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 100th 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/
