Anzac Ted, 10th Anniversary Edition

Anzac Ted, 10^th Anniversary Edition by Belinda Landsberry (EK Books) PB HB RRP $29.99 9781922539755

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

The first edition of Anzac Ted was Belinda Landsberry’s debut picture book. Published internationally, it was short listed for the 2016 Western Australian Young Reader’s Book Awards. Landsberry’s second picture book Once I Was Loved, is also published by EK Books.

A tattered old bear called Anzac Ted looks scary and gets no Show and Tell votes. But he holds an important story that his young owner treasures. You see, Anzac Ted belonged to his grandfather. When his grandfather was a young soldier going to war, Anzac Ted went inside his suitcase for luck and to bring him home. While at war, Anzac Ted visited many soldiers and gave them peace. He became their mascot and helped bring them home.

This story is as fresh and relevant today as it was ten years ago. Belinda Landsberry’s heartfelt words take a young reader from modern day world to a bygone era with a bear who went to war. She shows that although not shiny new Anzac Ted is special and holds an important secret. Her words bring both sadness and understanding about war. When Grandpa Jack enlisted, he was only twenty-one. He kissed his wife, he loved his life, and hugged his baby son. The rhyme is extremely well done and poignant. Landsberry shows that the freedom we enjoy today was hard won by young men. I think the story really shows children how special the Anzacs were. I know he isn’t pretty and some people roll their eyes but if they see, like you and me…  The layered meaning in the text is powerful and shows that old things and people have valuable life stories. If we only seek to find them out and understand them. The inclusion of detailed backmatter strengthens the book.  It’s an impactful celebration of the Anzac spirit. 

The illustrations are powerful and move from modern day world of full colour to muted brown tones much like sepia paper that feels aged, like old photographs or a movie reel. I love the double page spread of the silhouetted soldiers walking across a paddock and peeking out of the top of a backpack is Anzac Ted. Another clever illustration shows Anzac Ted battle-sore and scarred by war. This is a much gentler way of showing what war can do rather than showing injured soldiers in a children’s book. But the illustrations do show barbed war, explosions, and how young the soldiers were. The body language of the characters speaks as strongly as the words do. The last page is powerful and moving and hits the heart deeply with the image of a soldier standing at the last post. It dances with the text beautifully: His name is…Anzac Ted. The use of both single page illustrations to double page ensures the words and text go together seamlessly.

Anzac Ted is an important picture book for children 4 to 8 years. It is a book to treasure and is held in high regard by teachers because it’s a great teaching resource that matches the school curriculum.  The topic is told so sensitively that it captures hearts and minds of all ages not just children. It’s appealing to parents, teachers and librarians.

ANZAC TED-10th Anniversary Edition

ANZAC TED-10^th Anniversary Edition by Belinda Landsberry. 2024 EK Books. Hardback picture book RRP $29.99. ISBN 978-1 922539-75-5.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

This is a beautifully produced and poignant picture book, which tells an important tale of Australian and New Zealand history. It has been re-released as a hardback for its 10^th anniversary.

The first edition of Anzac Ted was Belinda’s debut children’s picture book. Published internationally, it was short-listed for the 2016 Western Australian Young Reader’s Book Awards. It was also featured in the Anzac Stories: Behind the Pages Exhibition in 2017-2018, which was hosted by schools and libraries throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Author/illustrator Belinda Landsberry skillfully blends words and images, transitioning from colour illustrations to sepia, representing the war years, and back to colour again. Written through the eyes of a child who treasures Grandpa Jack’s old war-ravaged bear, it is a tale designed to help children understand the sacrifices made during those years. Anzac Ted is scary: with only one eye, one ear, a split tummy and ripped and torn fur, he doesn’t get any votes from the 27 class students in Show and Tell for the Favourite Toy. However, Ted’s tale is one of being a mascot for the Anzac soldiers. He is a bear who gave them hope, comfort and courage, and this story is celebration of the Anzac spirit.

The author has included a back page explaining the history of the Anzacs, and mentions the Turkish involvement, which is extremely helpful for adults reading the book to younger readers. 

Anzac Ted is recommended for children aged 4-8 years.

 

 

Once, I was Loved

Once, I was Loved by Belinda Landsberry (EK Books) RRP HB $24.99
ISBN 9781925820027

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Once, I was Loved is the latest picture book from talented author/illustrator Belinda Landsberry, creator of the acclaimed children’s book, Anzac Ted.
Told from a second person point of view, Tock, the long-eared toy rabbit is the narrator of the story and speaks directly to his young audience.

“Hey, it’s me! Tock! Down here in the Charity Box.”

On the eve of heading to the charity shop, the much-loved rabbit reflects on the ups and downs of his long life. First, Tock introduces us to his original owner, five-year-old Sam, who adored him for many years. Sam then gives Tock to a young boy who is less fortunate than herself. The tale continues with Tock given up, passed down, or lost and finding a new owner each time. The rabbit is loved by seven different owners over the decades, each one with a unique story and a snippet of history revealed, from war times to the introduction of the internet.

While the narrative is sad in parts, this book also depicts Tock as a very lucky rabbit to have been loved for so many decades by so many gorgeous children. The tale reminds us that people will come in and out of our life for a myriad of reasons, and letting go can sometimes be hard. However, if we are always loved and are given opportunities to experience life’s joys, then we have lived a great life.

Once, I was Loved is a beautiful story suitable for children aged 4+.

Anzac Ted

Anzac Ted written and illustrated by Belinda Landsberry (EK Books)
HB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-1-921966-56-9
Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Anzac Ted may look scary but if only everyone looked a little deeper they would see an unsung hero.  He is a teddy bear that went to war with the Anzacs and through courage, loyalty and love helped bring our soldiers home. 

Anzac Ted is a poignant and touching book.  Written in rhyme, it is the story of a child’s teddy bear that has clearly seen the worst of times.  Dirty and torn, Anzac Ted frightens other children and is seemingly only loved by his owner.  But Ted’s story is a heroic one – taken to the First World War as a mascot and surviving to come home.  It was his wartime experiences that left him scarred and damaged.

 

Visually striking, the book starts and ends with large, colourful illustrations with a transition to sepia colouring during the telling of Anzac Ted’s experiences in the war.  Interestingly, these illustrations were based, with permission, on real-life shots taken by war photographer, Ernest Brooks and the portrait of the Unknown Soldier.

I found it a little sad as despite all that Anzac Ted endured, his heroism is widely unacknowledged by the children around him.  An important message, I think, for us to remember and be thankful for the sacrifice of our past and present soldiers. 
Overall, Anzac Ted is a beautiful and important book; especially as we commemorate the 100^th anniversary of World War 1 and in particular the Gallipoli campaign.  While clearly a children’s story, this is a book that is suitable for all ages; with the effect dependant on the reader’s understanding of and connection to wartime of any era.

Belinda Landsberry is a children’s author and illustrator.  She has trained as a primary school teacher, graphic designer, copywriter/art director and nurse.  She lives on the North Shore (Sydney) with her family and four kids.  Anzac Ted is her first picture book.  She can be found online at: http://belindalandsberry.com/