Kerry Brown (text), Isabel Knowles and Benjamin Portas (illustrations), Lest We Forget, ABC Books, 1 March 2015, $24.99 (hbk), 32pp., ISBN 9780733332333
Lest we Forget by author Kerry Brown stands out as one of the best picture books in this category. I love the clever way two very talented new illustrators, Isobel Knowles and Benjamin Portas have worked together to produce the art work.
Lest we Forget is a conversation between a young boy and his grandfather sharing ‘days you want to remember and those you want to forget.’ Knowles paints the colourful fresh memories of the young boy- e.g. first day of school, excitement of when his sister was born and sadness of when his dog died. While the Grandfather’s World War I memories are interspersed using Portas’s framed portraits on wordless double page spreads.
Lest we Forget is a wonderful inter-generational conversation that will spark discussion and provide an opportunity for kids to develop empathy for the war veterans who have gone before. The ending reinforces the importance of remembering Anzac Day on April 25 and Remembrance Day on November 11.
Lest we Forget is suited for kids 5 years and up and would be an important addition to home and school libraries.
Reviewed by Wendy Fitzgerald
