If you are looking for read alouds with an ANZAC theme, or wanting to encourage students to read about ANZAC you are sure to find something in this list put together by Lynn Heath at the National Library, Palmerston North.
Most are about World War 1 rather than specifically about ANZACs. The Dewey numbers for the non-fiction books will be near 940.3 and 940.4.
Picture booksThe Bantam and the Soldier by Jennifer Beck
In the midst of the fighting in France during World War I, a soldier named Arthur forms a special friendship with a bantam he calls Bertha. junior, primary
Present from the Past by Jennifer Beck
A young girl receives a special gift from the past from her Aunt. During the first World War, soldiers and nurses were given a special Christmas present from the Princess Mary, a precious box containing sweets or tobacco, as the royal family’s thanks for the hardships they were undertaking. primary
A war far away by Pauline Cartright
Recounts how a rural school experiences the loss of one of its teachers during the First World War. primary, intermediate
Grandad’s medals by Tracy Duncan
Every year Grandad marches in the Anzac Day parade and wears his medals, walking proudly beside his old comrades. But this year Grandad’s best mate is too sick to walk and the number of old soldiers still marching is getting smaller. junior, primary
The Donkey Man by Glyn Harper
Story of Roly, the donkey who became New Zealander Richard Henderson’s donkey during the First World War campaign at Gallipoli. Together they collected wounded soldiers from the battlefield and transferred them to Anzac Cove to board hospital ships. (NB This is not about Simpson.) primary
My Grandad marches on ANZAC Day. by Catriona Hoy
A little girl sits on her father’s shoulders waiting to see her Grandad as he marches in the Anzac Day parade. Explains the importance and significance of Anzac Day in terms that children can understand. junior, primary
In Flanders Fields by Norman Jorgensen
On a Christmas Day during the First World War, a soldier risks his life to rescue a robin tangled in barbed wire in no-man’s-land. A sophisticated picture book. primary
Fiction BooksLetters from the coffin trenches by Ken Catran
For seventeen-year-old Harry and his girlfriend Jessica, World War One is a crusade against the Hun. Harry enlists and is sent to Gallipoli, and Jessica leaves school and trains as a nurse. Their letters start with references to the knights of the round table but they are soon forced to face the brutal reality of war. secondary
Harry and the ANZAC Poppy by John Lockyer
Harry learns about the First World War through reading his Great-Great Grandfather’s letters home from the Western Front. The letters describe what it was like to be a soldier in the trenches and express the feelings of loneliness and fear which they experienced. primary, intermediate
Anzacs at war: the best 12 Anzac war stories ever! Graeme Low (editor)
Black and white graphic novel about various war situations in WW1 and WW2. intermediate, secondary
Caesar the ANZAC dog by Patricia Stroud
A fictionalised account of Caesar the bulldog, the mascot of the 4th Battalion (A Company) New Zealand Rifle Brigade, who served in World War One and died in action. primary, intermediate
Non Fiction BooksANZAC Day by Kevin Boon
Explains why New Zealand commemorates ANZAC Day and outlines New Zealand’s involvement in war, including the New Zealand Wars, the Boer War, World War One, and World War Two. Details the part played by New Zealand in the Gallipoli Campaign. primary, intermediate
Bernard Freyberg by Kevin Boon
The life story of Bernard Freyberg who served in both world wars. He gained distinction as commander of the New Zealand Army Division during the second World War and was later appointed Governor-General of New Zealand. primary, intermediate, junior secondary
Scarecrow army : the Anzacs at Gallipoli by Leon Davidson
A realistic description of life at Gallopoli during the ANZAC campaign. intermediate, secondary
ANZAC memories : images from the Great War by Don Donovan
Thought-provoking photographs and quotations about war. primary, intermediate, secondary
War Game by Michael Foreman
In the summer of 1914, four friends, Will, Lacey, Billy and Freddy, caught up in the excitement of the war, decide to join the army. primary, intermediate, junior secondary
Lottie, Gallipoli nurse by John Lockyer
An account of a nurse’s journey to Gallipoli aboard the New Zealand hospital ship Maheno. Her experiences include caring for the wounded and coping with the death of her brother Leddie, who was killed in action. Based on the letters of Lottie and Leddie Le Gallais and the war diary of John Duder. primary, intermediate
Gallipoli by Neil McKenzie
An older book with line drawings and reasonably simple explanations and descriptions. primary, intermediate
Letters to Henrietta by Nell Marshall
Family letters, old photographs and a family diary enable the author to describe what life was like for her Aunt Henrietta’s family during the nineteenth and early twentieth century; including the tremendous impact that the First World War had on their lives. primary, intermediate
ANZACs at Gallipoli: a story for ANZAC Day by Chris Pugsley
Explains the history behind Anzac day describing how New Zealand and Australian soldiers went to fight on the battlefields of Gallipoli. Includes personal narratives from New Zealand soldiers describing the horrific conditions they were subjected to and the events which took place including the Battle for Chunuk Bair and the Battle for Hill 60. primary, intermediate, junior secondary
Should we forget?:the significance of Anzac Day:letters to James by Jim Rolfe
In letters to a young friend, Jim Rolfe explains the significance of the word ANZAC, why we still have ANZAC Day, why New Zealanders went to war, the significance of the Dawn Parade and the bugle calls, the RSA and Poppy day, military medals, how people left at home had to live during the war, and includes some statistics about losses of New Zealanders in various wars (Boer War until Vietnam War). primary, intermediate
