
Read Morea poignant look at growth that follows the storms and trials of a life well lived
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ages 8 years to grownup
"Carefully, she unties the string and folds back the brown paper. Inside the parcel is a pine cone."
Based on a true story, Lone Pine tells of a young soldier who is at Lone Pine with his brother while yet another brother is also at war elsewhere. The young soldier survives, but his brother doesn’t.
This is tough stuff. It’s poignantly told and is full of sadness. But out of the sadness there is also hope and love. The soldier sends a pine cone from Lone Pine to his mother. She treasures it of course and puts it away where it lies "not quite remembered, not quite forgotten." [The story is set in Australia and Turkey]
Read Morehow ordinary people doing good things led to powerful, enduring wartime bonds
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ages 4 years to grownup
"They didn't even know us," said Adele. "But they died trying to help us."
Henri thought of his new soldier friends.
Do Not Forget Australia tells a true story through the eyes of a young, fictional French boy, Henri. His village, Villers-Breetonneux, was all but destroyed by the first ever tank battle between the British and the Germans. The Germans won, but Australian brigades followed the British and won the town (on 25 April, 1918 – Anzac Day).
Read More9 inspirational stories of women who dug deep in extra-ordinary circumstances
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It's coming up to International Women's Day (March 8) and we're delighted to bring you our collection of favourite picture books about women who did remarkable things -
Read MoreSilent Night, Holy Night: ever wondered how this beautiful carol came to be?
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Truly, this is a lovely book. In a time of poverty and despair, two young men - a priest and a teacher - recognised the gift that comforting words could be and created a carol that would drift and echo through the ages.
ages 4 to 12 years
Read MoreThe Librarian of Basra: the value of culture - and one woman's great courage
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Set in Iraq. The true story of Alia Muhammad Baker - a middle aged Iraqi woman living in the town of Basra and working as a librarian. Alia knew that war was coming to Basra and she knew that war brings fire which would likely destroy the precious books. This is the remarkable and impressive story of her work to save them.
ages 4 years to grownup
