Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion

ISBN: 0887769519

Author: Barclay, Jane

Condition: Used

Much has been written about war and remembrance, but very little of it has been for young children. As questions come from a young grandchild, his grandpa talks about how, as a very young man, he was as proud as a peacock in uniform, busy as a beaver on his Atlantic crossing, and brave as a lion charging into battle. Soon, the old mans room is filled with an imaginary menagerie as the child thinks about different aspects of wartime. But as he pins medals on his grandpas blazer and receives his own red poppy in return, the mood becomes more somber.Outside, the crowd gathered for the veterans parade grows as quiet as a mouse, while men and women - old and young - march past in the rain. A trumpet plays and Grandpa lays a wreath in memory of his lost friend. Just then, the child imagines an elephant in the mist. Elephants never forget, he whispers to his grandpa. Then lets be elephants, says the old man, as he wipes water from his eyes and takes his grandsons hand.Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion has relevance to a growing number of families, as new waves of soldiers leave home.