the joys of coming home from far away places, geographically or symbolically

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the joys of coming home from far away places, geographically or symbolically

ages 8 years to teen
For non-Australian readers: Along the Road to Gundagai is much-loved folk song written in 1922 and Gundagai is a small town a couple of hours inland from Canberra (Australia’s capital city). It’s a lovely memorable tune and in this book it’s given a whole new (and solemn) slant.

Here, it’s a young soldier musing on the words to the song and the completely beautiful illustrations show scenes from home and scenes of war.

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how ordinary people doing good things led to powerful, enduring wartime bonds

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how ordinary people doing good things led to powerful, enduring wartime bonds

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). 

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Someday: capturing perfectly the love between mother and daughter

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Someday: capturing perfectly the love between mother and daughter

ages 4 years to grownup
Heavens this is a beautiful book! It’s a teary one; a lovely wander through the life of a baby girl told through the eyes of her mother. Truly, I get goosebumps every time I read it—it’s my go-to baby shower or pregnancy present for mothers who are expecting girls .

A young mother holds her newborn and kisses her fingers. And she tells the baby of her mother-wishes for the baby’s life. Things like: 

‘Someday your eyes will be filled with a joy so deep that they shine.’
 

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I Believe In Unicorns: rich in magic moments, full of love and hope

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I Believe In Unicorns: rich in magic moments, full of love and hope

Michael Morpurgo often chooses war as a theme around which to wrap a story that isn’t really about war at all. In I Believe in Unicorns there is a war and it carries all the usual elements—and the war is pivotal to the story. But the story itself is about belief, acceptance, virtue, love and hope. It's told in the first person by Tomas who is remembering the time war came to his town. 
ages 6 years to grownup

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The Matchbox Diary: a warm and engaging story of keepsakes and family history

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The Matchbox Diary: a warm and engaging story of keepsakes and family history

ages 4 to 10 years
Set in USA—there was a time when matchboxes were ubiquitous, now there are probably children who will need the concept of a matchbox explained or shown to them. But once that’s done, I suspect many children will want to start their own matchbox diary – and adults too.
 

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Mile High Apple Pie: a child's love and a tender look at Alzheimer's

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Mile High Apple Pie: a child's love and a tender look at Alzheimer's

I don’t normally like books that overtly teach. I prefer the teaching part to settle gently in the recesses of small minds ready for them to catch and adapt as life throws circumstances to them that don’t quite match the books they’ve read. Mile-High Apple Pie is an exception - there's the obvious, plus much more. 

ages 4 to 12 years

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Space Travellers: a respectful and warm look at homelessness

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Space Travellers: a respectful and warm look at homelessness

ages 4 years to grownup
Children’s books about homelessness are hard to find and this one strikes just the right note. Zac and Mandy are homeless, but very far from helpless. Space Travellers is a beautiful book about homelessness, with themes of self-reliance, sharing, making do and so much more.

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