The Tale of the Anzac Tortoise

USD $12.99 Tax Included

Based on the true story of one of the longest-living and quietest World War I survivors, this is an epic tale of soldiers, nurses, sacrifice and kindness, when siblings Matthew and Marama find themselves transported back in time to the shores of Gallipoli through an encounter with a tortoise. The original tortoise who inspired the story was plucked by a wounded soldier from the battlefield and then gifted to a nurse, who brought him home to New Zealand. That nurse was the great-great-aunt of author Shona Riddell, and the tortoise remained in their family for the next 80 years!

Specifications: 9780473318949| Paperback | 175 x 256mm / 7 x 10in | 36 Pages | Colour | Tortoise Shell Press

SKU: 9780473318949 Categories: ,

Shona Riddell has been a professional writer and journalist for over 15 years. Her articles have been published in the New Zealand Herald, the Listener, and the Sunday Star-Times, among others, and she has worked as a writer/editor for TVNZ, ACP (now Bauer) Media, and Trade Me. Shona lives in Wellington with her husband and two daughters. Shona has written two non-fiction books with Exisle; ‘Trial of Strength‘ and ‘Guiding Lights‘.

Matt Gauldie was New Zealand’s official Defence Force artist for 11 years, one of just a few artists ever to be selected for this prestigious role. Matt is also an award-winning artist. He has exhibited his work publicly through dozens of solo and group exhibitions for almost 20 years, covering themes ranging from rural New Zealand to Maoritanga to Wellington’s nightlife. Over the years he has also been commissioned to paint portraits of notable figures, including former Wellington mayor Mark Blumsky, governor general Jerry Mateparae, former governor general Anand Satyanand, and the governor of Bamyan, Habiba Sarobi.

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Anzac Ted

USD $17.99

Anzac Ted is the powerful, poignant story of a little boy’s teddy bear that was passed down to him from his grandfather. Battered, torn, missing an eye and an ear, he might look scary but he’s got a great story to tell. For Anzac Ted went to war, keeping soldiers company and giving them comfort. And while he never won a medal, and now doesn’t even attract a single vote at classroom Toy Shows, if only everyone looked a little deeper: ‘They’d see a hero, plain as day Who sits upon my bed. A hero, who saved me and you. His name … is Anzac Ted.’

While several children’s picture books cover the world wars, none has ever made the conflict so accessible to children by telling the story of a bear who went to war. Belinda’s exquisite watercolour illustrations combine with her rhyming text to create a book that, while perfect for parents and teachers to share with children, is also guaranteed to touch the heart of every adult.

Download the Teacher’s Notes Here

SPECIFICATIONS: Hardcover/Paperback  | 245 x 255mm / 9½ x 10 Inches | 32 Pages | EK Books