LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
Shortlisted for the Education Resources Award 2015
Amid the horror of the fighting in the First World War, there was one moment of unexpected and surprising harmony. On Christmas Eve 1914 the soldiers from opposing sides of No Man’s Land joined together in the singing of a carol. Stille Nacht was begun by the German soldiers; Silent Night followed as the British soldiers joined in. The next day, weapons were laid down and the two sides played an impromptu game of football. In a simple and well-phrased text and evocative illustrations this moment of truce is finely captured.
Julia Eccleshare M.B.E
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About
The Christmas Truce Synopsis
It’s Christmas Eve 1914. A group of tired soldiers start singing Stille Nacht, the soldiers on the other side of No Man’s Land respond with Silent Night. The next day, German and British soldiers, put down their guns and join in a game of football to celebrate the spirit of Christmas Day.
About This Edition
ISBN: |
9780957124578 |
Publication date: |
2nd October 2014 |
Author: |
Hilary Robinson |
Illustrator: |
Martin Impey |
Publisher: |
Strauss House Productions |
Format: |
Paperback |
Pagination: |
25 pages |
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Press Reviews
Hilary Robinson Press Reviews
Praise for Where The Poppies Now Grow (published April, 2014):
Gervase Phinn, Best Selling Author and former County Inspector of Schools
“Written in the great poetic tradition of depicting war as something immensely sad and personal, ‘Where The Poppies Now Grow’ is a powerful and beautifully written story, superbly illustrated, one which touches our hearts.”
Julia Eccleshare, review for LoveReading4Kids (also children’s books editor at The Guardian)
Where The Poppies Now Grow is “a book that reflects the lasting importance of both friendship and place and how they can help to heal the tragedy of war.”
The Teacher Magazine
“Beautiful illustrations add depth and give touching detail. This book could start a discussion of war and how it affects people, places and relationships. The idea that the veterans pictured were once young may make the story resonate with some younger readers”
Author
About Hilary Robinson
Hilary Robinson is an award winning radio producer and author of over 50 picture books. Awards include the 2016 Historical Young Quills Award for ‘Flo of the Somme.’ Radio credits include Private Peaceful for BBC Radio 2 and her series for Barry Humphries Forgotten Musical Masterpieces was listed as one of the top 30 artistic triumphs of 2016 by the Telegraph. Extracts from her book 'A Song For Will and the Lost Gardeners of Heligan' were read on BBC Radio 4. Follow her on Instagram here.
Read a Q&A with the author here.
More About Hilary Robinson
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This year marks the centenary of the 1914 Christmas Truce. To ensure that primary school age children have the opportunity to bear witness to this extraordinary moment in history, Hilary Robinson and Martin Impey have written a sequel to the highly acclaimed Where The Poppies Now Grow. The Christmas Truce is based on that true story and written in rhyme as a tribute to the war poets of the time. It tells the story of soldiers Ben and Ray shaking hands in friendship with Karl and Lars – a tribute to that remarkable moment in history when, for one day, peace found a place.
Author Hilary Robinson said “The Christmas Truce was a remarkable moment in history. On Christmas Eve German soldiers started singing Stille Nacht across No Man’s Land and the British responded with Silent Night. The result was a remarkable show of friendship and humanity amidst the tragedy of war. ”
Illustrator Martin Impey added “Amidst the fear and uncertainty, the soldiers realised that their foe were much as they were - just ordinary men in an extraordinary place. For a short time, they defied the concerns of their seniors and swapped gifts and prayed and played together. The Christmas Truce typified the human spirit at a time of unbelievable hardship and it is an honour to be playing a part, however small, in the remembrance of that.”