Lumber Jills: The Unsung Heroines of World War II - Hardcover

Davis, Alexandra

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807547956 ISBN 13: 9780807547953

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company, 2019

Synopsis

A true story of the female lumberjacks who helped save Great Britain's war effort.

In World War II, Great Britain needed lumber to make planes, ships, and even newspapers―but there weren't enough men to cut down the trees. Enter the fearless Lumber Jills! These young women may not have had much woodcutting experience, but they each had two hands willing to work and one stout heart, and they came together to do their part. Discover this lyrical story of home front heroism and female friendship.

About this title

About the Authors

Alexandra Davis studied Children's Literature at New York University. Since then, Alex has developed her picture book writing while working in the legendary New York children's bookstore, Books of Wonder, on 5th Avenue selling high-fashion shoes and handbags, and at home raising a curious little boy. Lumber Jills is her first book.

Katie Hickey studied at Falmouth University. Since graduating, she has worked for various clients ranging from greeting card companies, magazines, and publishers. She lives with her family and dogs in the countryside just outside London.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 2-Davis sets out to simply tell the story of 27 young women who served during World War II in the logging industry. Told in simple sentences with a counting cadence, the story reads like a soothing lullaby. Watercolor illustrations portray the forests as lush green areas where these women worked hard to do their jobs and lived far from their families and homes. The story does not read as exceptionalism, but clearly explains the duty these "Lumber Jills" agreed to take on, with "two hands willing to work and one stout heart." In addition to outlining the physical tasks these women completed, the illustrations portray the camaraderie between the women, playing card games, singing, and visiting the town dance hall on the weekends. This title is sweet and informative; it mentions how many trees were cut and sent to war, how the lumber from those trees helped the war effort, and gently addresses the sacrifices these young women made to leave their families to help where they were needed. A brief explanation about the British Women's Timber Corps is included at the end of the book, as well as an acknowledgment that women worked in lumberyards and logging facilities all over North America. VERDICT Beautiful illustrations and simplistic storytelling make this a good pick for very early readers, but the content and conversation starters also keep it appealing for first- and second-grade interests. Recommended for public and early elementary school libraries.-Mandy Simon, State Library of Ohio

Edition details

• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0807547956
• ISBN 13: 9780807547953
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Hickey Katie
• Number of pages: 32