It is hard to really describe this book. You need to read it/experience it. This is a beautifully presented picture book that takes an unusual path to look at WWI's Gallipoli campaign. It begins in a 21st century classroom with students depicted, in b&w drawings, as fairly unengaged. The minute's silence for remembering those who died in WWI (at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month) is about to begin.
The text then repeats, page after page, the words "in one minute's silence...." as it depicts, in b&w illustrations, and describes, in emotionally moving text, what happened at Gallipoli, from both perspectives. Using simple language, the reader is asked to think and imagine what the men at Gallipoli felt/thought/went through. The stories of courage and fear of the young men on both sides of the battle is seamlessly merged offering balance to the campaign that is very well-known in Australia.
The extract from Mustafa Ataturk's moving speech is a fitting end to the book.
A great deal of careful thought has made the text and images deceptively simple as fit they together to give the reader a powerful experience. David Metzenthen' and Michael Camilleri have created an amazing book for all ages.
There are teacher's notes for the book on the publisher's website: http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=94&book=9781743316245 ( )