A Bear in War

Based on a true story, the moving letters of a Canadian family to their father overseas fighting in World War I provides a granddaughter insight to the love and loss they experienced during such a tragic period in history.

Based on debut author Innes’ family history, this moving picture book, co-authored by Endrulat, blurs the border between fiction and nonfiction as it tells the story of Innes’ great-grandfather, a Canadian soldier killed in the trenches of World War I. The narrator is a teddy bear, with whom Aileen, 10, shares her secrets about life on a farm in Quebec. Together, the words and warm, unframed illustrations show the loving family and their wrenching parting when Daddy is sent to fight. Aileen mails Teddy to Daddy “to remind him of home and to keep him safe,” and Teddy tells how he watches the war from Daddy’s front pocket until, in 1917, Daddy dies in battle. Then a soldier sends Teddy back to his family with Daddy’s uniform and medals, all of which are now in the Canadian War Museum. The bear’s viewpoint and the sepia-toned family photos set the personal loss against the harsh history, which is further detailed in recruiting posters, medals, and the final death report of Daddy, “killed in action.” Innes’ epilogue completes this moving offering. Grades 2-5. --Hazel Rochman